In order to reach an average life expectancy in Russia of 78 years by 2030, it is first necessary to reach the pre-pandemic level, as well as to take into account medical factors, the scientific director of the Center for the Study of Population Problems of the Faculty of Economics of Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov Valery Elizarov.
The scientist recalled that in the May 2018 decree, a strategy was announced to achieve an average life expectancy in Russia of 78 years by 2024, and 80 years by 2030. However, in a decree from 2020, the dates were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. This may also be due to the fact that due to the fight against coronavirus, medical examinations and control over patients with chronic diseases were postponed, the specialist emphasized.
“To reach an average life expectancy of 78 years by 2030, you first need to reach the pre-pandemic level, and the pandemic is not over yet. Of the measures announced by the president, I think that medical examination for all ages, which will begin in July, will be of great help. Thus, it will be possible to prevent the occurrence and development of chronic diseases, which will help reduce mortality from cardiovascular and oncological diseases. The sooner it is revealed, the more chances there are to cure and prolong a person’s life, ”Elizarov said on Wednesday, April 21, in an interview with Izvestia.
The scientist also noted another factor affecting life expectancy – the amount of stress associated not only with the pandemic, but also with the economy.
“Our standard of living has not been growing for many years, real incomes are falling, and the economic growth rate is low. Therefore, we need to improve life at all levels – and not just stagnation, as it is now, ”he stressed.
The expert also called the development of ambulance services, especially in small towns, as another factor.
Earlier on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the announcement of a message to the Federal Assembly, said that the average life expectancy in Russia by 2030 should reach 78 years. He also pointed to the disappointing statistics, noting that in the context of the spread of coronavirus, the task is very difficult.
On March 31, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, said that the demographic situation in the country has not yet been corrected.
In 2019, life expectancy in Russia reached an all-time high of 73.4 years.