Experts agreed that the combination of high Russian mortality rates and low birth rates will affect Russia profoundly in the coming decades.
High mortality rates are affecting all segments of the population. Russian statistics show that by 1999 life expectancy for men had fallen to 59.8 years, from a high of 64.3 in 1966 and to 72.2, from 74.2 in 1990 for women. The current mortality figures do not yet reflect the impact of the spread of AIDS and the rise in number of cases of infectious disease, including those of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis.The causes of early mortality are numerous, and include high rates of suicide, childhood injuries, alcoholism, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Some trends result from the reduction of the state's involvement and the absence of private structures to replace it, especially investment in medical technologies and drugs. Many health problems are the result of a health care focus on communicable diseases and nutrition without corresponding attention to prevention of chronic diseases. Experts disagreed as to whether economic improvement--which could bring enhanced nutrition, better water supply, and a reduction in crowded living conditions--would be sufficient to reverse negative health and demographic trends.