A BRIC IS SICK. HEALTH PATTERNS IN THE CONTEXT OF ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS IN RUSSIA FROM THE 2000’S

Abstract: Suspected associations between economic performance and health are contradictory in the literature. The present paper’s purpose was to contribute to this ongoing discussion by analyzing health trends of the 2000’s in the Russian Federation in the context of the economic downturns. Russia is a particularly interesting case study because of its financial instability and the devastated health status of the population. The thesis took a quantitative approach and analysis of statistical data was used as the main method for investigation drawing on Grossman´s health capital model, the counter-cyclical theory of stress, Wilkinson’s income inequality hypothesis and the health lifestyle theory of Cockerham. The paper found tentative evidence of the adverse relationship between economic downturns and health. Based on the results it is concluded that Russia has to provide better quality data, invest in health infrastructure, and raise awareness regarding risky lifestyle choices and unhealthy diet if they want to tackle health consequences with adequate responses.