Self-preservation behavior as the condition for reducing mortality and increasing life expectancy

The article examines specifics of the impact of behavioral factors on mortality and morbidity. It shows that in the country on the whole the number of deaths exceeded the number of births by 1.2 times in January-August 2018, and in 29 subjects of the Russian Federation by 1.5-1.9 times. It is noted that in the conditions of socio-economic instability the living standards of most population are declining as well as the confidence in the future. This directly affects the psychological tension and the indicators of morbidity and premature mortality. Increase in the incidence of cancer is an important indicator of the seriousness of situation. Every year about 0.5 million Russians are diagnosed with cancer, the cancer mortality rate is around 280000 per year. It has been found that behavioral factor a priori determines life expectancy, and in view of this, the article substantiates the importance of studying self-preservation behavior of the population at the Federal level. It is shown that in Russian society the attitudes of self-destructive behavior of the population are formed, while in order to overcome the negative demographic trends in Russia it is necessary to change the attitude of people to their health with the help of the development of attitudes of self-preservation behavior. The main task of studying the self-preservation behavior of the population is to identify the role of a greater number of heterogeneous factors in determining the really observed life of the population of different regions. At the same time, it is necessary to look not only for the immediate cause, but also for the «causes» associated with a complex of factors. It is concluded, that lack of practical research and measures to improve public health and form a high culture of self-preservation behavior of the population, puts achievement of the goals of the State social and demographic policy at risk. It is proposed to pay a special attention to elaboration of the State strategy for reducing mortality and increasing life expectancy.