Health in the system of life values of youth: experience of regional research

The present scientific article aims at determining the specifics of health as a life value of youth. Methodological foundations of this research are represented by the provisions of a comprehensive approach to the problem of man (B.G. Ananyev), the conception of axiological orientations, based on the direct ranking of values (M. Rokich). The relevance of the work is determined by the level and quality of health of the Russian young generation. The study identified the value-semantic setting of students' healthy lifestyle, acting as a basis of formation of life strategies of self-care. Questionnaire-based survey of younger and older age cohorts of students revealed that health for the first group is a terminal value, and for the second is instrumental. It is noted that a significant component of the worldview of youth is self-preservation behavior, the formation of which in a period of significant social change in society is extremely difficult and controversial. This is due to a serious reassessment of normative ideas about life values and priorities, social norms are reduced and minimized traditions of health preservation. The analysis of agents and means of formation of healthy lifestyle has shown that at the macrolevel it is implemented in three directions: promotion of healthy lifestyles, training and education of healthy lifestyles, the organization of appropriate conditions for leading a healthy lifestyle.