Russia’s Public Health Challenges Undermine Its Economic Development, As Skilled Workers Leave Country

The Globalist: Public health challenges facing Russia today cripple its potential for tomorrow.
César Chelala, global health consultant and contributing editor for The Globalist

“For all the external economic fears worrying countries everywhere, Russia faces further, entirely homegrown challenges. In all likelihood, the most important one among them is public health, which directly undermines the country’s economic development. … Recent cuts in health care and education will not solve the problems affecting the Russian economy. At most, they are palliative measures that may help the budgetary outlook temporarily, but will not cure a sick economy. The direct connection between the public health crisis and Russia’s economic potential should be clear. … Failure to tackle Russia’s huge public health problems is likely to exacerbate the brain drain already under way” (10/3).

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