Behavioral Strategies Of The Russian Population To Protect Its Health: New Challenges And Opportunities[Поведенческие Стратегии Российского Населения По Охране Своего Здоровья: Новые Вызовы И Возможности]

The scientific report presents a study conducted by the Research Center of Socio-Political Monitoring of the School of Public Policy and Management at RANEPA Institute for Social Sciences. The relevance of the study: Preserving and strengthening the health of the population is a priority task for the Russian state. Currently, this problem is acquiring special significance in the context of changes in the social reality associated with a challenging COVID-19 pandemic situation. The purpose of the study is to analyze the behavioral strategies of the population related to maintaining and improving their health. The objectives of the study are related to assessing the degree of influence of the main behavioral factors on the health and social well-being of the citizens, with an assessment of the measures taken by the state to form behavioral strategies of the population aimed at protecting and strengthening their health. The subject of the study is the prevalence of various types of behavioral strategies and their impact on the health status and social well-being of representatives of different socio-demographic groups and strata. Methods: The main source of empirical information was the all-Russian sociological survey of the population, conducted on April 8- 19, 2021 using the method of formalized personal interviews at the respondents’ place of residence. 1,500 people aged 18 and over were interviewed in 30 regions of the Russian Federation. Results: The study records an increase in the people’s positive self-perception of their health over the past two decades; at the same time, the respondents are susceptible to a wide range of diseases. There is an increase in demand for qualified medical care in case of illness; however, self-medication remains widespread, which can negatively affect people's health. The people’s actual behavior often does not correspond to their ideas about a healthy lifestyle. Russians do not have a well-developed culture of healthy lifestyles; they lack the habit of daily positive activities to maintain and strengthen their health. In general, the results of the study show insufficiency of the measures taken by the state to create conditions for strengthening the public health. Conclusions. The problems identified show the need to increase the availability of medical care, improve health awareness of the public, expand incentives for self-preservation and health promotion. Scientific novelty. The value of this study lies in obtaining up-to-date information on the priorities of the Russian citizens, their self-preservation behavior in a force majeure situation of an epidemiological crisis and its consequences, which can contribute to promoting managerial decisions in healthcare and social development that are adequate to the needs of the population.