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Economists at HSE University have assessed the impact of smoking, alcohol consumption and sports participation on life expectancy in Russia. These factors were found to vary significantly across regions; therefore, efforts to promote healthy lifestyles in each region should take into account local characteristics. The paper has been published in Public Health.
Life expectancy at birth (LE) is one of the most significant public health indicators which must be factored into public policy decisions. However, large-scale studies have not yet been conducted in Russia to help in understanding what factors impact this indicator.
Researchers at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences used official statistics from Rosstat to analyse the effects of smoking, alcohol consumption, and sports participation on the life expectancy of Russians. This study marks the first attempt to quantify the influence of several significant lifestyle factors on the life expectancy of both men and women in Russian regions.
The analysis has revealed significant variations in life expectancy across Russian regions. Thus, in 2019, while residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg could expect to live 78.4 and 76.3 years, respectively, the life expectancy of Chukotka residents was just 68.1 years. In addition to Russia's two capitals, higher life expectancy was found in the republics of Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and North Ossetia—Alania.
The data used by the researchers in their calculations included the proportion of men and women who smoke, as well as those who engage in regular physical activity (at least twice a week), by region. Alcohol consumption was estimated in litres of ethanol per capita of the adult population in each region for a given calendar year, also considering the proportion of the population consuming alcohol. Economic variables were used as control factors, including real per capita income, unemployment rate, urban population share, and the Gini coefficient reflecting income stratification in society, as well as variables associated with healthcare provision.
The researchers found the lowest levels of alcohol consumption in the republics of Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and North Ossetia—Alania, and the highest levels is in the regions of Magadan and Sakhalin, the Komi Republic, and the Kamchatka Territory. Overall, alcohol consumption decreased in 64 out of the 77 regions in 2020 compared to 2014. The proportion of drinkers ranged from 24% to 81% of the adult population, reflecting the cultural and religious diversity among Russian regions.
The study revealed that by 2020, most regions exhibited a slight decrease in the proportion of men and women who smoke. However, the proportion of smokers varies remarkably from 20% to 70% among men and from almost 0% to 28% among women.
The proportion of adult population participating in sports demonstrated positive dynamics, with an increase observed in 69 regions between 2014 and 2020. However, the researchers also note an exceptionally broad range of regional variations regarding participation in sports, spanning from 2% to 38% for women and from 3% to 53% for men. Sports are particularly popular in the Murmansk region, Chechnya, Dagestan, and Sakhalin, where between 25% and 45% of residents regularly attend sports clubs and fitness centres.
It is not news that alcohol and smoking have a negative impact on life expectancy, while regular exercise is positively associated with this indicator. However, significant regional disparities in terms of commitment to a healthy lifestyle are an important factor that should be considered when planning public policies concerning public health, physical education, and sports. These policies should be adapted based on the severity of related issues in each specific region.
Per capita income was found to have a negligible effect on life expectancy, whereas income inequality, measured by the Gini coefficient, makes a significant negative contribution to life expectancy. This aligns with the findings of several prior studies, where income inequality emerged as a significant factor contributing to a decline in health.
IQ
Liudmila Zasimova
Co-author of the paper, Assistant Professor, HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences