DOI: 10.7256/2310-8673.2020.1.31864

Abstract: This article presents analysis of concept and objectives of World Health Organization initiative “Healthy Cities”, developed in accordance with the Future Earth 2025 Vision. Attention is focused on the relevant documents and basic conceptual principles of the project. The WHO European Healthy Cities Network along with the peculiarities of Russian project are described. The author provides a forecast of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Human Wellbeing regarding the improvement of sanitary-epidemiological wellbeing of the population.  The article discusses the results of sampling observation of behavioral factors affecting public health conducted by the Russian Federal State Statistics Service in 2013, 2018, 2019; as well as fragment of the sociological survey results carried out by the author in 2013 and 2017 among the school and university students of Tyumen Region. The scientific novelty is associated with result acquired by the author from the analysis of secondary empirical data; as well as the formulated conclusions on the relevance of comprehensive approach towards preservation of health of urban population, need for creating equal access of all population groups to quality infrastructure, as well as prevention, diagnostics, treatment of diseases alongside restoration, preservation and improvement of health. It is recommended to use international and Russian experience of “Healthy Cities” initiatives for encouraging health-saving behavior of urban population, and development similar project “Healthy Village” for rural population.

DOI: 10.25136/2409-7144.2019.6.29868

Abstract: This article presents a theoretical analysis of sociological discourse on the inequality with regards to health. The author discusses the positions of the World Health Organization, foreign and Russian sociologists. The subject of this research is the inequality with regards to health, particularly, the specific use of the term. Inequality with regards to health is applicable not to any difference in health condition, but a certain type of the potentially preventable differences in health condition or significantly affecting health, which may be determines by the state policy. The article reveals the importance of social gradient in the formation of differences in health among the representatives of social groups. It is noted that for establishing “inequality with regards to health” it is necessary distinguish the difference in health condition among the groups with various levels of basic social benefits, considering that the groups with diminished opportunities and access to social benefits have the lowest health indicators. The author underlines the close link between the sustainable vector of policy towards the development of society and social justice with regards to health and wellbeing. Taking into account that the policy and socioeconomic strategy of the state are the source of potential for improving health and wellbeing of each citizen, and reducing the gap in health condition among different social groups. The conclusion is made that there is a need for the targeted comprehensive state policy of public health (considering the dependence on the political ideology, history and culture), improvement of administrative mechanism, development of institutional and civic potential in order to eliminate inequality with regards to health.