ABSTRACT
The intensification of gender differences in Russians’ standards of health and risk of becoming poor is one of the notable consequences of the 1990s’ reforms. It became apparent during that period, firstly, that Russian social policy seemed incapable of taking gender into account in the provision of health care and, secondly, that gender was a factor in socioeconomic inequalities and in the growth of poverty. So how has the ‘gender factor’ in Russia helped to strengthen – or weaken – the closed circle of poverty and sickness, which are mutually determined and at the same time mutually consequential? What possibilities are there for tackling this severe social problem? One strand of our research involved seeking answers to these questions.
