ABSTRACT
In Russia, throughout a period viewed as a time of change and reform, including in the health care system, indicators of morbidity in the population have grown or remained at the same high rates. Consequently, the number of people who are potentially patients in need of skilled medical care must also have increased. In a situation where most of the population is poor, where it is impossible to care for one’s health naturally (through adequate nutrition, worthwhile rest, taking part in sport, living in comfortable and environmentally clean conditions), and where there are many stressors (loss or forced change of job, delays in payment of wages, low pay), the accessibility of health care and medical assistance is a particularly live issue.
