It is common knowledge that there are no absolutely healthy people in the modern world. This is also true for Russia, and Russian women in particular. A public opinion poll conducted in Russia yielded the following results: 7.9 per cent of the population consider themselves healthy; 46.5 per cent - subject to occasional illnesses; 41 per cent have chronic diseases; and 4.5 per cent think they are incurable. Notwithstanding, Russians have an advantage over other nations: their genes allow for the development of a healthy organism. The high death toll, shorter length of life, increase in the number of infectious and chronic diseases that have boomed in recent years result essentially from social disturbances. Change the living conditions and you will see the above mentioned rates change for the better. What is most important is that genetically sound constitution permits a Russia woman, under optimum conditions, give birth to healthy babies. Doctors have been trying with various success to help the Russian woman preserve health. Though the system of preventive treatment and early diagnosing of diseases has yet found its proper employment, 67.4 per cent of Russian women are treated in the regional polyclinics, 19.3 per cent - at medical centres, 8.6 per cent are treated by private doctors. A great number of Russian women (about 63.4 per cent) venture a course of treatment without first consulting a specialist.; and 5.5 per cent of women apply to healers.
The most 'popular' kind of medical service is dentistry - 54 per cent of the people questioned, then come gynecology - 36.2 per cent, and gastroenterology - 35 per cent. Many need a psychological treatment (this is especially relevant to housewives) - 32.8 per cent.
Sport plays an important part in healthcare. In recent years there have been a universal tendency among Russian girls and young women to go in for aerobics, shaping and gymnastics. The women of forty and more years old attend health groups. A vigorous development is experienced by socially prestigious kinds of sport that were not encouraged before, such as lawn-tennis and mountain skiing.
That is why we may assert that the Russian woman takes all effort to lead a healthy life and goes in for sport as a means of taking care of her health. She manages to allot time and money for skiing, swimming and shaping.
