Assessment of the Prevalence of Behavioral Risk Factors and Their Impact on the Health of the Adult Population in the Russian Federation

Abstract

The objective of this study is to substantiate the system of indicators for assessing behavioral risk factors (tobacco use, alcohol consumption, detrimental diet patterns, lack of physical activity) and their impact on public health in the Russian Federation based on the authors’ methodology for assessing the impact of behavioral risk factors on the health of the adult population using the materials of the statistical survey of the health status of the population (conducted by Rosstat in 2021). For each risk factor, two main indicators were calculated: the prevalence of the risk factor and its impact on public health according to demographic characteristics. The scale of such a risk factor as smoking was assessed in terms of consumption of various types of tobacco and nicotine-containing products and the prevalence of nicotine addiction of varying severity. Alcohol consumption as a behavioral risk factor was assessed in the context of the relationship between the amount of consumption of various alcoholic products and the degree of health risk. The impact of a detrimental diet was estimated by the body mass index for overweight and obesity, with the account to the physical activity of Russian citizens. According to the authors, the proposed set of indicators and specific calculation results can be used to organize continuous monitoring of the prevalence of behavioral risk factors and their impact on the health of the population of the Russian Federation. As a result, a more effective response of the healthcare system and strengthening of interagency cooperation to reduce non-communicable diseases is possible.