Healthy Life Forum programme

February 13
10:00–11:30
Increasing the Birth Rate and Promoting Children’s Health Are Key Priorities Russia is currently facing a serious demographic challenge in the form of a declining birth rate. In order to overcome this problem, key objectives need to be met: people need strong motivation to have their first and subsequent children, there mu...
Russia is currently facing a serious demographic challenge in the form of a declining birth rate. In order to overcome this problem, key objectives need to be met: people need strong motivation to have their first and subsequent children, there must be reproductive healthcare for both women and men, child mortality needs to be reduced, and young families need to be provided with affordable housing. Three federal projects focused on solving these challenges have already been launched: ‘Financial Support for Families with Newborn Children’, ‘Facilitating Employment for Women – Establishing Conditions for Pre-School Education of Children up to the Age of Three’ (with the objective of increasing the birth rate from 1.6 to 1.7 by 2024), and ‘Developing Child Healthcare’ (with the objective of reducing infant mortality and mortality among children aged 0–17 by 20% by 2024). How can a replacement fertility level be ensured in Russia? Are the measures envisaged by federal projects to create conditions which will encourage people to have children sufficient? What new technologies could help increase the birth rate? What are the roles of different agencies, and of the family, in reducing mortality among children and teenagers? What must be done in healthcare to ensure the health of our children: prevention through inoculation, improved primary care, or public health campaigns?














10:00–11:30
Public Health in the Regions Accredited by the Commission of the Coordinating Council for the Development of Continuing Medical Education Increasing healthy life expectancy from the present 63 years to 67 years is a crucial national objective and very important for Russia. Public health programmes target large population groups and are implemented by a variety of agencies. They cove...
Increasing healthy life expectancy from the present 63 years to 67 years is a crucial national objective and very important for Russia. Public health programmes target large population groups and are implemented by a variety of agencies. They cover the public health and epidemiological wellbeing of the population, vaccinations, motivating people to reject harmful lifestyle choices, measures to prohibit and restrict the sale of alcohol and tobacco and to encourage healthy eating, conducting preventative examinations, and other measures to improve public health. Three federal projects directly aim to achieve this goal – ‘Strengthening Public Health’, ‘Sport as a Part of Everyday Life’ and ‘Development of the Primary Healthcare System’. What do people need to know about a healthy lifestyle? What role do the heads of municipalities and regions play in implementing public healthcare programmes? What targets should be set to reduce the popularity of harmful lifestyle choices? What are the main focuses for modernizing centres? What role do volunteers play in promoting public health?














10:00–11:30
Infectious Diseases: How to Meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030? Although communicable diseases account for a smaller number of deaths in developed countries, they still result in substantial losses. In Russia, infectious diseases cause just 2% of deaths, but those who die are primarily young citizens of workin...
Although communicable diseases account for a smaller number of deaths in developed countries, they still result in substantial losses. In Russia, infectious diseases cause just 2% of deaths, but those who die are primarily young citizens of working age. The intensive migration of the population and developed tourism exacerbate this problem. As a result, new infections are appearing and old ones are making a return in new forms that are resistant to known drugs. According to WHO’s global plan for 2030, it is essential to end the AIDS epidemic, eliminate the hepatitis virus, and significantly reduce tuberculosis infection and mortality rates. In order to meet these challenges, it is vital to continuously monitor the situation, to intensively develop scientific research, and to put in place developed infrastructure and qualified staff, together with powerful prevention programmes and affordable drugs. How can the targets in WHO’s global plan be met in Russia? What problems must be overcome with respect to organizing the work of an infection control service and providing it with resources? Are there any new vaccines and drugs that could in principle have an impact on reducing mortality and illness caused by infectious diseases? How can hospital-acquired infections best be fought?











10:00–11:30
Insurance Companies in Healthcare: For and Against Healthcare can be funded by the state or by private wealth, including through voluntary medical insurance (VMI). State guarantees are paid via the budget and a system of compulsory medical insurance (CMI). Opinions differ as to the advantages of o...
Healthcare can be funded by the state or by private wealth, including through voluntary medical insurance (VMI). State guarantees are paid via the budget and a system of compulsory medical insurance (CMI). Opinions differ as to the advantages of one system or the other, and every country must decide on its own solution. In Russia, CMI replaced the budgetary model more than 25 years ago. The money collected by CMI funds is allocated in accordance with established state law to medical institutions via private insurance companies. They are also responsible for monitoring the quality of healthcare, and for respecting and protecting the rights of the insured. Many experts believe, however, that these functions could be managed independently by CMI funds and the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor). In other countries, the functions of insurance companies are far broader: they collect contributions and participate in the setting of tariffs, but, most significantly, they also bear the financial risks in the event of increased volumes of healthcare provision. For this reason, they have a direct interest in disease prevention and early detection. What model for financing state guarantees (budgetary or insurance-based) is optimal for Russia and why? What are the features of a fully-fledged CMI model? Who could shoulder the functions of insurance companies in the CMI sector? Could insurance representatives help patients? What are the prospects for voluntary medical and pharmaceutical insurance in the Russian Federation?













10:00–11:30
Federal Project ‘Fighting Cancer’: 85 Regional Approaches Fighting cancer is currently one of the government’s top priorities. Cancer is the second leading cause of death and ranks third in terms of the number of years of life lost in Russia. According to WHO, the number of oncological diseases has incre...
Fighting cancer is currently one of the government’s top priorities. Cancer is the second leading cause of death and ranks third in terms of the number of years of life lost in Russia. According to WHO, the number of oncological diseases has increased by roughly 15% over the last ten years, and cancer will be the top cause of death around the world over the next 5–7 years. The federal project ‘Fighting Cancer’ aims to reduce the mortality rate from tumours, including malignant tumours, to 185 cases per 100,000 people by 2024. In 2019, the regions will have to develop and launch regional programmes based on the specific issues they each face. What challenges do the regions face in developing specialized cancer programmes? What best practices can and should be used? What priorities should be set when developing programmes? What modern technologies can significantly increase effectiveness in preventing cancer?











12:00–13:30
The State, Banks, and the Medical Industry: Is Effective Cooperation Possible? In partnership with Promsvyazbank Effective investment in healthcare will enhance the availability of medical care. The main condition for generating interest among investors is the large and growing market for medical services. Given the population’s insufficient purchasing power...
Effective investment in healthcare will enhance the availability of medical care. The main condition for generating interest among investors is the large and growing market for medical services. Given the population’s insufficient purchasing power, the government is the main customer for medicine, including through the Healthcare National Project. This project will provide a powerful incentive for investment in the development of the medical and pharmaceutical industry, computerization, medical services, and education. Another condition is the creation of clear and mutually beneficial rules of cooperation between the state, banks, and business. What volume of the medical services market and supporting industries are investors interested in? What is preventing investors from boosting their investments today? What guarantees should the government offer to ensure stable investment? What areas of investment will ensure a significant social effect?



















12:00–13:30
Reducing Mortality from Non-Communicable Diseases: Implementing Federal Projects Accredited by the Commission of the Coordinating Council for the Development of Continuing Medical Education The major non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in Russia and represent a heavy burden for the national economy. The key objectives of the Healthcare National Project are to reduce mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseas...
The major non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in Russia and represent a heavy burden for the national economy. The key objectives of the Healthcare National Project are to reduce mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease and to combat the spread of diabetes. In order to achieve this, outpatient cancer care centres will be created, regional vascular centres and primary vascular care departments will be refurbished, nuclear medicine centres have been built, a sufficient amount of drug therapy has been provided for oncological diseases, and large-scale preventive measures will be conducted. Are the measures envisaged by the Healthcare National Project sufficient to significantly reduce mortality, morbidity, and disability from major non-communicable diseases? What are the risks of implementing federal projects that aim to reduce mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseases? Are there new breakthrough medications for the treatment and prevention of non-communicable diseases? What is the role of the population and municipal leaders in preventing common diseases?


















12:00–13:30
Overcoming Gaps in the Quality of Healthcare: Staff and Management Accredited by the Commission of the Coordinating Council for the Development of Continuing Medical Education According to experts, low-quality healthcare is the third largest cause of death in the US. These indicators may be equally worrying in Russia. This can be avoided consistently and systematically by implementing measures to ensure access to health...
According to experts, low-quality healthcare is the third largest cause of death in the US. These indicators may be equally worrying in Russia. This can be avoided consistently and systematically by implementing measures to ensure access to healthcare – especially in the primary healthcare system, where most episodes begin and end. The quality of care can be improved by increasing the level of qualifications earned by staff, implementing clinical recommendations, and creating a control system at all levels – from the national level down to specific organizations. The entire healthcare system is dependent on the effectiveness of primary healthcare. What challenges do the Healthcare and Demographics national projects pose for the medical training system? What skills will doctors need to possess by 2024? What is more effective in obtaining the best results from a practitioner – strict monitoring or positive motivation? How can information about healthcare quality be made as transparent as possible? How can staff shortages be overcome?











12:00–13:30
The Digitalization of Healthcare: Investing to Save Lives Within the context of the project to create a single digital framework based on the Unified State Healthcare Information System, it is planned that a fully-fledged information system will be implemented in each of Russia’s 85 regions in accordance...
Within the context of the project to create a single digital framework based on the Unified State Healthcare Information System, it is planned that a fully-fledged information system will be implemented in each of Russia’s 85 regions in accordance with uniform criteria. The complete digitalization of Russian healthcare will make it possible to accelerate the processes that take place within medical organizations, transfer the necessary information together with patients, and organize consultations without time and geographical limitations. Great hope is placed on the application of artificial intelligence technology in medicine, which will, in the near future, facilitate the transition to high-precision and individualized medicine. All this will change the face of healthcare and make it more effective. What role will medical organizations and regions play in the project to create a single digital framework? What stage has the development of highly intelligent medical technologies reached in Russia? How will full digitalization transform the healthcare provision system today and in the near future?















12:00–13:30
Education: The Key to Development for Individuals, Society, and the State Developing new generation employees is an essential condition for the successful implementation of all the national projects. Creating an infrastructure that will ensure the availability of human resources in all areas of life requires uniting the...
Developing new generation employees is an essential condition for the successful implementation of all the national projects. Creating an infrastructure that will ensure the availability of human resources in all areas of life requires uniting the efforts of all stakeholders, from the state, to academic institutions, to businesses and families. Present conditions demand an overhaul of the education system, a strengthening of the link between knowledge and skills acquired in education and the demands of the market, the creation of a unified process for personal physical and spiritual development, and a process for socialization in the interests of society and the state. That is why the key targets include building an effective system for identifying, supporting, and developing skills and talents in children and young people, and implementing public education programmes. What key problems must to solved on the road to improving Russia’s system of education and workforce training? What forms of education are relevant in the twenty-first century, and what qualities must we cultivate in the new generations? How can the goals set for the Education National Project be achieved by 2024? What problems do the regions face in light of the implementation of the Education National Project?








12:00–13:30
Healthy Eating as Part of a Healthy Life: The Role of Consumers, the Food Industry, and the State Healthy eating is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. Recent years have seen modern consumers develop a new approach to choosing food products, preferring those which meet the requirements of a balanced diet and are enriched with biologically...
Healthy eating is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. Recent years have seen modern consumers develop a new approach to choosing food products, preferring those which meet the requirements of a balanced diet and are enriched with biologically active ingredients. The functional and specialized food product market is a promising area for investment and improving people’s quality of life. At the same time, a number of points of view exist as to what is meant by ‘healthy eating’. Promoting sensible eating takes on particular importance in these conditions. What needs to be changed in the legislative regulation of the ‘healthy’ food market? What conditions must be put in place for the industry? How can a culture of healthy eating be created in society? How can consumers be better informed through implementing advanced food product labelling systems?











14:30–16:00
Sport for All: How to Achieve the Stated Goal In his May Decree, the Russian President set a target to increase the percentage of citizens engaging in regular physical exercise and sport to 55% by 2024. As part of the Sport as a Part of Everyday Life National Project, an additional 23.5 milli...
In his May Decree, the Russian President set a target to increase the percentage of citizens engaging in regular physical exercise and sport to 55% by 2024. As part of the Sport as a Part of Everyday Life National Project, an additional 23.5 million people need to be involved in sports in the next six years. This ambitious target can only be reached through systematic cooperation between federal and regional government agencies, leaders of major companies, and all participants in the healthy lifestyle industry. Cross-sectoral clusters (medicine, tourism, hotels, services, transport, property, and eco-products) have a special importance in this respect. What measures and programmes are being implemented to improve the population’s access to sports facilities? How do regional administrations take account of citizens’ healthcare needs when developing the urban environment? What are major companies doing to encourage their employees to engage in sport? What tools does the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation have to regulate the healthy lifestyle industry, and what additional regulatory acts must be taken to support popular sport?










14:30–16:00
Demand for Beauty: How to Look 10 Years Younger in 10 Years Today, aesthetic medicine aims not only to improve people’s appearances, but also to take a comprehensive approach to overall health issues, while helping people to be self-confident, young, and beautiful. Today, the main objective of anti-ageing ...
Today, aesthetic medicine aims not only to improve people’s appearances, but also to take a comprehensive approach to overall health issues, while helping people to be self-confident, young, and beautiful. Today, the main objective of anti-ageing medicine is to increase life expectancy and enhance quality of life by preserving the body’s functional capabilities as much as possible. It is not simply a matter of correcting external signs of ageing, but also of solving internal problems. Good health, high stress tolerance, performance ability, visual appeal, and freshness – these are the aspects on which people spend considerable resources. Utilizing high technology to create a beautiful image has accelerated the pace at which people search for and apply the latest scientific developments and technologies. In terms of investing in beauty, how can we find the golden mean in applying the technology of aesthetic medicine? What modern medical therapies are contributing to the maximum restoration of a person’s features? What international experience can be applied in this industry? What are the most popular myths in the beauty industry?





14:30–16:00
A System of Universal Medicine Provision: Key to Achieving the National Goal Accredited by the Commission of the Coordinating Council for the Development of Continuing Medical Education Achieving life expectancy of 78 by 2024 is a multifaceted challenge, dependent to equal degrees on the population’s income level, lifestyle, and on the effectiveness of the healthcare system. Largely thanks to a system of medicine provision, devel...
Achieving life expectancy of 78 by 2024 is a multifaceted challenge, dependent to equal degrees on the population’s income level, lifestyle, and on the effectiveness of the healthcare system. Largely thanks to a system of medicine provision, developed countries have mostly succeeded in increasing life expectancy over the last 20 years. In Russia, access to free drugs through doctors’ prescriptions is today enjoyed only by those citizens who receive social benefits or who suffer from specific illnesses. Government expenditure in Russia is three times lower in this respect than in European Union countries with a similar level of economic development. Implementing a system of universal medicine provision will help to stop serious illnesses from getting worse and leading to complications, reduce the use of more long-term forms of healthcare, and have a positive impact on social attitudes. How much needs to be spent on medicine supply on a national scale? What is the government’s role in this expenditure? What should the implementation of a universal medicine provision system begin with? How can long-term medicine needs be determined? Are there provisions for reducing the costs of medicinal products by increasing the volume of public procurement?


















14:30–16:00
Quality of Life for the Older Generation: Programme Implementation The Demographics National Project envisages the implementation of a federal project entitled ‘The Older Generation’. The key objective is to extend healthy life expectancy to 67 years and reduce Russia’s mortality rate. Achieving this will require...
The Demographics National Project envisages the implementation of a federal project entitled ‘The Older Generation’. The key objective is to extend healthy life expectancy to 67 years and reduce Russia’s mortality rate. Achieving this will require a comprehensive approach, including ensuring access to medical care, creating a system for long-term treatment and an environment conducive to the delivery of social services, and campaigning to promote a caring attitude towards the elderly. A crucial part of this is actively engaging the older generation in the charitable sector, or so-called ‘silver volunteering’, in order to help bring the over-55s together. The Russian Association of Volunteer Centres is already implementing a federal programme entitled ‘Young at Heart’, thanks to which volunteering centres are opening in Russia’s regions and providing a foundation for training programmes and the creation of a community of leaders. What impact could the results of regional projects have on active longevity? How many citizens in the Russian Federation need long-term care services, and how much money is required for this? How should financial responsibility be distributed among citizens and the government when creating a system of long-term care? What medical services do older citizens need the most? How can we create a safe environment for the older generation to live in?




















14:30–16:00
How to Improve the Quality of Medical Services in Russia and Increase Exports Accredited by the Commission of the Coordinating Council for the Development of Continuing Medical Education The President of the Russian Federation gave instructions to increase exports of medical services to USD 1 billion per year by 2024. Today, there are about 110,000 foreign medical tourists coming to Russia per year. The key to increasing the inflo...
The President of the Russian Federation gave instructions to increase exports of medical services to USD 1 billion per year by 2024. Today, there are about 110,000 foreign medical tourists coming to Russia per year. The key to increasing the inflow of medical tourists is to guarantee high-quality healthcare at the country’s medical and resort institutions as well as to ensure the healthcare network has the available capacity. What measures should be taken to guarantee that medical tourists are provided with a quality of healthcare that is consistent with international standards? How can we make Russia’s resort industry accessible to citizens of the Russian Federation and attractive to medical tourists? Would an increased inflow of medical tourists reduce the availability of healthcare for Russian citizens? How should patients from other countries be informed about the opportunities offered by Russian medical and health institutions?















14:30–16:00
Personalized Medicine: Could Scientific Research Become a Successful Business? In April 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation approved a concept of predictive, preventive, participatory, and personalized medicine, or P4 medicine. Today, it is seeing rapid growth in many countries, and the market for these se...
In April 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation approved a concept of predictive, preventive, participatory, and personalized medicine, or P4 medicine. Today, it is seeing rapid growth in many countries, and the market for these services is increasing by 30% on average every year. The public–private partnership mechanism is an effective tool for implementing the concept. As global experience shows, collaboration between the state and business in various projects to modernize the healthcare system is more productive. In Russia, the integration of private investors into public healthcare is still in the early stages. Is it possible to develop personalized medicine in Russia through public–private partnerships? What form might financial models for attracting private capital to the healthcare system take? What P4 medicine services are likely to be developed in the near future?