This presentation is based on Tragakes E. and Lessof S. In: Tragakes E., ed. Health care systems in transition: Russian Federation. Copenhagen, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, 2003: 5(3) publication available from www.who.dk web site, references at this book and presentation by Professor S. Plavinsky “Prosperity, Health, Demography, Government and World - Perspectives for Russia” at www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec17261/index.htm web address.