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  • The Role of Medical Organizations and Pharmaceutical Business in Raising Health Awareness: Russian and Foreign Experience

The Role of Medical Organizations and Pharmaceutical Business in Raising Health Awareness: Russian and Foreign Experience

Student: Kukushkin Mikhail

Supervisor: Elena A. Tarasenko

Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences

Educational Programme: Health Care Administration and Economics (Master)

Final Grade: 8

Year of Graduation: 2021

The level of health literacy of the population is linked with the problems of accessibility and quality of medical care. Being a trusted good, medical care is difficult for its direct consumer to evaluate. Its quality can only be assessed by a patient with at least basic knowledge of health care. In turn, the availability of health care also depends on people's awareness of health issues, since only a literate patient can generate informed demand and, thus, guide the development of the entire health care system. The problem of health literacy of the population is universal, and there are many approaches to the definition of this term. There are also many methods for quantifying health literacy. However, there is no ideal way to assess it. None of the methods fully assess the ability to find, understand and use health-related information. While influencing the level of health literacy, economic, social and cultural aspects are closely intertwined and ultimately affect people's health. However, the ability of a person to find and interpret information about health, as well as to be confident in this interpretation, makes possible a conscious level of interaction with health care systems. In Russia and foreign countries medical organizations and pharmaceutical companies have gained practical experience of participating in projects aimed at increasing people's health literacy. At the same time these projects are often cross-sectoral. Partners of pharmaceutical companies are represented by both charitable foundations and state medical organizations. Given the persistent gap in life expectancy and mortality from noncommunicable diseases with OECD countries, Russian government should pay attention to all approaches that have proven to be effective. Today, despite the lack of emphasis on health literacy, understanding its key role in preserving health by people who shape health policy is a good signal. At the same time it is important to realize that the way to achieve goals is not by setting a deadline or trying to quickly solve a problem. It is more important to move forward decisively, look back at the results and admit mistakes in time.

Full text (added May 17, 2021)

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