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Physical Activity and Formation of Healthy Lifestyle: Scientific Foundations and Practices for Promoting Well-Being

SDG 3SDG 17

21 November, 15:00-18:00
Conference Hall of the Faculty of Economics

Session

Maintaining and improving public health is essential for the sustainable development of any country. However, healthcare systems around the world face serious challenges: from epidemics and pandemics to resource constraints and unequal access to healthcare.

In the CIS countries, as in many other regions, issues relating to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) remain pertinent.

This section is devoted to a comprehensive consideration of the issues of forming a healthy lifestyle culture through the prism of modern scientific research and effective practices. The focus is on interdisciplinary approaches to increasing the physical activity of the population as a key factor in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals).

Figures and Facts

In the CIS countries, as in many other regions, the following issues are especially important:

  • training qualified medical staff;
  • providing citizens with affordable and high-quality medical care;
  • reducing maternal and child mortality rates;
  • increasing life expectancy;
  • preventing and combating infectious and non-communicable diseases, as well as the factors that cause them.

SDG 3

Uneven development of medicine - the disparity in the availability of medical care between urban and rural regions
In Kazakhstan, 70% of doctors work in cities, even though 42% of the population live in rural areas (WHO, 2022).
In Uzbekistan, the number of medical institutions in Tashkent is 3-5 times higher than in the regions (UNICEF, 2021).
Staff shortage – outflow of qualified doctors and nurses, lack of specialists in remote areas.
Kyrgyzstan loses up to 200 doctors annually due to migration (Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, 2023).
There are only 5.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Tajikistan (compared to 37 in the EU and a WHO recommendation of 23) (WHO, 2023).
Kazakhstan: 30% of nurses plan to emigrate due to low salaries (Association of Nurses of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2023).
High incidence of non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer) due to lifestyle and environmental factors.
Diseases of the circulatory system cause more than 50% of deaths in Russia and Belarus (Rosstat, 2023).
Every 4th adult in Armenia suffers from hypertension (WHO, 2022).
Kazakhstan: 63% of all deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases (Statistics Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2023).
Uzbekistan: 25,000 new cancer cases are registered each year, 70% of which are detected at late stages (Oncology Centre of Uzbekistan, 2023).
Increase in infectious threats (HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis), as well as the risk of new pandemics
Kyrgyzstan: 23% of tuberculosis cases are multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) - one of the worst rates globally (Global Tuberculosis Report, 2023).
Tajikistan: Vaccination coverage (measles, rubella) fell from 97% (2019) to 89% (2023) due to gaps in the health system (WHO).
1.1 million people live with HIV in Russia, (Rospotrebnadzor, 2023), 60,000+ new cases are detected annually.
Insufficient healthcare funding, dependence on imported drugs and medical equipment
In Moldova, healthcare spending accounts for 6.1% of GDP (compared to 9.9% in the EU) (World Bank, 2023).
Tajikistan imports 90% of its drugs (UNCTAD, 2022).
Belarus spends 6.3% of its GDP on healthcare - below the WHO recommendation of 7-10% (Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, 2023).
Uzbekistan: 80% of drugs are imported, which makes them expensive for the population (Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2023).
Kyrgyzstan: only 3% of the budget is spent on disease prevention (Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, 2023).
High levels of maternal and child mortality in some countries of the region
In Turkmenistan, the maternal mortality rate is 42 per 100,000 live births, compared to 32.7 per 100,000 live births in Tajikistan (3-5 in the EU) (UNICEF, 2023) – one of the highest rates in the region (UNICEF).
15% of children under 5 suffer from malnutrition in Tajikistan (UNICEF, 2022).
Kyrgyzstan: Child mortality (under 5) is 18.2 per 1,000 live births (2022), which is higher than the global average (WHO).
Turkmenistan: Antenatal care coverage is 84%, but it drops to 65% in rural areas (UNFPA, 2023).
Access to healthcare
Azerbaijan: 35% of rural residents do not have access to basic healthcare (World Bank, 2023).
Armenia: 40% of the population postpones visiting a doctor due to financial difficulties (National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, 2023).
Moldova: 15% of rural hospitals have no running water and sewerage (UNICEF, 2022).

Challenges in Achieving SDG 17

Insufficient international cooperation in medical technology and knowledge exchange
CIS countries receive 5 times fewer grants for health than African countries (Global Fund, 2023).
Turkmenistan did not participate in WHO programmes on antimicrobial resistance until 2022.
Limited participation in global health initiatives due to bureaucratic and political barriers
Less than 1% of medical research in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan is funded from abroad (World Bank, 2023).
Kazakhstan attracted only $120 million in pharmaceutical investment in 2022.
Lack of investment in local health systems from international donorsв
CIS countries receive 5-7 times less funding for health from international donors than African countries (Global Fund, 2023).
In 2022–2023 the following was allocated for the entire CIS region (excluding Russia):
$120 million from the Global Fund (compared to $3.2 billion received by African countries).
$45 million from the World Bank (compared to $1.8 billion for South Asia).
Weak coordination between the CIS countries in the fight against common threats (epidemics, antimicrobial resistance)
Only 30% of the CIS countries exchange data on disease outbreaks (ECDC, 2023).
There is no unified system for purchasing vaccines: Belarus and Russia produce their own, while others depend on imports.
Insufficient development of digital healthcare (telemedicine, electronic medical records) due to the lack of infrastructure and regulation
Less than 10% of hospitals use electronic records in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan (ITU, 2023).
Telemedicine is only available to 5% of the population in Kyrgyzstan (Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, 2023).

Despite these challenges, experts and young researchers are ready to share their experience and best practices of their countries in order to achieve the global goal of health and well-being for all.

Discussion Issues

  • Scientific foundations of a healthy lifestyle, modern research in physiology of physical activity, the relationship between physical activity and mental health.
  • Successful national and regional programmes to increase physical activity and commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
  • International experience and the possibilities of its adaptation in the CIS countries.
  • Digital technologies for monitoring and promoting a healthy lifestyle, innovative ways of organising mass sports.

Programme

  • Welcoming Address of the Session Moderators
    Yulia Gushchina (Russia)
    Deputy Director for International Affairs, Institute of Medicine, RUDN University
    Laziz Niyazov (Uzbekistan)
    Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino, Associate Professor
  • Welcoming Address
    Tatiana Lebedeva (Russia)
    Olympic Champion in Athletics; Director, Sports and Recreation Centre, RUDN University; Head of Department, Department of Physical Education and Sports, RUDN University
  • Topic of the report
    The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Uzbekistan In Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Implementing the SDGs
    Laziz Niyazov (Uzbekistan)
    Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino, Associate Professor
  • Topic of the report
    Physical Culture and Sports as a Factor in Social Cohesion and Public Health: the Experience of the Kyrgyz Republic
    Artur Gevorgyan (Kyrgyzstan)
    Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Investment, State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic
  • Topic of the report
    Advancing the 2030 Agenda: Ethiopia's Journey Toward the Sustainable Development Goals
    Behailu Kirma (Ethiopia)
    Head of the Department of Programmes and Curricula, Senior Expert, Ministry of Education of Ethiopia
  • Topic of the report
    Fair Sport and Health Without Doping: Moral and Social Aspects in the Context of SDG 3
    David Musulbes (Russia)
    President, Russian Union of Athletes, Olympic Champion, two-time World Champion, six-time European Champion, Honoured Master of Sports of Russia, Honoured Coach of Russia
  • Topic of the report
    Healthy Lifestyle as a Factor In Reducing Surgical Risks: an Interdisciplinary Perspective
    Imankulova Asel Sansyzbaevna (Kyrgyzstan)
    Vice-Rector for Prospective Research, Salymbekov University
  • Topic of the report
    The Development of Youth Sports in Tajikistan as a Factor in Intensifying International Cooperation Between Universities in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan
    Larisa Orinina (Tajikistan)
    Head of the Sector for Relations with Foreign Partners and Academic Mobility, International Department, Tajik National University
  • Topic of the report
    Promoting Health and Well-Being Through Allergy Prevention: Uzbekistan's Experience Within SDG 3
    Victoria Garib (Uzbekistan)
    Professor, Head of the International Center for Molecular Allergology of the Republic of Uzbekistan
  • Topic of the report
    Student Health as a Contribution to Achieving SDG 3: the Role of Nutrition and Physical Activity
    Roman Khanferyan (Russia)
    Full Professor, Department of Nursing Management, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Allergology and Cosmetology, Institute of Medicine, RUDN University