Russian Profile
Health Status

Tuberculosis

Despite cursory medical examinations, many refugees bring disease from their homelands with them as they emigrate to a new place. Russian refugees in particular are at risk for carrying disease, considering the chaotic state of health care in Russia currently. Some Russian immigrants have brought this highly infectious disease with them to Canada, causing a national health crisis. (source: http://www.canadafirst.net/immi-kill/tuberculosis_letter_to_mps.html)

Iron Deficiencies

Studies have found that Russian women and children, particularly those from poor families, do not ingest enough iron in their diets. The introduction of a free-market economy and the loss of previous suppliers has increased the cost of many basic foods in Russia, and many Russians cannot afford the foods they need to stay healthy. Most do not eat enough foods rich in readily absorbable heme iron, and this problem is compounded by the amount of iron inhibitors in most Russians' diets. Consumption of inhibitors such as grain products and tea results in up to a 58 percent loss of the  iron that Russians do intake.

Health care providers should pay careful attention to the diets of recent Russian immigrants, and monitor iron levels." An adequate supply of iron is especially important for the unborn child throughout pregnancy and for young children because their mental and physical development can be slowed by even moderate deficiencies," Dr. Martin Kohlmeier, research professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, said. "Brain and other sensitive tissues many suffer irreversible deficits."

Meal planning can help Russians increase their iron intake. They should be encouraged to pair foods high in vitamin C with food rich in iron to boost absorption, and should reduce their intake of iron inhibitors such as tea, rye bread, nuts and seeds (source: Williamson, Study Finds...).

Alcohol and Smoking

Russia now has the lowest life expectancy for males in a developed country (58 years), 13 years less than the expectancy for a white male American, and alcoholism is a major factor contributing to this problem (source: DaVanzo & Adamson, Russia's Demographic Crisis). Cheap vodka continues to lead to the demise of many Russian men, both directly through acute alcohol poisoning and liver damage, and indirectly as a contributor to other illness and death by violence. In the United States, 300 to 400 people die of acute alcohol poisoning each year while more than 30,000 Russians die of the same cause (source: Quinn-Judge, Russian Roulette).  Most Pentecostal Christians do not drink alcohol, helping them to avoid the perils of many Russian men. This is a health problem that should be considered for other Russian immigrants, however.

Smoking also contributes to Russians' health problems. Over 70 percent of men and more than 30 percent of women in Russia smoke. Smoking contributes to respiratory and coronary illnesses, and 53.3 of Russian deaths are related to heart and circulatory diseases (Quinn-Judge). This should be kept in mind when treating Russian immigrants.