RESUMO
The demographic processes significantly affect society demographic burden. The geopolitical position of Russia with predominance of rural territories determines the need in developing specific model of medical and demographic policy in rural territories. The situation with population health and health care support in rural areas remains difficult due to the prevailing demographic, economic, territorial, medical, social and organizational and managerial factors of rural life. PURPOSE OF STUDY: To develop proposals improving health care in rural areas based on results of analysis of medical and demographic indices of incidence and accessibility of medical care to rural residents. METHODS: statistical, direct observation, analytical. RESULTS: The current medical and demographic situation in the country determined the output of Law No. 350-FZ on raising the retirement age in Russia, which was signed on October 3, 2018 by Vladimir Putin. Increasing the retirement age requires development of set of measures protecting population health of pre-retirement age. The article presents analysis of urban and rural population health in the Russian Federation in age-gender dependence (the younger than able-bodied, the able-bodied and the older than able-bodied groups of population). A comparative analysis of medical and demographic indices of urban and rural population in dynamics in 2005-2018 is presented. The article also presents analysis of total and primary morbidity of total urban and rural population in the Russian Federation according classes of diseases (2018) and in dynamics (2010-2018). It is established that decreasing of indices of general and primary morbidity is the result of reduced detection, deterioration of preventive and dispensary activities in rural areas and limited availability of medical care in rural settlements. The need for medical and social care of the able-bodied human potential in rural areas and the development of programs for their health conservation is substantiated. To overcome aftermaths of demographic crisis in rural areas, it is necessary to modernize demographic and economic policy in rural areas. The tasks of the municipal and Federal authorities are to provide not only declarative «program¼ support, but also tangible resources, as well as practices to implement strategic tasks in rural areas. The article presents proposals for overcoming the medical and demographic crisis in rural areas.