The Mortality Crisis in Transitional Economies

The transition to a market economy in the countries of the former Soviet bloc was accompanied by a sudden and sharp increase in mortality of some three million people over the period 1989-96. This analysis of the upsurge in mortality rates aims to contribute to policies to tackle the crisis.
In spite of widespread expectations of improvements in living standards and health conditions, the transition to a market economy in the countries of the former Soviet bloc was accompanied by a sudden and sharp increase in mortality of some three million people over the period 1989-96. Such a crisis - which remains poorly explained and has received little or no attention from policymakers in the countries concerned - signals a societal crisis of unexpected proportions and uncertain political solutions. This book is an assessment of the mortality crisis in transitional economies. Contributions by demographers, economists, sociologists, epidemiologists, and health experts provide analysis of the upsurge in mortality rates, with the aim of contributing to the launch of vigorous policies to tackle the crisis. The book also reconciles long-term and short-term explanations of the mortality crisis and makes use of special micro data sets (or quasi-panels).