sis, recognized by Russia’s government as its number
one security issue, but one that has historically not
been met very successfully (Eberstadt 2010).
Other health indicators are alarming. Russian
youth have suicide rates far above those found in
other developed nations. Russia still has a serious al-
coholism problem. With the fall of the Soviet Union
and the opening of borders, plentiful narcotics arrived
and drug addiction has skyrocketed. High drug use
brought run-away HIV infection. A UN office esti-
mates 30,000 people are dying from drugs each year.
The Russian government estimates that more than
530,000 (in a total population of about 142 million) in
2009 were living with HIV. The UNAIDS organization
estimates the actual number to be more than double
the government estimate. The government has rec-
ognized this epidemic as an issue of strategic, social,
and economic security for Russia, and is mounting a
substantial program to fight the spread of this disease.
Critics argue the government program is misdirected
and fear it will not be effective (RIA Novosti 2010).
Illness and increased mortality rates translate to se-
curity concerns. They equate to added costs for care, a
less able work force (with work loss from illness) and
fewer able-bodied citizens available for public service,
including the military. Health problems, including
exposure to toxins that affect intelligence, can trans-
late to lowered ability to manage sophisticated socio-
economic infrastructures, or modern defense systems.
Severe population problems also affect a state’s ability
to create and maintain its power status and appear-
ance of strength.
sharon
(sharon)
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