Posted on 06/27/2009 11:02:36 AM PDT by Schnucki
Alcohol kills more than half Russian men and women in their most productive years, according to new research.
The international study found three quarters of deaths among men and half of deaths among women aged 15-54 could be attributed to alcohol abuse.
Such a mortality rate for this age range is five times higher for men and three times higher for women when compared to Western Europe.
Professor David Zaridze, who led the research, worked out that alcohol had killed three million in the country since the failed attempt to restrict sales in 1987.
Some 30,000 people - twice the number the Soviet Union lost in its 10-year war with Afghanistan - now die from alcohol poisoning in Russia every year.
The research focused in three industrial cities - Tomsk, Barnaul and Biysk - and found alcohol was responsible for 52 per cent of deaths - 13 times the world average.
It said 'excess mortality from liver cancer, throat cancer, liver disease, and pancreatic disease is largely or wholly because alcohol caused the disease that caused death'.
The study, published in The Lancet medical journal, calls on the Russian government to stop or tax cheap alcohol.
This would mean 'confrontation with organised criminals and corrupt officials ... All that is needed is the political will to make public health a priority', it said.
Prof Zaridze, head of the Russian Cancer Research Centre, said: 'Each year 1.3 million people die from cardio-vascular diseases in Russia.
'Based on our investigation, it is possible to suggest that at least a third of these deaths is linked to alcohol consumption and not to any specific heart pathology.'
A United Nations report said in April that poor diet, leading to heart disease, heavy drinking and the high incidence of violent deaths may cut Russia's present
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Same as this country. Once the effects of Marxism takes hold, we’ll have the same or larger statistics. Substitute alcohol for drugs And alcohol, though.
Look on the bright side—the cost to cremate is very low. Toss a match in the coffin and ‘WHOMP!’
Russia
Low birth rates
High abortion rates
Poor health system
High use of alcohol and tobacco
Upper class sees children as a “burden”
Translation: population implosion
Not much new here. Alcoholism has been a major cause of death for Russian men for many decades. During WW2, the Red Army suffered a lot of casualties from its soldiers drinking anything they found that they thought was booze. The Germans used large quantities of wood alcohol (for antifreeze, etc.)and a lot of it went down Russian throats.
I remember reading a story back in the early ‘80’s about a Soviet military base in Afghanistan. They flew fighter-bombers out of that base.
The story was written by an eyewitness, who reported that the smell of jet fuel was powerful everywhere on the base, and even some distance outside it’s perimeter. When he asked his escort about this, it was explained in this way: the bombers used ethyl alcohol (for cooling, I presume), in the ratio of one ton of alchohol for every 12 tons of fuel. Therefore, for every kilo of alcohol consumed for purposes other than flying, 12 kilos of fuel had to be made to disappear from base supplies.
For this reason, he wrote, large areas of the base were essentially kerosene swamps.
8~)
One reason for this is because Russian Vodka is the best there is. Put it in the freezer for awhile and then take a shot. It goes down toooooooo smooth.
That’s the export version. Not what the proles drink.
I’ll drink to that.
We need to get the Chinese and North Koreans some Vodka, quick. Maybe even export a little Green PC culture to them while we are at it. Before it kills us of course.
This is both tragic and disappointing in a way. I was one who had thought the downfall of the USSR would improve the average Russian’s outlook on life. The resurgence, no explosion in baptisms to the Orthodox Church seemed to be pointing Russians toward a source of spiritual guidance absent for many decades.
Ironically, I discovered while I was deployed to Uzbekistan that young Uzbeks (who all speak Russian and many who speak English) regard everything Russian as cool, modern, and progressive. Compared to conditions in next-door Afghanistan, that’s not a far out conclusion.
Uzbeks are the only Muslims I know of who like their vodka. Hmm... wonder what the alcohol death rate is like in Tashkent or Samarkand?
7 decades of communism does strange things to people
Doubly sad article. Not only is the rate of alcoholism super high in Russia, but the best idea the left-wing doctors can come up with is to tax alcohol more.
They do have AA in Russia, but one has to wonder if 70 years of communist trained helplessness and atheism makes is hard for anyone to do something for themselves?
(Cue Raiders of the Lost Ark scene of Karen Allen downing shots against that fat Tibetan guy)
Randi Rhodes lives despite a massive infusion of 14 Ketel Ones in a row.
Champagne don’t drive me crazy
Cocaine don’t make me lazy
Ain’t nobody’s business but my own
Candy is dandy and liquor is quicker
You can drink all the liquor down in Costa Rica
Ain’t nobody’s business but my own
Years ago when I got my wings it was common knowledge that in order to not lose them you had to learn to drink a bit. Being dutiful of my obligation I took that as a personal challenge and led the fight for right! I still remember drinking songs from years ago...and have recently discovered a Russian vodka known as “Reskova”.... I have tested it with some fellow pilots and it has been approved... Do not imbibe without wings given by the US Military or a permission slip from you Doctor.
Another few months of Obama, and I might start drinking heavily myself.
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