Content №2 от 2023
Death in Russia: Exploring the What, Where, and How
The article attempts to explore death as a social phenomenon, where statistical indicators of mortality are provided only to describe their nationwide, regional, and ethnic scopes. Focusing on the social aspects of the causes of death, we divide them into the diseases of the flesh, diseases of the spirit, and diseases of society. Among the latter, highlighted is the impact of the unstable and inconsistent situation in Russia and the crisis of family relationships on mortality rates. We also present evidence of a steady variation in the spatial distribution of mortality, which can be attributed not only to living conditions in specific areas but also to ethnic factors, such as the outstripping decline of the Russian population. The article acknowledges the significant role of Russian geographers in the study of the relationship between mortality and specific socio-economic and other factors of different territories, i.e., the geodemographic doctrine. Furthermore, it discusses the causes and forms of the changing attitudes toward death. The covered topics are closely linked to the unique challenges associated with aging and old age in Russia, which will be brought to light in a subsequent publication.
