Introduction. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality in the WHO European Region, accounting for up to 90% of all deaths. To support Member States in the Region with NCD prevention and control, the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of NCDs was established in Moscow in 2012 with the support of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the study: to provide an overview of the key areas of work of the WHO NCD Office in Moscow, its con­tribution to strengthening the capacity of countries in the European Region, and the promotion of effective, evidence-based measures in NCD control. Materials and methods. In the course of this study, the Office’s internal accounting documents and materials published by its employees, including those within the framework of projects supported by it, were analyzed. Results. Over more than a decade of work, the Office has played a significant role in promoting public health policies and best practices, with a particular focus on reducing exposure to risk factors such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consump­tion, unhealthy diets, and insufficient physical activity. The Office has contributed to strengthening surveillance and risk factor monitoring through large-scale studies and the implementation of digital data analysis tools, as well as to the development of health systems for managing chronic conditions at the primary care level. Important contributions include innovative solutions, such as monitoring digital marketing of unhealthy products, as well as the development of educational initiatives, networking platforms for young professionals, and intersectoral and international cooperation. At the country level, support was provided in developing legislation, implementing prevention programmes, establishing patient registries, and improving access to healthcare services, thereby strengthening national efforts to combat NCDs. Conclusion. In the course of its work, the WHO NCD Office has become a key regional centre for expert, methodological, and technical support to Member States in the WHO European Region on NCD prevention and control, promoting evidence-based and innovative solutions. Ongoing challenges require further strengthening of political commitment, sustainable financing, intersectoral collaboration, and the use of innovative approaches to effectively reduce the NCD burden and achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in the WHO European Region.

Introduction. One of the key drivers of antimicrobial resistance is the lack of public awareness. To identify gaps in public knowledge and determine factors contributing to the irrational use of antimicrobial agents in the Republic of Belarus, a large-scale study was conducted. The purpose of the study: was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the population of the Republic of Belarus regarding antibacterial drugs and the problem of antibiotic resistance. Materials and methods. The study involved 1.405 participants, of whom 21.8% were men and 78.2% were women. The average age of the respondents was 40.7 ± 13.3 years. A validated questionnaire consisting of 28 questions divided into six blocks was used: general characteristics of respondents, frequency and specifics of antibacterial drugs use, prescription and acquisition of drugs, correctness of use, knowledge about antibacterial drugs and antibiotic resistance, and sources of information. Results. Showed that 53.8% of respondents had taken antibiotics in the past year, while 64.8% mistakenly believed that antibiotics are effective against viruses and can be used to treat flu and colds. Approximately half of the respondents (50.5%) were unable to provide a correct definition of the term “antibiotic resistance.” The level of knowledge about antibacterial drugs and anti- biotic resistance among respondents was assessed as satisfactory (11.1 ± 2.4 points out of 14 possible). The highest levels of awareness were observed among individuals with higher education, managers, and employees/specialists. A quarter of the respondents (22.5%) were unaware of the ban on the sale of antibiotics without a prescription. Conclusion. Based on the findings, measures to increase public awareness were proposed, including educational campaigns, explanatory conversations with patients, and the distribution of informational materials in medical institutions and pharmacies. Special attention was given to at-risk groups, such as individuals without higher education, for whom it is recommended to use educational videos in schools and public transport.

Introduction. A child’s life and all aspects of his health begin long before birth, and the prenatal stage of childhood is critically important, no less than any subsequent years of postnatal life. The purpose of the study: substantiation of the phenomenon of prenatal childhood and its role in shaping the trajectory of development and health status throughout life. Materials and methods. A comprehensive analysis of available scientific data has been carried out in the direction of overdue changes in terminology of the stages of prenatal development, pedagogical and psychological approaches, legal aspects, as well as conducted research on pre- and postnatal periods of development, unique domestic scientific developments and the results of their application. Results. Identifying an intrauterine child as an independent person, communicating with him, singing songs to him, responding to his movements, waiting for his birth is absolutely necessary for the full development of the individual. Prenatal communication between a child and a mother is a form of prenatal care, attachment education, and is necessary to ensure the psychophysical and emotional health of a growing child. Therefore, prenatal childhood is the most important period of human formation and growth, critically important not only for somatic, but also for mental development, ultimately determining the entire subsequent life of a person. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, every human being is a child from the moment of conception to the age of 18 and, of course, has the right to a name. New knowledge, accumulated clinical and experimental data indicate that an intrauterine child has emotional perception and memory from the first months after conception. The time has come to eliminate the use of the previously used term “fetus” in relation to an intrauterine child, which does not meet either legal or bioethical goals, but designates only a part of the intrauterine period of life, while in its meaning it associates the child with plants, thereby contributing to the dehumanization of the prenatal stage of development. Conclusion. The Russian system of child health protection, characterized, among other things, by a social orientation, is unique. The potential for implementing large–scale government initiatives aimed at supporting families, preserving health, including reproductive health, as well as the preventive possibilities of prenatal pedagogy and prenatal psychology, will be achievable provided that the prenatal period of life is fully legally secured – accepting the concepts of the intrauterine child, the beginning of life, while guaranteeing the rights of the child at the prenatal stage of development, the rights of the pregnant woman., both directly during pregnancy and after delivery. The widespread introduction of existing effective developments will allow us to raise healthier and more successful future generations of Russians.

Introduction. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. The burden of epilepsy includes both the direct consequences of the condition and a high rate of comorbid somatic and mental disorders, as well as an increased suicide risk compared with the general population. Additionally, epilepsy is among the most stigmatized diseases of the central nervous system, which significantly raises the likelihood of adverse clinical and social outcomes. The purpose of the study: to synthesize contemporary data on the nature and consequences of stigma in epilepsy and to compare approaches to its prevention and mitigation. Materials and methods. To achieve this objective, the authors analyzed relevant Russian and international literature from peer-reviewed journals and monographs addressing the stigmatization of epilepsy, covering both historical perspectives and the current situation. Results. For millennia, epilepsy has been associated with numerous myths, misconceptions, and prejudices. Discrimination against people with epilepsy has existed for centuries and persists today. Manifestations include restrictions in education, difficulties obtaining employment or being passed over for promotions, problems with marriage and childbearing, social isolation by the community, discrimination from family members, and exclusion from public events. Conclusion. Improving social integration and quality of life for people with epilepsy requires coordinated efforts by government authorities, public organizations, public health leaders, healthcare professionals, patients, and their families.

Introduction. With the development of technologies and increased attention to mental health, the demand for qualified specialists in this field increases. The article considers the dynamics of the number of medical psychologists in the healthcare system of the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation for the period from 2002 to 2023. The purpose of the study: to study the availability and dynamics of the number of medical psychologists in the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation, to identify key trends and main problems. Materials and methods. The study used data from annual reporting forms of federal statistical observation No. 30 «Information on the medical organization» for 2002–2023. Standard dynamics indicators were calculated in the work. Results. The analysis shows an increase in the number of positions of med- ical psychologists and individuals working in these positions, but the problem of insufficient staffing remains in some regions of the Central Federal District. It was revealed that only 16.25% of medical psychologists in the Central Federal District have a qualification category, 3.73% have a specialist certificate and 18.42% have been accredited. The number of medical psychol- ogists in medical organizations is below the potential set by the allocated staff units. The growth in the number of staff units of medical psychologists in the Central Federal District was slightly slower compared to regions that are not part of the Central Federal District structure, but in the last year the growth rate has increased. Conclusion. In general, a trend towards an increase in the number of medical psychologists in all subjects included in the Central Federal District was revealed. There is a continuing need to attract qualified medical psychologists to public healthcare organizations, improve professional retraining, and include medical psychologists in the continuous medical education system.

Introduction. Previous studies indicate associations of the morbidity of the population with certain characteristics of Russian regions, without using an integral approach in the analysis of regional living conditions. The purpose of the study: the purpose of the study is to assess the associations of regional living conditions with morbidity in the subjects of the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. From the official data of the Federal State Statistics Service, the indicators of general morbidity and main classes in 81 subjects for the period 2017–2021 were taken. For a comprehensive assessment of regional living conditions, previously developed regional indexes were used. Statistical analysis was performed using linear regression analysis. Results. An increase in the overall incidence, by 6.2% and 8.0%, respectively, is associated with a deterioration in the social living conditions of the population and an increase in economic development in the region. For certain classes of diseases, there are numerous associations with Socio-geographical, Demographic, Economic, Industrial and environmental regional indices. Conclusion. The conducted research indicates the importance of the influence of regional living conditions on morbidity in the regions of Russia. The results obtained can be used for in-depth analysis and monitoring of public health indicators.

Introduction. Researchers have proven the effectiveness of assessing the level of development of regional healthcare using mortality rates excluding external causes and primary incidence, which led to its use for the purposes of our study to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare development scenarios. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of the coronavirus infection COVID-19 pandemic on a possible scenario for the development of healthcare in the regions of the Volga Federal District. Materials and methods. The indicators of the mortality rates excluding external causes and primary incidence in the constituent entities of the Volga Federal District were studied during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022) and the pre-COVID period 2012–2019, and the integral indicators of the mortality rates excluding external causes and primary incidence were calculated over time in accordance with the methodology developed by N. N. Karyakin et al. An increase in the mortality rates excluding external causes indicator and a simultaneous decrease in primary incidence was regarded as negative medical and demographic dynamics; an increase in primary incidence in combination with a decrease in the mortality rates excluding external causes was regarded positively. In accordance with the dynamics of the integral in- dicators, a ranking assessment of the constituent entities of the Volga Federal District was carried out into groups depending on a possible scenario for the development of regional healthcare (favorable, acceptable, transitional and negative). The rank assessment of regional healthcare systems that developed in the pre-COVID and post-COVID periods was compared with a similar rank distribution for the period 2005–2010 and the predicted scenario. Results. The 2020–2022 coronavirus infection COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on the scenarios for the development of healthcare systems in the Volga Federal District: in 11 out of 14 subjects, the scenarios did not change under the influence of the pandemic (favorable, acceptable and negative), in 2 subjects, the scenarios changed from acceptable to transitional and negative, in one subject, an improvement in the scenario was noted. Conclusion. The methodology for assessing the integral indicators of the mortality rates excluding external causes and primary incidence is of practical significance and can be used to assess the sustainability of the development of the regional healthcare system in emergency situations.