Scientists conducted a sociological survey of households in the Republic of Karelia and analyzed the demand of the population for socially significant commercial services. Special attention was given to medicine. Researchers developed a typology of consumer activity in the market of commercial medical services. Their finding was that low-income households living in small towns and rural settlements exhibited high activity in the use of fee-based medical services. As the per capita income increases, the share of respective households in the high consumer activity group decreases.
"The financial wellbeing of the family influences the health status and the possibility to avoid neglected diseases. Well-to-do families can plan the use of medical services, being able to visit a doctor in the district or regional centers even if there is no access to free medical care in the places where they live. <...> The consumer practices of low-income families are not based on self-preservation. Shortage of material resources prevents them from planning on timely use of medical care. As a rule, health problems accumulate, forcing them to resort to commercial medical services. This problem is aggravated by the place where the families live. Small towns and villages do not provide the population with the necessary supply and quality of medical services, - reads a scientific article published in the journal Narodonaselenie (Population).
More details on the findings of this study and the possible solutions were shared in the Contemporaries program on Sampo TV 360 channel by Tatyana Morozova, Doctor of Economics, Director of the Institute of Economics KarRC RAS, one of the authors of the study.
News

February 17, 2023
Commercial medical serves are more frequently used by low-income families. Such a paradoxical conclusion was made as a result of a study carried out at the Institute of Economics KarRC RAS. Researchers conducted a sociological survey of households and studied the consumer activity of Karelian citizens in the market of commercial medical services.
See also:

July 7, 2025
A successful introduction: the zander has settled down in Lake Sundozero and continues to spread
Scientists of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS have published the results of long-term observations over the population of the zander (or pikeperch) introduced to Lake Sundozero more than a half-century ago. They confirm the species has become naturalized. Maintaining the population requires regulation of harvesting, protection during spawning, and tending of spawning grounds.
Scientists of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS have published the results of long-term observations over the population of the zander (or pikeperch) introduced to Lake Sundozero more than a half-century ago. They confirm the species has become naturalized. Maintaining the population requires regulation of harvesting, protection during spawning, and tending of spawning grounds.

June 26, 2025
Ice-related phenomena on rivers emptying into the White Sea now last three weeks less than 60 years before
Ice on northern rivers now forms later while ice-off occurs earlier. Karelian scientists confirmed this having analyzed 64 years of marine and meteorological data from the estuaries of rivers draining into the White Sea along its western coast. Climate change has bit three weeks off the ice-covered period on these rivers. The reductions have been the most significant in the last 30 years, aligning with global warming trends in Arctic water bodies.
Ice on northern rivers now forms later while ice-off occurs earlier. Karelian scientists confirmed this having analyzed 64 years of marine and meteorological data from the estuaries of rivers draining into the White Sea along its western coast. Climate change has bit three weeks off the ice-covered period on these rivers. The reductions have been the most significant in the last 30 years, aligning with global warming trends in Arctic water bodies.

June 23, 2025
Citizen science and web technologies help researchers study insects of Karelia
More than 30 insect species not encountered in Karelia previously have been revealed by entomologists from KarRC RAS during their expeditions and using data communicated by active participants of the iNaturalist portal – an open platform for collecting biodiversity data.
More than 30 insect species not encountered in Karelia previously have been revealed by entomologists from KarRC RAS during their expeditions and using data communicated by active participants of the iNaturalist portal – an open platform for collecting biodiversity data.

June 20, 2025
Application process for 2025/2026 Doctoral Studies started at KarRC RAS
On June 20, Karelian Research Centre RAS began accepting papers from applicants for its Doctoral Courses. This year, university graduates can choose from ten academic specialties in the STEM, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
On June 20, Karelian Research Centre RAS began accepting papers from applicants for its Doctoral Courses. This year, university graduates can choose from ten academic specialties in the STEM, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences.