Health in Russia: Internet Applications

1. Health in Russia: Internet Applications Eugene Shubnikov and Russian/FSU I-Prevention Group

2. History of Russian Internet • The structure of Russian Internet began to develop in 1991-1992. • As the first step the Internet companies (Eunet/Relcom, Sovam Teleport, Glasnet, FreeNet) provided only E-mail access. • In 1993-1994, began the creation and reinforcement of scientific and educational networking (Radio-MSU, RUNNet). From this period all Internet companies started to provide the access to growing World Wide Web resources.

3. Soros Foundation • The Soros Foundation has created an Internet network for science and education in Russia. The Soros Foundation has established computer classes and free Internet access in Russian Universities, Institutions and schools. The Soros Foundation supports 33 well equipped Internet centres at the leading Russian Universities. Thousands of hospitals, Medical Schools and libraries have been wired with funds from Mr. Soros.

4. Comcon Survey • According to data of Comcon, by the end of June 1998 in Russia there were about 840 thousand people, who identified themselves as Internet users. Also, there were about 15 thousand independent sites at Russian Internet.

5. Communications in Russia • There are 30 ml (1998) main telephone lines in use (1). • The number of mobile telephones users is about 8 m l (2002) (2). • Internet Service Providers (ISPs)- 35 (2000) (1). • Internet users - 9,2 ml (2000) (1)

6. Current Status of Internet use in Novosibirsk City (Russia) According “Aikon Marketing” survey (Epigraf, N1, 2002)

7. 4% of Novosibirsk City Population is very interested to use Internet, but they still have not access. There are several other limitations to use Internet: • The hour of Internet time costs about 0,66 US cents during day time and 0,33 cents during night time. If the computer will log on during 8 hours (day time) the price will be 105 US $ per day that equal to average salary per month . Please compare with 10-20$ per month in the USA!? There are some possibilities for unlimited use with reasonable price, but usually during night time. According “Aikon Marketing” survey (Epigraf, N1, 2002)

8. Russian Internet Resources The open competition “Business-site 2001” revealed that 749 participants have applied around Russia. The Novosibirsk City won the second place with 11% of resources for the first time during this competition. The first place of course got Moscow with 40% of resources, participated in competition.

9. Russian Search Engines:Yandex.ruRambler.ru Search through Yandex.ru for word “epidemiology” in Russian language revealed 32450 pages and about 377 web servers.

10. SIBMED(http://sibmed.ru/res/ Many medical resources are being created at local level. Here is an example of web work at Novosibirsk sites. There are possibilities now to visit virtual outpatient department, to find different Internet medical sites. Some of them: http://www.med.ru/links/default.htm - Library of Russian medical sites http://www.MedNet.com - Web site of Main statistical center for Ministry of Public Health of Russia

12. Russian/FSU I-Prevention consists from: • Network of the scientists involved in prevention and the Internet in Russia • Russian Language or Russia/ FSU’s connected Public Health Library of lectures on the Internet • I-prevention program with relations between Russian, FSU, US and scientists from around of the world

13. I-PreventionLow band width information transfer reaching large numbers of well people to prevent The creation of Internet based disease prevention system in Russia is the Primary goal for the future work of our group. Information for non-communicable diseases is what “vaccinations” are to infectious diseases.

14. Number of participants of Russian/FSU I-Prevention Program

15. Publications on Russian/FSU I-preventionProgram • Boyarsky S., Brener I., Vlasov V., Danishevski K., Dato V., Zabina H., Ivanov D.,LaPorte R., Linkov F., Luchanski V., Troufanov A., Chepurnov A., Shubnikov E.Internet Prevention Program for Russia.Journal of Diseases Prevention and Health Promotion. Number 3, 2001, P.27-31.(in Russian)

16. Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus(DM) in Siberia Eugene Shubnikov, MD Center for Endocrinology «SibDiab» Novosibirsk, Russia readings

17. FSU/Russian Supercourse’s lectures • There are 4 lectures by Ukrainian author Boris Ledoshchuk - Radiation Epidemiology and Leukemia - (English) • www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec2731/index.htm - Part I • www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec2741/index.htm- Part II. • (Russian)Part I - • www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec2851/index.htm;www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec2861/index.htm - Part II.

18. FSU/Russian Supercourse’s lectures • We have also Introductory lecture for Supercourse which is partially in Russian and translated by Dora Il'yasova www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec0012/R/index.htm • One lecture is from Faina Linkov (University of Pittsburgh) and her colleagues about Maternal and Child Health in Kazakhstan www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec3951/index.htm

19. FSU/Russian Supercourse’s lectures Recently we received two lectures from Anna Gilmore(UK): “The Epidemiology of smoking in Ukraine: a cross sectional survey undertaken in 2000”and “Self perceived health in Ukraine: a cross sectional survey” There are also many other lectures which arrive each week. Please bookmark Supercourse website for up to date information and joining Supercourse project as a faculty member. You may also became a member of FSU/Russian I-prevention Group.

20. Ministry of Health of Russian Federation

21. Future of I-prevention in Russia/FSU • Russian/FSU teachers of Public Health will use all accessible Internet information on diseases prevention. • New generation of Russian/FSU cyber docs will use the power of Internet through Supercourse web site and related Health web sites. • Powerful National Public Health Programs will be supported by Ministries of Health, Medical Academies, Ministries of Education and any other interested government or private organizations.