Search

The article discusses approaches to assessing the health status of children on the example of a model research region—the Smolensk region. A description of the data set for an 18-year observation period is given in order to identify territorial differences in the incidence rates of ecologically caused diseases. When assessing the health of the population at the regional level, first of all, it is necessary to select a population group, formalize and standardize the base of parameters characterizing health, and also apply such data processing methods that will allow unambiguous interpretation of the results. All these requirements can be taken into account by applying mathematical and cartographic modeling. The cartographic component is a continuation and development of a mathematical model that ensures the processing of initial data in accordance with the goals and objectives of medical and geographical research. The subsequent cartographic interpretation of mathematical calculations leads to the creation of spatial visualization, which also serves as a tool for multilateral analysis of the results. For the analysis were taken indicators of the general morbidity of children, following the International Classification of Diseases, in the following classes: respiratory diseases; diseases of the digestive system; diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue; diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. As a result, the ranking of the studied territorial units (25 municipal districts and 15 cities) was obtained according to four morbidity indicators. Based on these data, a series of maps was created, reflecting the spatial distribution of health characteristics over an 18-year observation period. The results obtained using absolute indicators revealed a gap in the values of the integral indices. The application of the methodology can contribute to the formulation of goals and objectives of strategies for the socio-economic development of regions and municipalities, measures to improve the health of children.

The main research topic is the theoretical justification of integrated regionalization of rural areas to optimize the use of natural agro-potential by developing conceptual frameworks and new methodological approaches to assessing the effectiveness of its use and determining environmentally and economically options for the interaction of natural and production-territorial systems. The problem of creating a theoretical (conceptual) model of integrated regionalization of rural areas using modern geographical methods and GIS technologies to optimize the use of natural agro-resource potential is arisen. The object of study is the natural agropotential of Smolensk region. Considering the complexity character of research we used the model area. The aim of the study is to assess the relationship of the spatial soil’s distribution and relief. For this aim, the model area on the territory of Smolensk region was chosen, digital model was created and analyzed. The research results have independent scientific interest and optimize the using of the natural agro-resource potential. The development of theoretical and methodological aspects of agricultural zoning is the most current problem of modern geography. The solution to this problem is necessary to develop recommendations for agricultural management. At the present stage of development of agriculture in Russia with extremely limited material, labor and financial resources, overcoming of the agrarian crisis will be possible on the basis of more efficient using of the natural potential of the territory. For the first time, the correlation of the spatial distribution of soil cover depending on the relief was studied using the model area of Smolensk region. The series of diagrams with the distribution of soil types by height, the distribution of the prevailing soil types on the slopes of different exposures, distribution of the prevailing soil types on the slopes of different angles have been constructed.

The article discusses the experience of environmental assessment at the global and regional levels. The methodology for assessing the environmental situation at the municipal level of the model research region — Smolensk region. To obtain the pollution index, we used indicators of emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere, the discharge of polluted wastewater and the generation of municipal solid waste. The choice of the first two indicators was determined by their impact on the health status of the population, and the formation of municipal solid waste is a significant factor in the pollution of environmental components. A comparative analysis of the environmental situation in the municipalities of the Smolensk region showed the effectiveness of the methodology used, which is associated with the availability of source data for analysis, the information content of indicators, taking into account the population and the area of the pollution area. The results revealed a gap in the values of the indices in the analysis of individual components and a set of indicators. Application of the methodology can contribute to the formulation of goals and objectives of strategies for the socio-economic development of regions and municipalities, and measures to improve the environment.

This study presents a medical-geographical analysis of the SARS CoV-2 pandemic development in the Russian Federation as by August 31, 2020. In general, the initial course of pandemic in Russia was characterized by a basic reproductive ratio (R0) of 2.41 (2.22–2.60), which is relatively low as compared to most affected countries. A spatial regression analysis demonstrated that the onset of the epidemics by the regions of Russia was determined by their proximity to major international airports and connectivity of transportation network, while morbidity and mortality rates show a pronounced relationship with the population density, urban population proportion and proportion of the population over working age.

The paper presents the regional features of urban mortality in Russia by the example of 175 cities with a population of more than 100000. The spatial features of mortality due to main causes of death are defined for male and female separately. The more favorable situation is defined for urban population than rural for all-cause mortality. The exception is industrial cities, where the mortality rate can reach high values. The results of a correlation analysis of the impact of environmental factors on the urban mortality are presented.