Our findings mainly characterize mortality among the first cosmonauts who have flown to space from 1961 through the 1970s, which indicates the necessity of continuing research.Ushakov IB, Voronkov YI, Bukhtiyarov IV, Tikhonova GI, Gorchakova TYu, Bryleva MS. A cohort mortality study among Soviet and Russian cosmonauts, 1961-2014. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(12):1060-1065.

Introduction. One of the priority socio-economic and medical-demographic problems in Russia is the high mortality. The study aim is to identify the most significant factors that determine the mortality on the example of two single-industry towns. Materials and methods. Mortality in two single-industry towns specializing in copper-nickel production, differenced in climate, environmental, and socio-economic indicators, was studied using age-standardized indicators averaged over 8 years (2010-2017). Results. In Monchegorsk, compared to Russia, with similar non-production characteristics, working-age mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) was higher by 49.0%, from malignant neoplasms (MN) by 34.7%, from diseases of the digestive system by 35.5%, which confirms the negative impact of occupational factors on the mortality of the population of a single-industry city. In Norilsk city, with the worst characteristics of the environment and climate, compared to Monchegorsk, mortality from CVD was lower in working age by 40.6%, in post-working age by 41.4%; from MN - in working age lower by 37.2% that shows the compensating influence of socio-economic factors on mortality. Conclusion. Risk factors for increased mortality rates in single-industry towns with copper-nickel enterprises are the influence of harmful occupational factors, as well as environmental pollution. Along with primary prevention, an effective mechanism for reducing mortality is to improve socio-economic well-being, and the quality of medical care.

Standardized mortality rates of the male population aged 15-59 in Monchegorsk, where the Kola mining and metallurgical company is located, were higher relative to the Murmansk region and Russia: from diseases of the circulatory system by 34.8% and 52.1%, respectively, from malignant neoplasms by 26.3% and 19.4%, from diseases of the digestive system by 59.0% and 36.3%.

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The paper dwells on examining mortality among men due to malignant neoplasms (MNs) in Russia and in Norilsk and Monchegorsk, two monotowns located in the Arctic zone with the only industry there being nickel production. Nickel is a well-known carcinogen. Given rather small population numbers in these two towns, the authors calculated mortality due to MNs that was aver- aged over 8 years (2010–2017) for 5-year age groups and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) for employable and post- employable ages as per this nosology in general and specific MNs localizations as well. Mortality was comparatively analyzed in two male populations in the following pairs: Monchegorsk and Russia, Norilsk and Russia; the analysis was based on data on climatic peculiarities in the towns, working conditions at industrial enterprises, ecological situation, and socioeconomic features including an existing situation in public healthcare. Socioeconomic welfare and public healthcare quality were close to average Russian ones in Monchegorsk, but SMR for employable population was higher than on average in the country: due to MNs in general, by 34.7 %; nickel-specific MNs such as MNs of the lip, mouth, and throat, by 2.2 times; MNs in the stomach, by 1.5 times. In Norilsk working conditions were similar to those in Monchegorsk but the environmental conditions were worse; still, mortality among employable population was lower: due to MNs in general, by 15.4 %; MNs of the lip, mouth, and throat, by 14.0 %; due to MNs in the stomach, by 39.3 %. In comparison with Russia as a whole, mortality due to MNs was also lower at employable age but higher by 21.6 % at post-employable one. A decrease in MNs-related mortality and carcinogenic effects becoming apparent at older ages were achieved due to organizing up-to-date oncologic aid in Norilsk including high-tech diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation procedures as well as due to higher living standards in the town.