Methodological Approach to the Study of Living and Assessment of Medical and Demographic Risks of Intensive Agricultural Development Areas

Abstract

The purpose is to develop and test a methodical approach to the integral assessment of the standard of living of the population in a region of intensive agro-industrial development. Materials and methods. A review of existing methods for assessing the standard of living of the population and estimating medical and demographic risks was carried out, and the official statistical data on the Voronezh and Belgorod regions were used to approve the methodology. Results and discussion. A decrease in the quality of life and a reliable increase in health and demographic risk have been found mainly in the agrarian districts of the central and southern sectors of Voronezh Region, while many districts in the near suburbs (Verkhnekhavsky, Khokholsky, Kashirsky, Novousmansky, Paninsky, Ramonsky, Semiluksky) and the city district of Voronezh are strengthening positive trends in demographic development. This is due to the peculiarities of the location of the core of the regional settlement system (the Voronezh urban agglomeration), which provides socio-economic stability and an upward development vector for the northwestern part of Voronezh region. A similar situation can be observed in the Belgorod region, with its diverse social, economic, industrial and housing infrastructure. The "centre-periphery" position of the municipality has a significant impact: the city of Belgorod and the Starooskolsky and Gubkinsky urban districts form a dual-nucleus agglomeration. Conclusions. The developed and tested methodological approach to the regional assessment of socio-ecological and medico-demographic situations makes it possible to rank the area of the region according to the criteria of living standards and medico-demographic risk. A reliable increase in the standard of living and reduction of medical and demographic risk in large urban-type municipalities (centers of sub-regional development) has been found.