Health-related behaviors in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, and North Karelia, Finland.

Risk factors and health behaviors related to chronic diseases were studied in a population survey in Pitkäranta District in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, and in North Karelia, Finland, in Spring 1992 (Puska, Matilainen et al., 1993). The random sample of the population (25 to 64 years) was 1,000 in Pitkäranta and 2,000 in North Karelia. Among men there were more current smokers in Pitkäranta than in North Karelia (65% vs. 31%) whereas among women the respective rates were 11% and 16%. Self-reported alcohol consumption was higher in North Karelia. Leisure time physical activity was much less frequent in Pitkäranta both among men and women. Use of vegetables and berries was very infrequent in Pitkäranta. The differences in health behavior can at least partly explain the differences in risk factors and in mortality of chronic diseases.