We were interested in health in Ukraine for 3 reasons:

1. Because of the rapid changes in health and life expectancy in the1990s: Ukraine became independent in 1991 and the unprecedented political, social and economic changes that occurred with independence had a clear impact on health. Life expectancy in Ukraine (PINK LINE) took a rapid and unprecedented decline in the early 1990s mirroring the more widely documented decline seen in Russia and other newly Independent States (BLUE AND YELLOW LINES).

2. Because these changes in health in Ukraine had not been investigated and almost nothing was known about health or its determinants in Ukraine.

3 .Also as a way of substantiating or refuting a growing body of evidence about health in Russia.