The war in Ukraine continues and significantly impacts the health of Ukrainians. The WHO Ukraine team for health information and risk management presents the "Health Index. Ukraine"-2023 report, which allows for a comparison of current data with pre-war indicators.
Research Partners
The survey was conducted with the support of:
- WHO Ukraine
- the "Health Solutions" Foundation
- the World Bank
What is the "Health Index. Ukraine"?
This is a large-scale representative study conducted since 2016, covering approximately 10,000 Ukrainian households in each round. In 2023, 9,200 respondents were surveyed, providing valuable insights into:
- health-related behaviors,
- trends in healthcare services,
- inpatient and outpatient treatment,
- healthcare expenditures, and more.
Key Research Findings
Chronic Diseases
- 41% of respondents reported having chronic diseases, more common among women (44%) than men (37%).
- The most prevalent chronic disease is hypertension, affecting 25% of respondents.
Preventive Examinations
- 56% of respondents underwent routine medical check-ups (an increase compared to 2020).
- Women are more likely to undergo preventive screenings, which typically include fluorography and ECG.
Outpatient Treatment
- 40% of respondents sought outpatient care, with women doing so more frequently than men.
- 16% of patients were unable to receive care due to financial constraints.
- Overall outpatient treatment costs have increased, despite a decrease in direct payments.
Treatment Costs and Access to Medications
- Medication costs remain high for both outpatient and inpatient treatments.
- 12-13% of patients cannot afford all necessary medications due to financial difficulties.
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
- IDPs face higher levels of psychological stress and financial barriers in accessing healthcare.
- They are less likely to seek professional help for mental health issues.
Regional Differences
- War-related refusals of medical care are particularly high in the following regions:
- Zaporizhzhia – 18%
- Kharkiv – 24%
- Kherson – 43%
- Chronic illnesses and stress are more prevalent in eastern and southern regions.
Detailed research findings are available in both Ukrainian and English:
