Watching television is the most common way to spend extra time. Gathering mushrooms is a favorite summer activity. Russia has a grand and abiding heritage in cultural arts. The people highly appreciate theaters and movies, but these are available only in big cities. Doctors are highly trained and qualified but lack modern equipment and medicine to adequately treat their patients.
Private clinics provide better care but are expensive.
The infant mortality rate is 26 per 1,000. Life expectancy ranges from 64 to 74 years. Common major diseases are alcoholism, cancer, diabetes, and heart ailments. Diphtheria, dysentery, and other intestinal maladies are spreading. Health concerns have affected eating patterns in much the same way they have in other industrialized countries.