Family Medicine in Moldova

Review of Experience of Family Medicine in Europe and Central Asia, Volume V: Moldova Case Study, 2005

The health system in Moldova faces the burden of a dual epidemiological profile, characterized by diseases of poor countries like infectious diseases, and diseases of rich countries like cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Poverty, alcohol and tobacco are the key determinants in the health of most Moldovans. Morbidity and mortality from these factors account for a sizeable burden on society and on the economy.

In 1995, Moldova was on the verge of a public health crisis. Life expectancy was declining and
sexually transmitted infections were reaching near epidemic proportions. However, Moldova has
made steady progress since the mid-1990s in reversing the decline in life expectancy and in restoring health status to levels unseen since before the economic crisis. The most substantial reversals are in terms of life expectancy, which increased from 65.9 years in 1995 to 67.4 years in 2000.