The most prominent of these diseases is HIV/AIDS, which is on the rise. By 2015, it is estimated that 5-10 million Russians will die from AIDS.

Two factors that help spread the sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AID are prostitution and illegal drug use. Prostitution is increasing especially among 10-14 year-old girls. Illegal drug use is also expanding. In 1997, the market for illegal drug use was 600 times greater than in 1991. The shared needles from the drug use contribute to the spread of disease.