The Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) is a series of nationally representative surveys designed to monitor the effects of Russian reforms on the health and economic welfare of households and individuals in the Russian Federation. These effects are measured by a variety of means: detailed monitoring of individuals' health status and dietary intake; precise measurement of household-level expenditures and service utilization; and collection of relevant community-level data, including region-specific prices and community infrastructure data. Data have been collected sixteen times since 1992.

RLMS Data Round 16 (2007) is Now Available

Dear RLMS users,

Our primary funders of the RLMS for the first 14 years insist that we find ways to become more self-sufficient. We have had 1400 institutions using the RLMS over its history; however only a few of them have ever contributed to its financial support.

As of October 3, 2006, we must sell the data to all users at any organization that wishes to use these data. The need to offer the RLMS data on a cost-recovery basis saddens us, as this has been a major free public good for 14 years. However, we would prefer it continue even if limited to those who have the resources to pay for it. It has become critical for program and policy research related not only to Russia but to the entire transition process in the former Soviet Union. It has been utilized for graduate education, scholarly research, and many other activities linked with Russia.

All interested users in the RLMS data will need to fulfill a number of steps to obtain these data, which are outlined in the Data-Use Agreement. The data use and confidentiality of distribution and handling of the data is a critical component of the Data-Use Agreement. Along with the instructions about how to apply to receive the RLMS data is a short summary of the pricing policy for obtaining the data. As a first step all potential users must register and fill out the Data-Use Agreement.

Barry Popkin

*** Visit the Data Availability and Access Requirements page for further information. ***