President Putin concerned over low life span in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed serious concern over the low life span in Russia. Opening Wednesday session of the State Council in the Kremlin, he stressed that millions of Russians officially register disablement every year and the payments on sick-leaves make up three percent of the annual wage fund.

The session of the State Council was devoted to the problems of sports development and formation of a healthy way of life in Russia.

Putin pointed out that the point at issue is "a wide package of questions which form the quality of people's life" and not only the development of physical culture and sports.