As of the mid-1990s, the overall organization of the health care system has largely been carried over from the Soviet era. Primary care has been delivered through basic units called uchastoks. In rural areas, these districts are served by health posts staffed by midwives or physicians' assistants, while health centers and urban polyclinics are available in larger population centers. The secondary-care network has also been retained from the Soviet era and consisted of uchastok hospitals and health centers, district hospitals and polyclinics, and regional hospitals and polyclinics. Medical facilities throughout the country are generally inadequate, with equipment that is both outdated and in poor condition. A survey conducted in the mid-1990s found a high level of dissatisfaction with the health care system on the part of both the general public and health care personnel, as well as widespread support for privatization. As of 2004, there were an estimated 417 physicians, 787 nurses, and 32 dentists per 100,000 people. Total health care expenditure was estimated at 4.6% of GDP.

As of 2002, the crude birth rate and overall mortality rate were estimated at, respectively, 9.7 and 13.9 per 1,000 people. Infant mortality was 15.39 per 1,000 live births in 2005 and average life expectancy was 67.10 years. The total fertility rate was 1.3 children per woman during her childbearing years. Children up to one year of age were immunized against tuberculosis, 97%; diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, 87%; polio, 97%; and measles, 95%.

The heart disease mortality rates for Russian men and women were higher than the average for countries of high human development. The HIV/AIDS prevalence was 1.10 per 100 adults in 2003. As of 2004, there were approximately 860,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the country. There were an estimated 9,000 deaths from AIDS in 2003.

After the breakup of the Soviet Union diphtheria spread from Russia to its former republics in epidemic numbers. The incidence of tuberculosis was 123 per 100,000 people. The Russian Federation and countries of Central and Eastern Europe lag behind the West in injury prevention. The accidental death rate for children 5-14 in was 39.6 per 100,000 for boys and 16.4 per 100,000 for girls. Deaths by suicide are also very high in the Russian Federation at 41.7 per 100,000 people for men and 7.9 per 100,000 for women (aged 15-24).