Perceptions of health and well-being in transition societies: some results of a qualitative study carried out in the Ukraine

This article reports on research carried out within the scope of the Inco-Copernicus Programme, from 1999 to 2002, on ‘Health and Well-Being in Transition Societies’. In particular, it presents the results of a qualitative study carried out in the Ukraine. On the basis of in-depth interviews and two biographical interviews, data are analysed on the following topics: employment situation, informal economy, perception of health and well-being, perception of social services, perception of social exclusion, crisis and low expectations, coping strategies, and perceptions of citizens’ rights. It concludes that transition has meant important change that has had a significant effect upon the Ukrainian population.