[The health and demographic criteria in the assessment of and the approach to resolving the ecological problem in Bulgaria].

The health and demographic aspects of the ecological problem are treated in scientific and theoretical plan. Data, illustrating the unfavourable changes in the health and demographic situation of the country, are given. They are interpreted as a result of the ecological stress and the existing crisis situation. The indices "local demographic potential" (LDP), "local health potential" (LHP) and "territorial health index" (THI) have the meaning of integral criteria for the urbanized environmental quality. They are elaborated on the basis of complete characteristics on the demographic process (birth-rate, mortality, infant mortality and natural growth) and all basic groups of diseases and nosological units, traced from 1980 up to now. Since 1986 an extremely dangerous tendency of rapid and socially significant deterioration of the health of the population has been observed. This country is in the process of depopulation from 1990. The data from the investigation confirm the priority significance of the activities concerning the protection and steadfast development of the environment with the principle objective--prevention and consolidation of the health of the population.