On July 6, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Public Health and Medical Science. The MOU, which was signed by Ambassador Beyrle and Deputy Minister Skvortsova, establishes a framework for deeper cooperation between government agencies and scientific research institutions, including USAID and the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, in the areas of: infectious diseases; chronic and non-communicable diseases; promoting healthy lifestyles; maternal and child health protection; and improving global health, including strengthening health systems in developing countries.

On July 7, First Lady Michelle Obama visited a faith-based primary school and nursing college run by the St. Dmitriy Sisters of Mercy in Moscow. Established in 1991 by Archpriest Father Arkadiy, the St. Dmitry Sisters of Mercy are a Sisterhood of faith-based nurses dedicated to providing care and support to the needy, including home-based care for AIDS patients. In 1992, the Sisters of Mercy opened the first faith-based nursing college in Russia. Special training courses at the college on caring for HIV/AIDS patients are supported by USAID through a project implemented by UNDP.

Small businesses in Russia report spending up to 10 percent of their revenues on bribes to local officials, a major impediment to successful economic development.  To address this issue, the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), and the Union of Business Associations (OPORA) brought business coalitions from across Russia together on June 8 to call attention to corruption and ways to combat it.