Rapid Response to Danger of Chronic Diseases

2002/08/01

Hypertension, diseases of blood vessels in the heart and brain, malignant tumors and diabetes have become the four major chronic diseases afflicting Beijingers, according to the municipal public health department.

"The city spends as much as two billion yuan (US$241 million) annually on medical costs for 1.8 million people covered by public medical care, of which about 75 percent goes on treating the four conditions," said Tian Xiangyang, deputy director of the Health Education Institute of Beijing Municipal Public Health Bureau.

The statistics have prompted the city to take rapid action. Among major moves, the bureau is drafting a five-year program to reduce diseases and boost public health. As part of this process, it recently completed a survey that shows unhealthy habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, poor diet, lack of physical exercise and depression as main causes of the chronic diseases.

Another recent survey revealed that 23.25 percent of Beijingers smoke; that 43.57 percent are fond of salty foods; 26.89 percent like high-fat foods; and 32.15 percent are obese. As counter-measures, the bureau has designated four groups of places - neighborhood communities, hospitals, schools and shops - as "Better Fitness Places" in the city. At these places people have access to sports facilities, greenery, safe drinking water and health tips.

"Our ultimate aim is to make Beijing a 'fitness city' where residents are relieved of the worries about health problems," said Tian.



	Article featured in Beijing This Month, August 2002 Publication sponsored by Information Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Tourism