HEALTH IN CHINA: THE ENVIRONMENTAL TOLL ON CHILDREN
César Chelala
The Globalist, October 31, 2009
César Chelala
The Globalist, October 31, 2009
Ever since China unveiled its new greenhouse gas emissions targets, the world has begun to recognize China’s efforts to clean up its degraded environment. César Chelala explains that children may be the most immediate beneficiaries of this new push, as they are most vulnerable to the dangers of pollution.
In recent times, China has greatly improved the health status of the majority of its population — while also maintaining a sustained economic expansion. Some of these achievements have been a model for developing countries worldwide. Gains in the health sector, however, are being curtailed by the environmental consequences of the rapid economic expansion of the country.
To continue the country’s economic growth — while at the same time protecting people’s health — is one of the main challenges facing Chinese authorities today.
China’s achievements
In the last two decades, China has had average economic growth of 9.4%. For the last 50 years, it has also made impressive advances in public health by improving access to health care and tackling infectious diseases with remarkably good results.
The average life expectancy is now 71.8 years, up from 35 in 1949. Immunization coverage is over 95% for those under age one.
From 1960 to 2003, China’s infant mortality rate fell from 150 to 30 per 1,000 live births, and the under-five mortality rate dropped from 225 to 37 per 1,000 live births. Both rates are used as indicators of access to basic health services. At the same time, there has been a sustained increase in the number of community service networks, which provide basic health services to the population.
In recent times, China has greatly improved the health status of the majority of its population — while also maintaining a sustained economic expansion. Some of these achievements have been a model for developing countries worldwide. Gains in the health sector, however, are being curtailed by the environmental consequences of the rapid economic expansion of the country.
To continue the country’s economic growth — while at the same time protecting people’s health — is one of the main challenges facing Chinese authorities today.
China’s achievements
In the last two decades, China has had average economic growth of 9.4%. For the last 50 years, it has also made impressive advances in public health by improving access to health care and tackling infectious diseases with remarkably good results.
The average life expectancy is now 71.8 years, up from 35 in 1949. Immunization coverage is over 95% for those under age one.
From 1960 to 2003, China’s infant mortality rate fell from 150 to 30 per 1,000 live births, and the under-five mortality rate dropped from 225 to 37 per 1,000 live births. Both rates are used as indicators of access to basic health services. At the same time, there has been a sustained increase in the number of community service networks, which provide basic health services to the population.
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