Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
October 20, 2008

Experts Warn of China Health Time Bomb
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1ED5275:A6F02AD83191E160DFDF94911B03697A7F0EB4B66EA3A89D&
 
Chronic diseases claimed 74 percent of all 2005 deaths, up from 47
percent in 1973 
International health experts warned China it must tackle a growth in
chronic diseases or face a health and economic time bomb. A report by
U.S. and Chinese researchers urged Chinese to cut their intake of fatty
foods and salt, and to stop smoking and start exercising. The report, in
the British medical journal The Lancet, also called on the government to
launch campaigns to promote healthier habits. The researchers said that
as China has become increasingly affluent, diets have worsened, putting
a growing number of Chinese at risk of heart and lung disease. China is
debating the creation of a universal health care program that aims to
provide health insurance to all of its 1.3 billion citizens by
2020.According to the report, 177 million Chinese currently suffer from
hypertension, a condition blamed in part on high salt consumption. The
report says Chinese cigarette use is on the rise. It is estimated that
Chinese smoked more than 2 trillion cigarettes in 2006.Although
infectious diseases plagued the country prior to 1990, chronic illnesses
are now the leading cause of death. Figures show that in 2005, chronic
illnesses accounted for 74 percent of all deaths, up from 47 percent in
1973.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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