China Launches Program to Combat Brain Diseases

Home>>Sci-Edu

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, August 31, 2002

China Launches Program to Combat Brain Diseases

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The Chinese Ministry of Public Health has launched a five-year program to educate the public, particularly the elderly, on the prevention and control of brain diseases. Brain diseases are on the rise in China.

The program will include nationwide health counseling activities, lectures given by medical experts, and free handouts and video products on disease prevention.

The ministry also plans to disseminate information on disease prevention and treatment through mass media, websites and counseling hot-lines.

The prevalence of encephalopathy among elderly Chinese has become serious as the country's silver-haired population swells, said Vice-Minister of Health Ma Xiaowei at the ceremony held here on Friday to launch the new program.

Studies have indicated that over 80 percent of senior citizens in China have suffered from pathological changes in cerebral nerves, although levels of illness have varied.

Brain diseases which are fatal or debilitating are responsible for about half of 60 million disability cases in China, Ma noted.

Patients of cerebral vascular diseases, stroke, dementia and Parkinson's disease often suffer extensively due to their loss of independence and due to the increased financial burdens imposed onthem, their families and on society as a whole, he said.

The official went on to say that the program is aimed to raise public awareness about disease prevention and treatment, and helped to promote good health, in general. The program will also provide support for the clinical research of cerebral diseases andfor the training of encephalopathy specialists.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Highly Concerning China, US Plans to Deploy New Fighters in Guam ( 5 Messages)

Japanese Court Dismisses Germ Warfare Victims' Damages Claim ( 3 Messages)

China Plans to Stop the Overeas Flight of Corrupt Officials ( 14 Messages)

China's Exports Hit Record of US$56.2 Billion in July ( 96 Messages)

Old Chinese Beaten by NY Police, Triggers off Big Clash ( 47 Messages)