Infectious Diseases, Urbanization and Climate Change: Challenges in Future China

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2015 Sep 16

PMID 26371017

Citations 35

Authors

Michael Xiaoliang Tong

Alana Hansen

Scott Hanson-Easey

Scott Cameron

Jianjun Xiang

Qiyong Liu

Yehuan Sun

Philip Weinstein

Gil-Soo Han

Craig Williams

Peng Bi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

China is one of the largest countries in the world with nearly 20% of the world's population. There have been significant improvements in economy, education and technology over the last three decades. Due to substantial investments from all levels of government, the public health system in China has been improved since the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak. However, infectious diseases still remain a major population health issue and this may be exacerbated by rapid urbanization and unprecedented impacts of climate change. This commentary aims to explore China's current capacity to manage infectious diseases which impair population health. It discusses the existing disease surveillance system and underscores the critical importance of strengthening the system. It also explores how the growing migrant population, dramatic changes in the natural landscape following rapid urbanization, and changing climatic conditions can contribute to the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease. Continuing research on infectious diseases, urbanization and climate change may inform the country's capacity to deal with emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in the future.

Citing Articles

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Epidemiological Features of Infectious Diseases in Children and Adolescents: A Population-Based Observational Study in Shandong Province, China, 2013-2017.

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Spatiotemporal trends of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in China under climate variation.

Wang Y, Zhang C, Gao J, Chen Z, Liu Z, Huang J Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024; 121(4):e2312556121.

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