Experts: Chronic disease, a critical issue in China(2)

Zeng Guang, CDC's chief epidemiologist, indicated that the top three non-communicable chronic diseases with the highest mortality rate in China are malignant tumors, cerebrovascular and heart disease, and a high-salt diet is a major cause of these diseases. Less than 25 percent of high blood pressure patients are aware of their disease, and less than 20 percent of these patients receive any kind of treatment. Only five percent of these patients are actively controlling and treating their illness.

Adults are advised to consume no more than 6g salt per day, while the average Chinese eats between 12-20 grams of salt per day, much more than the suggested volume. To control the use of salt, the Beijing municipal government began to sell salt in small packages on the market and distribute salt spoons to households in 2010. However, Zeng said the investment in the treatment and prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases is far from sufficient.

Smoking is another major health concern. More than 700 million people are exposed to second-hand smoke in China, and 1,200,000 people die from smoking-related diseases every year, Zeng added.

For better control of chronic diseases, a standard, comparable and sustainable public health monitoring system is required, Hsia pointed out.

The International Exchange Branch of Public Health Association for Beijing's Chaoyang District was founded at the summit, and is the first of its kind in the Chinese capital. The new branch will launch a series of events including training and communication programs, international cooperation projects, seminars and establish training bases. The Public Health Branch signed a letter of intent with Gangnam-Gu Medical Association of South Korea, focusing on research, cultural cooperation, academic and professional exchange and communications on medical care.

Meanwhile, working jointly with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the branch established an international cooperation research center for public health.

About 200 Chinese and foreign professionals and researchers attended the summit.