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

Michael Xiaoliang Tong, Alana Hansen, Scott Hanson-Easey, Scott Cameron, Jianjun Xiang, Qiyong Liu, Yehuan Sun, Philip Weinstein, Gil-Soo Han, Craig Williams and Peng Bi
Additional contact information
Michael Xiaoliang Tong: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Alana Hansen: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Scott Hanson-Easey: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Scott Cameron: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Jianjun Xiang: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Qiyong Liu: State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
Yehuan Sun: Department of Epidemiology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
Philip Weinstein: School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaid 5005, Australia
Gil-Soo Han: Communications and Media Studies, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Australia
Craig Williams: Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, Australia
Peng Bi: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-12

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.

Keywords: climate change; urbanization; infectious disease; disease surveillance; challenges; disease control and prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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