The elimination of Keshan disease in China——It is not a serious public health problem in rural areas of China / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Keshan disease is one of key endemic diseases in China, which mainly involves the myocardium. Acute and subacute Keshan disease has an acute onset and high mortality. The heart function of patients with chronic Keshan disease is impaired, which seriously threatens the health of residents in the disease affected areas. In this paper, we reviewed the meaningful events in Keshan disease contorl which involve the effective control of acute and subacute Keshan disease, the national comprehensive scientific investigation of Keshan disease in Chuxiong region of Yunnan Province, surveillance of Keshan disease, and elimination of Keshan disease. The roles of Keshan disease prevention and control in promoting the health of residents in the disease affected areas and in improving the quality of life of patients were proved, since the founding of the People's Republic of China. And the significance of the three-year campaign of endemic disease prevention and control in "Healthy China" to assist in building an all-round well-off society was clarified.