A preliminary analysis of the impact of social changes on control and elimination of endemic disease in rural areas of China / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Endemic diseases include iodine deficiency disorders,fluorosis,arsenicosis,Keshan disease and Kaschin-Beck disease,which have been well under controlled or basically eliminated so far in China thanks to the great efforts made by our governments and medical staffs over the past decades.We are entering into a new era for consolidation of the achievements.Meanwhile,unprecedented social changes are happening in the diseases affected rural areas of China,which featuresfirst of all,younger generation left and permanent population aging;second,severely polluted natural environment and better housing conditions;third,social transformation from self-sufficient natural economy to commodity economy with improved living standard,but still leaving a certain number of poor farmers and;lastly,backward social security system.However,there are some preferential policies issued in recent years for agriculture,alleviating grass-root social conflicts.All these changes may exert positive or negative influences on combating endemic disease,at least through disease incidence,control measures and surveillance,and further investigations are needed.