Yes we can! The Raffles Dialogue on Human Wellbeing and Security.

The future of human wellbeing and security depends on our ability to deal with the multiple effects of globalisation and on adoption of a new paradigm and philosophy for living and for health that emphasises people's wellbeing and social justice. Such was the topic of the inaugural Raffles Dialogue on Human Wellbeing and Security held in Singapore on Feb 2-3, 2015. Participants agreed that, to achieve these goals, four conditions must be met. First, equity must be integral to the implementation of technology. Second, there is an urgent need for innovations within our global institutions to make them "fit for purpose" in a rapidly changing world. Third, we must find the right balance between the roles of government and markets so that all those in need can access affordable medicine and health care. Finally, we must realise that we live in a small and interdependent "global village", where Asian countries need to assume greater leadership of our global village councils. This is the great imperative of our times.

Health of China's rural-urban migrants and their families: a review of literature from 2000 to 2012.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic transformation in China at the beginning of the twenty-first century has led to rapid urbanization and accelerated rural-urban migration. As a result, the concerns about public health problems triggered by increasing internal population mobility have been more widely studied in recent years. SOURCES OF DATA: Published data in Chinese and English on health of migrants and their families in mainland China from 2000 to 2012. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: The shifting patterns of disease distribution due to rural-urban migration, health equity and health reform strategies that cater for this specific yet substantial subpopulation are outstanding concerns. Infectious diseases, mental health, occupational health and women's health are emerging public health priorities related to migration. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: The high mobility and large numbers of Chinese rural-urban migrants pose challenges to research methods and the reliability of evidence gained. GROWING POINTS: While the theme of working migrants is common in the literature, there have also been some studies of health of those left behind but who often remain unregistered. Migration within China is not a single entity and understanding the dynamics of new and emerging societies will need further study. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Social, economic, emotional, environmental and behavioural risk factors that impact on health of migrants and their families call for more attention from health policy-makers and researchers in contemporary China.

Seroprevalence of rubella in female migrant factory workers in Shenzhen, China.

BACKGROUND: Rubella remains a common disease in Mainland China and is a major cause of severe birth defects from Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). Rubella-containing vaccines were not included in China's National Expanded Program of Immunization (NEPI) until December 2007. In Shenzhen, women of childbearing age make up a large percentage of its migrant factory worker population. Understanding their immunity to rubella is critical in furthering efforts towards rubella vaccination programs. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the seronegativity of rubella antibodies and evaluate potential associates of rubella immunity among female migrant factory workers in Shenzhen, China. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 518 female migrant workers, aged 18-55, working in 44 randomly selected factories in Shenzhen, China during May through June of 2009. Samples were tested for Rubella Immunoglobulin G (IgG) using a commercial Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay kit. Self-reported vaccination histories and socio-demographic information were also collected. RESULTS: Of 518 female workers, 402 (77.6%) were immune to rubella. Significant differences in seronegativity were dependent on region of origin, being without a job contract, age group, marital status and seronegativity of measles. CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalence of antibodies to rubella in Shenzhen, China amongst female migrant workers is too low to provide immunity in the population. Given the high numbers of women of childbearing age amongst Shenzhen migrant factory workers coming from many provinces across China, local health authorities in Shenzhen should consider combining new rubella immunization programs with existing measles immunization efforts in this population.