Abstract
Chronic, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have surpassed infectious diseases as the primary cause of death and disability in
most developing nations. Nowhere is this more evident than in China where NCDs account for 80% of all deaths and skyrocketing
medical costs. Driving the escalation of NCDs are high rates of tobacco use, longer life spans, and changes in the traditional
Chinese diet and lifestyle bolstered by unprecedented economic growth and the new global culture. Despite the epidemic of
NCDs, few evidence-based interventions either to prevent or retard their progression exist in China. We present a case for
the development and adoption of such strategies as effective tools to combat China’s greatest health threat. Finally, we offer
an example of a collaborative network linking Chinese public health and academic institutions with US researchers to promote
the translation of western evidence-based interventions that fully incorporate local knowledge, culture, and capacity.
most developing nations. Nowhere is this more evident than in China where NCDs account for 80% of all deaths and skyrocketing
medical costs. Driving the escalation of NCDs are high rates of tobacco use, longer life spans, and changes in the traditional
Chinese diet and lifestyle bolstered by unprecedented economic growth and the new global culture. Despite the epidemic of
NCDs, few evidence-based interventions either to prevent or retard their progression exist in China. We present a case for
the development and adoption of such strategies as effective tools to combat China’s greatest health threat. Finally, we offer
an example of a collaborative network linking Chinese public health and academic institutions with US researchers to promote
the translation of western evidence-based interventions that fully incorporate local knowledge, culture, and capacity.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s13142-011-0036-0
- Authors
- Paula H Palmer, School of Community & Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, 180 East Via Verde, Suite 100, San Dimas, CA 91773, USA
- Bin Xie, School of Community & Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, 180 East Via Verde, Suite 100, San Dimas, CA 91773, USA
- Liming Lee, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, DongDan SanTiao 9, DongCheng District, Beijing, 100730 China
- Chih-Ping Chou, Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California, 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Alhambra, CA 91803, USA
- Ping Sun, Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, University of Southern California, 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Alhambra, CA 91803, USA
- Bree Hemingway, School of Community & Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, 180 East Via Verde, Suite 100, San Dimas, CA 91773, USA
- C. Anderson Johnson, School of Community & Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, 180 East Via Verde, Suite 100, San Dimas, CA 91773, USA
- Journal Translational Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1613-9860
- Print ISSN 1869-6716