Strategy for public health

The China Science Daily, a publication of the Chinese Academy of Science, hosted a conference on national strategy for public health and safety in Beijing recently. The conference was a reflection on epidemics in China during the past decade, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and bird flu. Government officials, medical professionals, including infectious disease specialists and animal epidemic specialists, law professors and public administration researchers, attended the event and delivered speeches. They spoke on such topics as the incidence of epidemics, the development of the warning system and research on vaccines.

Gastric cancer conference held

The eighth National Gastric Cancer Academic Conference and the first Sunlight Great Wall Cancer Academic Conference was held on June 15 in Beijing. It was organized by Beijing Cancer Hospital. China has some of the highest gastric cancer incidence rates in the world. It is estimated that among the 1 million new gastric cancer cases every year globally, about 47 percent are in China. Gastric cancer has four progressing stages, and about 60 to 70 percent of gastric cancer patients in China are in third and fourth stages. Unhealthy lifestyles, especially bad eating habits, and the lack of early detection are the most influential factors in the high incidences, according to Ji Jiafu, president of Beijing Cancer Hospital.

Hemophilia event examines issues

The nongovernmental Hemophilia Home of China held a conference on the treatment of, and medical insurance for, the country's hemophiliacs on June 20 in Beijing. Hemophilia is a group of inherited bleeding conditions in which patients' blood contains insufficient clotting factors. It's estimated that China has about 100,000 hemophiliacs, but only about 10,600 have registered with health authorities. Factor 8-replacement is the most effective treatment, but 20-30 percent of severe cases develop inhibitors during treatment.

Short cycle has physical benefits

Even short cycling jaunts can make a difference in the health of city dwellers, experts say. "If you were driving a car and switched to biking, that 10 minutes going and coming a day would be a big deal," says Robert Oppliger, an exercise physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine. Oppliger, an avid cyclist, says even a 3.2-to-4.8-km spin can yield significant health benefits. Government guidelines recommend adults accumulate 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity per week. Cycling, he says, can be part of that. "Bicycling has positive effects on weight and cardiovascular health," he says.

China Daily - AP

(China Daily USA 06/26/2013 page10)