By Janet Larsen
Cancer is now the leading cause of death in China. Chinese
Ministry of Health data implicate cancer in close to a quarter of
all deaths countrywide. As is common with many countries as they
industrialize, the usual plagues of poverty—infectious diseases and
high infant mortality—have given way to diseases more often
associated with affluence, such as heart disease, stroke, and
cancer.
While this might be expected in China’s richer cities, where
bicycles are fast being traded in for cars and meat consumption is
climbing, it also holds true in rural areas. In fact, reports from
the countryside reveal a dangerous epidemic of “cancer villages”
linked to pollution from some of the very industries propelling
China’s explosive economy. By pursuing economic growth above all
else, China is sacrificing the health of its people, ultimately
risking future prosperity. For full report, please
visit the EPI website.