Global Health: How China Impacts the World

As the world becomes ever more interconnected, health issues in one part of the globe often impact people and communities in another part.  Whether it is the global transmission of diseases – such as SARS, Ebola, and Zika – or the United Nations’ establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted a year ago, it is no longer in question that global health challenges require global solutions.  Moreover, individual countries can no longer afford to address their domestic public health crises through a purely domestic lens.

 

China’s rise as a global power has attracted much attention, from economists, policymakers, human rights advocates, and yes, from public health professionals.  Even as China has increased its public health aid to other parts of the world, notably in Africa and Latin America, it continues to face challenges on its home front that have ripple effects.  China’s economic growth has come at social costs; the increasing prevalence of pollution has at times forced municipalities to close schools and airports, limit road traffic, and suspend manufacturing.  Longer term, pollution impacts life expectancy, child development and fosters chronic and terminal diseases, all of which directly influence China’s prospects for economic growth.  In September, China released its national strategy for implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  As the world’s second leading economy, the world will be watching China to determine how it simultaneously manages growth and an array of public health concerns.

 

Dr. Yanzhong Huang and Dr. Desmond Thio will discuss the intersections between health, climate change, environment, and economic interests, with a particular focus on these issues in the Chinese context.  As China grapples with these challenges, what are the implications for the United States and the rest of the world?

 

Dr. Yanzhong Huang is senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, where he directs the Global Health Governance round-table.

 

Dr. Desmond Thio is the CEO of DeltaHealth China. He holds a diploma in Electrical Engineering and Bachelor degree of Science in Mathematics from Dalhousie University.