The Consequences of Growth: How China’s Economic Boom Has Prompted a Rise in Non-Communicable Diseases.

Abstract

This paper will delve into the relationship between public health and economic growth in China. As China’s economy grows, there is an unmistakable impact on public health. As will be discussed below, the link between economic growth and public health is strong; with the unprecedented economic growth China is experiencing, it is worthwhile to study how public health in China is being affected. As non-communicable diseases (NCD) are the number one health threat in China and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contribute to 88% of total deaths each year, this paper will focus on some of the most pervasive NCDs, including three of the five top causes of deaths in China: cardiovascular disease (heart disease), chronic respiratory disease (lung disease), and diabetes (CDC, 2019). The purpose of this paper is to show how economic growth in China has contributed to a rise in these three NCDs, and how the costs incurred by these diseases are impacting further growth.