ABSTRACT
The health of China’s population is important not only in terms of the government’s commitment to its people’s well-being but also to the ability of the people to enhance economic development. Good health is a factor in good productivity and, conversely, poor health contributes to poor productivity. Reducing infant mortality and lowering death rates may, however, cause problems of overpopulation: There are simply too many people among whom to divide the fruits of economic development. Moreover, a large population uses more resources and also creates more waste, leading to pollution and environmental degradation. Hence, the issues of health, demography, and the environment are closely intertwined not only with each other but with economic prosperity as well. With varying degrees of intensity over time, all have been of considerable concern to party and government.
