Predictive analysis of impact of social environmental factors on population health in Three-Gorges areas

Wang Yang; Long Qian; Li Ying; Wang Hong-lin; Yang Li; Wang Hong; Chen Jing

doi:10.3321/j.issn:1673-8225.2005.43.003

Abstract：BACKGROUND:The construction of the Changjiang Three-Gorges project may cause significant change in both natural and social environments;consequently,it may have profound impact on population's physical and mental health.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the potential impact from the change of social environments in Three Gorges dam on population health and also to explore the associated causes.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study SETTING:School of Public Health of Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, CDCs of Kaixian, Yunyang and Wanzhou counties.PARTICIPANTS: This research was conducted in Kaixian, Yunyang and Wanzhou of Chongqing from February to December of 2004. Data,which were about disease monitoring of overall population in the three counties in Three-Gorges areas mentioned above, were analyzed. METHODS: Data on disease monitoring of overall population in Yunyang,Kaixian and Wanzhou were collected and sorted,and the data on disease monitoring of non-Three-Gorges areas were taken as a control,all of these data were analyzed with the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods,as well as actuality and predicting methous and a number of literatures were referred to.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Indicators of socio-economical development; ② current situation of psychological health problems of migrants; ③ status of occurrence of emergent public health events.RESULTS: ① In Three-Gorges dam areas, local socio-economy development greatly lags behind, which consequently results in poor income in local people.② In recent years, the incidence of floating people-related diseases greatly in creased in Three-Gorges areas. ③ Migration had resulted in socio-psychological health problems of migrants. ④ The public health system in reservoirs is very weak, which may result in possible emergent publichealth events.CONCLUSION: It is urgent to closely study the existing problems, and to take active preventive measures to reduce the impact of socio-environmental factors on population health as possible.