Improving reproductive health status. The Chinese government has been developing new programs in line with the ICPD Program of Action
Li, H.
Integration 1998(56): 20-22
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0916-0582 PMID: 12294060 Document Number: 635752
This article describes China's efforts to implement the 1994 ICPD Program of Action, and the prospects for Chinese population and family planning (FP) in the 21st century. Since the late 1970s, FP has been identified as an essential, strategic national program. By the 1990s, FP was recognized as important throughout Chinese society and IEC, services, and management of FP were strengthened. FP programs went through 5 phases: initial phase (1953-61); experimental phase (1962-70); expansion (1971-78); promotion and implementation nationwide (1979-90); and steady improvement (since 1991). Strict FP policies were adopted due to a large population size, poor economic base, uneven development, and underdeveloped productivity. Despite FP achievements, there are still major problems. Population increases at a rate of 20 million births/year, or 13 million surplus births/year. China has per capita arable land of only 0.078 hectares, which is under 25% of the world average. Freshwater is under 20% of the world average. Surplus labor amounts to 190 million workers, and the number is increasing due to market reforms. Remote and poor areas lack FP and it is a major challenge to improve literacy and health. Society must support a growing elderly population. 50 million are poverty stricken, mostly in remote areas with high illiteracy, morbidity, and fertility. Sex ratios are imbalanced and China's population is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2020. New program approaches include linking FP promotion with socioeconomic development, and meeting reproductive health needs over the life cycle.