New challenges for occupational health services facing economic reform in China

In China, which is facing economic reform and the rapid development of small-scale industries, various occupational hazards are reappearing. The problems are related to the ignorance of the managers and the workers, a lack of capital, the insufficiency of occupational health services, and the transfer of some hazardous work from large factories in the cities to small plants in the towns and villages. The change in life-style, especially in smoking habits, has aggravated occupational hazards. The problems may be solved by renewing the concept of health among the managers and workers, enforcing legislation related to occupational hazards, strengthening health personnel training, and reinforcing health education and self-help.