Is Healthcare Becoming an Issue of Homeland Security for China?

While China remains a leader in the arms race for power, and a booming economy this nation is dragging it's tail in national healthcare. ChinaToday.com reports that nearly 500,000 people die annually from Hepatitis A, and in the northern portion of China more cases of fatal cancers are being reported over the last 20 years. Not to mention the spread of AIDS although not rapid, still poses concern for a country with so many people in urban areas. The report along with many predictions in the Dreyer readings state that the recent "westernized" success of the bourgiese have created a tendency for bad western world habits such as "fast food" and "smoking." These new habits, may pose a threat to the well-being of Chinese society in the near future. Another concern is the inefficient health care system, which was ranked as 144 in overall performance by the World Health Organization (WHO). China has an immediate concern in creating a better system that will provide the necessary tools to control the spread of infectious diseases and keep its citizens in good health in order to prevent diseases. As Dreyer stated "unhealthy citizens lag in productivity, and threaten the strength of the overall nation." Personally, I feel that China along with the United States and other so-called developed countries lack the sense of urgency in health care as a matter of homeland security. It seems only logical that a failing health care system, is due to the government or governing body somehow failing the society as a whole. I think it is important that China establishes a better system that better serves the people's basic needs. Maslow hierarchy of needs states, without basic needs such as health and security being met, one will never reach self-actualization. I conclude with my personal opinion that for China and any other nation to continue forward, they must return to the basics and then forge ahead.