February 26, 2013 | Ian G. Cook¹, GU Chaolin² & Jamie Halsall³
China's urbanization has led to significant health inequalities, posing challenges for the future. Rapid urban growth has increased the middle class and wealth, but also created health issues and disparities. Urban areas now face environmental pressures on air, water, and land, with poorer populations more affected. Cities are also aging, with a growing number of elderly people, and the floating population, vulnerable to health threats. Urbanization has accelerated since the 1970s, driven by market reforms and globalization, leading to rapid population growth and urban expansion. This has created new environmental and social challenges. Environmental threats include air pollution, water contamination, and land pollution, all of which disproportionately affect the poor. The aging population and floating population add to the complexity of urban health challenges. The paper highlights the need for targeted policies to address these inequalities, ensuring that vulnerable groups receive adequate support. It also discusses the impact of globalization on urban health, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to health equity in China's cities.China's urbanization has led to significant health inequalities, posing challenges for the future. Rapid urban growth has increased the middle class and wealth, but also created health issues and disparities. Urban areas now face environmental pressures on air, water, and land, with poorer populations more affected. Cities are also aging, with a growing number of elderly people, and the floating population, vulnerable to health threats. Urbanization has accelerated since the 1970s, driven by market reforms and globalization, leading to rapid population growth and urban expansion. This has created new environmental and social challenges. Environmental threats include air pollution, water contamination, and land pollution, all of which disproportionately affect the poor. The aging population and floating population add to the complexity of urban health challenges. The paper highlights the need for targeted policies to address these inequalities, ensuring that vulnerable groups receive adequate support. It also discusses the impact of globalization on urban health, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to health equity in China's cities.