China has launched a nationwide survey of chronic disease prevention and control capabilities, examining all-level disease control and prevention centers and some selected grassroots healthcare units.

Conducted by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from July 20 to August 31, the survey covers CDC branch offices at all levels nationwide and has randomly selected 1,200 urban community and rural township healthcare centers.

According to the CDC, in 2005, about 80 percent of deaths in China were caused by chronic disease, including cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. By 2020, that figure may rise to 85 percent.

"Local healthcare institutions play an important role in curbing the growing prevalence of chronic diseases in China," director of the China International Center for Chronic Disease Prevention Yan Lijing told Xinhua Monday.

"These local healthcare services can directly reach patients in villages and townships, where the overall awareness of such diseases is lower than in big cities," Yan said.

The survey also includes public education about chronic disease prevention and control, including for the elderly.

"The earlier patients are aware of the chronic diseases and take proper medical treatment, the more likely they could overcome the diseases," said Beijing-based doctor Zhou Beiling.

"Community healthcare centers in some foreign countries pay home visits to patients suffering chronic disease and provide them with long-term treatment," said Zhou, chief physician at the Beijing Shijitan Hospital, one of the nation's leading hospitals for chronic disease treatment.

Chief physician at Beijing's Dongzhimen Hospital, Zhao Jinxi, said, "Gluttony, smoking, bad moods and a lack of exercise can all lead to chronic disease. People should really pay more attention to their health in their daily life."

Chronic diseases are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, accounting for 60 percent of all deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

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