Participants at an international health forum said yesterday that while economic development of a country helps improve the public's health by increasing people's capacity to purchase the necessary goods and services, it can hurt the environment and have a negative impact on people's health.
"Economic development has led to air pollution, water pollution and the depletion of the ozone layer, all of which are serious health risk factors," said Yang Ming-chin (楊銘欽), a professor in National Taiwan University's public health department, at the Global Forum For Health Leaders.
The forum was organized by the Taiwan National University's College of Law and the National Health Research Institute.
Yang cited a 1999 study which said that 25 to 33 percent of the global burden of diseases can be attributed to environmental risk factors.
Yang said that one of the most serious effects of the industrial and agricultural boom in Taiwan was polluted rivers and streams.
Yang said that another important effect of economic development was the impact it has on people's lifestyles.
According to statistics from the National Institute of Public Health in Sweden, high blood pressure, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high cholesterol and being overweight are five of the leading health risk factors.
Koong Shin-lan (
In Taiwan, the rapid rise in breast cancer and cancer of the esophagus have been attributed by DOH officials to lifestyle changes brought about by economic growth.
Yang said economic development also affects health by causing stress.
"In Taiwan, in the electronic industry in particular, a lot of people are under a lot of pressure because they work very long hours. They don't have any time to get married or to do recreational activities. It's very bad for their health," he said.
A Swedish delegate attending the forum said that governments should "balance possible threats to health when promoting economic development."
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