Book launch boosts awareness on neurological disorders in China

The National Center for Neurological Disorders, based at Capital Medical University's Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing, launched a series of books early this week focused on spreading health awareness about common and major neurological disorders.

The collection comprises eight books that each tackle a different condition. The eight types of illnesses are Alzheimer's disease, stroke, dizziness, headache, sleep disorders, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and rare neurological disorders.

These books illustrate basic knowledge pertaining to the diseases, ranging from their characteristics and treatment approaches to how to care for patients and prevention methods. They also provide guidance on healthy lifestyles and diets to help the public improve their health levels.

Neurological diseases are the leading cause of disability and the top killer in China, official data shows.

Zhao Guoguang, director of the center and chief reviewer of the series, said as China's elderly population is forecast to exceed 400 million by 2035, the disease burden resulting from neurological conditions is bound to rise significantly, highlighting the significance of boosting health education.

Meanwhile, the nation's healthcare system has been shifting from a treatment-centered approach to a health-centered one, requiring medical service providers to devote comprehensive efforts into health promotion, disease prevention, as well as diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.