The tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest crises of our times with 8 million people dying of a tobacco-related illness every year. But in addition to illness and death, it's also tied to impoverishment. This triple impact is felt deeply in China, where many people continue to either smoke or be exposed to second-hand smoke. James Chau speaks with Dr Angela Pratt, who was part of the ministerial team in Australia that introduced plain packaging to the world - and now works on tobacco control, as well as other areas of health, at the World Health Organization. She shares her insights on China, a country she has lived and worked in, and why she believes its creation of smoke-free cities provides a template for a happier future.
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Nov 11 , 2019 |The biggest 24 hours of shopping in the world happens each year not on ‘Black Friday’, but on November 11th. In Asia, it’s called ‘Double Eleven’, or ‘Singles Day’, and billions of dollars of shopping takes place online. But the real story is not how much is spent, but how e-commerce is helping alleviate poverty in China. Through increased mobility, business, and choice, countless numbers of lives are being given a second chance each year. James Chau takes a deep dive into this incredible story.
Nov 07 , 2019 |Once considered taboo to discuss, mental health is now rising up on the global agenda, including at this year's UN General Assembly, as the evidence linking it to wellbeing, the economy, and our future continues to build. In China, overcoming this challenge is all the more critical, as 1.4 billion people contend with the changing expectations, pressure, and income inequality that has accompanied the country’s dramatic drastic economic transformation of the last 40 years. Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder have become some of the new realities - but with few resources available to those that struggle with their mental health, some people must turn to their own methods for maintaining their wellbeing. We look at the emerging trends and the cultural traditions that could offer hope for the future.
Oct 31 , 2019 |Today, almost every girl and boy in China goes to school, but that wasn’t the case 70 years ago, when close to 80% of the country was illiterate.