Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina – which is the light sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. RP could be the result of harmful changes of more than 50 genes that researchers have identified. Common symptoms include difficulty seeing at night and a loss of side (peripheral) vision.
It is generally estimated that the disorder affects roughly 1 in 4,000 people worldwide. There are roughly 400,000 RP patients in China.
In May 2018, RP was officially included in the first "Rare Diseases Catalogue" jointly issued by the National Health Commission and five other agencies.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine (hyperglycemia). There are three main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Hyperglycemia, if left unchecked over the long term, can cause damage to various body organs, leading to the development of disabling and life-threatening health complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy and eye diseases, leading to retinopathy and blindness.
About 425 million adults worldwide have diabetes, which has become one of the most serious health crises in the 21st century.
Gastrointestinal Cancer
The digestive tract is an important part of the digestive system. It starts from the mouth and continues to the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and finally the anal canal.
Gastric cancer is a malignant tumor originating from the gastric mucosal epithelium. It is one of the most common gastrointestinal tumors and a serious threat to life and health. Its pathogenesis is closely related to lifestyle choices, heredity, and colorectal adenoma, which calls for further attention.
There is no obvious symptom in the early stage of gastric cancer, and it is often misidentified as chronic gastritis. The latest epidemiological research shows that in 2014, there were about 410,000 new cases of gastric cancer in China, accounting for 40% of all new cases worldwide; the five-year survival rate was 36% compared to over 60% for Japan and South Korea. Therefore, early screening and detection of gastric cancer is of great importance.
Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the general term that refers to the ischemic or hemorrhagic effects of the heart, brain and whole body tissues caused by hyperlipidemia, blood viscosity, atherosclerosis and hypertension, etc. They are closely tied to tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol. Hypertension is the most important risk factor for stroke and cerebrovascular diseases as it can change the structure of blood vessels and result in atherosclerosis.
There are more than 290 million patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in China. It accounts for over 24 million death each year, making it number one cause of death for urban and rural residents. Nevertheless it is estimated that 90% of CVD is preventable.
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