The center will focus on conducting investigations, research and supervision of various diseases and public health problems, and suggesting corresponding prevention and control measures, sources with the Ministry of Health said Wednesday.

The center will also provide a scientific basis for the ministry to make health policies, laws and regulations.

China's present epidemic and disease prevention system has lagged behind the development of various diseases and public health problems brought on by industrialization and the aging of the population, sources said.

Many difficulties in improving the country's health were the result of the shortage of advanced technologies in preventive medicine, adequate epidemic supervision and effective health education.

Official figures show that 90 percent of people die from chronic and non-infectious diseases, such as tumors and blood diseases of the heart and brain.

At the same time, China is becoming an "aging society," with 10 percent of its population over 60. This will also bring many public health problems which will need effective supervision and study.

The center will also cover the hygienic supervision of food, workplaces, schools and other public places.

Prevention and control programs against various diseases will be created by the center, which will also be in charge of evaluating the development of the programs.

All nation's vaccination programs will be carried out by the center and its branches, and all the biological products for prevention will be under the control and management of the center.

(China Daily 08/02/2001)