Health Care : Current Reviews

BUILDING AND OPERATING A PETROCHEMICAL COMPLEX IN A POOR COMMUNITY: NOT IN MY BACKYARD (NIMBY) OR EXPECTING BENEFITS

Global Health Economics Summit

July 25-26, 2016 Berlin, Germany

Chi Pang Wen

Institute of Population Health Sciences, Taiwan
China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Health Care: Current Reviews

Abstract:

Objective: To compare the health and economic experience of residents in a poor neighborhood next to a large petrochemical complex (PC) with 20,000 workers, in off-shore Taiwan, before and after year 2000 when built. Methods: Selected exposure data from inside and outside PC, cancer rates, life expectancy, and economic benefits were analyzed. A health examination program for the residents living near PC was conducted between May 2014 and May 2015. Results: Exposures were low for workers and for residents. High cancer rates and shortened life expectancy, historically ranked lowest in Taiwan, due to high smoking and HCV (+) rates, improved. Sites like leukemia were not elevated. A total of 8299 residents participated in the health examination program. Unhealthy lifestyles were found among male residents, including smoking (29%), betel quit chewing (12%), drinking (25%) and inactivity (67%). Upon its operation, PC generated revenues amounting to 9.2% GDP. An influx of population (+ 23%) occurred amid a decreasing trend elsewhere. Conclusions: Residents improved their poor health after PC, reversing the trend. PC offered funds and services, reducing unhealthy behavior, and led to robust economic benefits.

Biography :

Email: cwengood@nhri.org.tw