In today’s talking points: Elderly care market to open in China by 2020; Alipay to push for organ donors; Aussie Study: Health risks on long haul flights greater than expected.
Elderly care market to open in China by 2020
China will open its elderly care market within the next 3 years according to a policy document released in December 2016. The elderly market will substantially increase the supply of products and services on the market, standardize regulations and raise service quality. According to the document, authorities will work to raise the service quality of elderly care in both urban and rural communities and promote Internet-based elderly care services in order to provide immediate care. China’s aging population is increasingly becoming a major social issue. Currently there exist more than 220 million people over 60 years old in China with a total of 15.3 per cent of senior citizens believe they are in need of more care.
Read more at: Xinhua
Alipay to push for organ donations
Real-name users of Alipay can register to become organ donors via the payment platform. By simply searching for ‘Medicare’ on Alipay, users can enter the registration page managed by the China Organ Transplantation Development Foundation. A recent survey by the foundation and various online platforms showed that 83 per cent of respondents were willing to become voluntary organ donors. Huang Jiefu, president of the China Organ Transplantation Development Foundation, stated that over ‘130 million Americans have signed up as organ donors, while in China there are only 80,000’. However registration will simply express an intention to donate. Organs will not be taken before strict medical and ethical evaluation. Registration may also be cancelled at any time.
Read more at: Xinhua
Aussie Study: Health risks of long-haul flights greater than expected
A study conducted by the Baker IDI Research Institute in Melbourne have discovered the risks of blood clots on flights of four hours or more with trips of a duration of over 12 hours proving to be most hazardous. Research has shown that Deep Vein Thrombosis, the clotting of blood in the deep veins in the legs which could dislodge and cause greater health issues, occurs in up to 10% of long-haul flights. Whist most cases of DVT result in no showing symptoms, experts believe that airlines should make it a greater priority for the risks to be known. Simple measures such as moving around every few hours, doing leg exercises, staying hydrated and avoiding beverages such as coffee and alcohol can significantly lower your risks.
Read More at: ABC