The China Endemic Diseases Society was founded in January 1994 as a voluntary body of national 1st category and an independent corporate body approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs after agreement of the Ministry of Health of China. The Society consists of leaders in charge of endemic diseases control at national/provincial/municipal/autonomous region levels, experts and scientists, professionals and personages of all social sectors concerned and enthusiastic in the control of endemic diseases.

    Endemic diseases in China include schistosomiasis, iodine deficiency disorders, plagues, brucellosis, Ke-shan diseases, Kaschin-Beck diseases, endemic flurosis, chronic arsenic poisoning, etc. All endemic diseases mentioned above have been extensively prevalent and seriously threatening to people’s health in this country.

    Since the founding of People’s Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party and government have paid close attention to the control of endemic diseases and recorded noticeable achievements by their sustained efforts for several decades. However, the control of these endemic diseases is quite difficult, because most of them are geochemical and biological diseases, although the etiology of them has been known. So the prevention, control and elimination of endemic diseases are still a long-term and difficult task in China. The aims of the Society are to unite all beteran and young staff involved in the control of endemic diseases from all departments concerned of the country and personages of all social sectors concerned and enthusiastic in the control of endemic diseases to support government in its efforts at the control of endemic diseases, to endeavor to accelerate the control and elimination of endemic diseases, to protect people’s health, to improve population quality and to promote economic and social development of China.

    The Society was established under the situation of successful reform and opening poling and establishment of socialistic market econemy in China. The Society brings into full play its features of mass participation, social relations and academic standing, and undertakes varied activities: conducting extensive health education, disminating the knowledge concerning the control of endemic diseases, organizing survey and research on the occurrence and control of endemic diseases, carrying out scientific consultation and academic exchange, developing and producing medicines and health products for the prevention and control and monitoring the quality, production and selling of the products together with relevant enterprises and institutions, commending thoes individuals with prominent contributions in the control of endemic diseases, publicizing and encouraging their industriousness and actively developing international exchange and cooperation.