BEIJING, Dec. 8 -- Shanghai is launching the nation's first trial program on hypertension intervention at three communities to reduce the number of patients that flock to more expensive hospitals instead of neighborhood health centers.

Jointly launched by the Shanghai Center of Disease Prevention and Control and US-based Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, the one or 1 1/2-year program will take effect early next year and cover 350,000 residents.

According to a National Survey on Nutrition and Health Status of Chinese People in 2002, about 2 million people have high blood pressure in the city due to unhealthy lifestyles, improper medication and low awareness.

"Though hypertension is known by the public, people still don't take it seriously. Many patients even don't take medicine regularly," said Li Xinjian, director of the CDC's chronic disease department. "In addition, the professional standards in neighborhoods don't meet people's requirements and most patients still go to big hospitals while ignoring nearby health centers."

The program wants to introduce a better medical system by transferring chronic disease patients from crowded city-based hospitals to neighborhood health centers, which offer cheaper services.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)