Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - June 15, 2004
Anjira Assavanonda
The report, released yesterday, listed four major chronic illnesses affecting the population - respiratory, muscular and bone, stomach, and heart and artery diseases.
This is the first annual health report specifically published for the benefit of the general public. The report was conducted by Mahidol University's Population and Social Research Institute, with support from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.
Asst Prof Vasana Im-aim, a contributor to the report, said the death rate has risen, particularly among men. The two leading causes of death are HIV/Aids and road accidents.
Contributory factors to road accidents are speeding and driving without safety belts or crash helmets. A report last year stated that only 14% of motorcyclists wore helmets.
The disability rate over the past 10 years has remained stable. The number of disabled people last year accounted for 1.7% of the population, with the most common disabilities being paralysis and mental retardation.
Malnutrition has been on the decline but Thais are more likely than ever to suffer from over-consumption, while the problem of food being contaminated with chemicals or germs remains for the most part unsolved.
As for drinking, smoking and drug habits, the report concluded that young people have become the new target of tobacco and alcohol industries, resulting in a continuous increase in the number of young smokers and drinkers over the past five years.
Attitudes to safe sex are also worrying. People are having sex at much younger ages, with the use of condoms still unpopular. About 9% of women aged 15-19 had undergone abortions.
Exercise has become more popular among younger people, but the rate remains low for the elderly and workers.
Mental health problems are soaring but they receive little attention from the authorities. More people are suffering from depression, with the suicide rate on the increase.
Asst Prof Chuenruthai Kanjanajitra of the Population and Social Research Institute, said the report touches on the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of the population, with the aim of increasing people's ability to take care of themselves.
"We want Thais to be aware that their health is something more than just being sick," said Ms Chuenruthai.
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