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Choosing China: Health Considerations To Make If You’re Planning A Permanent Move There

Many people have a move overseas on their bucket list. China, especially given recent events, is often underrepresented, though.

However, there are many reasons why it would actually be an excellent choice.

If it is a place you would contemplate, continue reading for some essential considerations for your health.

Visa Requirements

Although not specifically about your health, this will help your wellbeing for sure. It is imperative to sort a visa well in advance of visiting.

Be sure also to have a significant period of time left on your passport.

A visa is usually only valid for thirty days.

During this time, it is intended that you will have sorted a temporary residence permit with help from your boss.

Because of this, the majority of people are sure to sort employment prior to arriving in China. Your work visa can last up to five years.

However, the length of your work contract will play a part in this. 

China is renowned for its stringent regulations regarding obtaining a green card allowing permanent residency.

The first possibility is if you are married to a Chinese national. For most, this is not the case.

The second way of being allowed to stay indefinitely is to have shown that you have made a significant impact financially to the country over the course of three consecutive years.

It is also essential to have a sound record with regard to taxes.

You will also need to show a variety of paperwork, including proof of marriage, health certification and passport.

Upon successfully obtaining this green card visa, you would then be able to leave and return to China freely for a period of either five or ten years.

Health Care

There are several options relating to health care in China, including public and private hospitals, as well as international institutions. The cost of health care differs vastly.

Many westerners consider the treatment received in public hospitals to be below expectations.

Therefore, many plumps for private health care cover.

To find health insurance in China, you have numerous options. Some employers offer it as a perk of the job.

However, for those who do not have this opportunity, finding your own is the best option.

The cost depends on many things, including existing health problems, physical fitness and age.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is a significant problem across China, particularly in the more densely populated city areas.

Industrialized areas have terrible issues with this too.

Terrible smog in cities plus the heavy use of fossil fuels are reasons. During the winter, owing to the increased use of coal to heat properties, the air quality deteriorates.

For asthma sufferers or those with sinus and lung diagnoses, these polluted conditions can aggravate the situation, causing them to flare up. 

Children, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems can be affected most of all. It is possible to medicate most of the aforementioned conditions.

However, it is best to avoid the pollution and any other thing that may worsen your health, and there are some cities where there are significantly fewer problems with this.

Some people opt to wear masks on high pollution days to offer themselves greater protection. Their effectiveness is not certain.

Water Quality

Greenpeace research shows that the country missed half of its water quality targets a few years ago.

They were put in place as the water there is renowned for being of poor quality.

In Shanghai, for example, in 2015, 85% of their surface water was found to be unsafe to drink. In fact, standards across the country are poor.

Therefore, it is recommended that bottled water is drunk in lieu of tap water. Not heeding this warning could result in ill health.

Malaria

Given the high levels of air pollution and overcrowding in densely populated areas, it may seem like a good idea to relocate to somewhere rural.

Unfortunately, malaria can be rife in these places.

This is a serious disease spread by mosquitoes.

When undiagnosed or untreated, it can be fatal.

Bite prevention is the best thing to do if you are certain that an area where malaria is common is where you’d like to move.

Covering your arms and legs, as well as using an insect repellant are ways of lowering your risk.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, and it is rife in some areas of China during their rainy season.

Although the fever is usually mild, lasting only around a week, it can be more severe. In some cases, it can even be life threatening.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or specific treatment available for this virus.

Therefore, it is best to avoid mosquito-ridden areas altogether.

The worst-hit areas for Dengue fever are Yunnan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Hainan.

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