More than 260 million Chinese people suffer from chronic diseases, which lead to about 85 percent of all deaths in the country, according to Ministry of Health research revealed on Monday.

Kong Lingzhi, deputy director of the department of diseases prevention and control under the Ministry, said at a regular conference that cardiovascular diseases, malignant tumors, diabetes, and respiratory diseases are the major chronic diseases that affect the health of Chinese.

Kong added that rapid industrialization, urbanization and an ever-aging population mean the number of the country's patients with chronic diseases has been rising continually and quickly. Therefore, chronic diseases have placed heavy pressure on China's healthcare system, as such cases account for 70 percent of the total burden of diseases.

However, society still lacks awareness of the risks of chronic diseases, warned Kong, adding that inter-departmental coordination is needed to provide publicity on the issue.

China has recently published a four-year work plan for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases from 2012-2015. The country's first national work plan of its kind sets the goal of adding a year to the average life expectancy of the population.

Kong said health departments have strengthened publicity work to encourage more social participation, and almost doubled dedicated public financial input compared to 2011.

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