Correspondence
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Lozano R, Wang H, Foreman KJ, et al. Progress towards Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on maternal and child mortality: an updated systematic analysis. Lancet 2011; 378: 1139–65. Waage J, Banerji R, Campbell O, et al. The Millennium Development Goals: a crosssectoral analysis and principles for goal setting after 2015. Lancet 2010; 376: 991–1023. Williams B, Hummelbrunner R. Systems concepts in action: a practitioner’s toolkit. Stanford: Stanford Business Books, 2010. Swanson RC, Cattaneo A, Bradley E, et al. Rethinking health systems strengthening: key systems thinking tools and strategies for transformational change. Health Policy Plan 2012; 27: iv54–61. Russell E, Johnson B, Larsen H, Novilla MLB, van Olmen J, Swanson RC. Health systems in context: a systematic review of the integration of the social determinants of health within health systems frameworks. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2013; 34: 461–67.
The effect of cultural practices on air pollution is often overlooked. However, the smog generated by Nian festivities cannot be overlooked in China nowadays. Chinese people need to reduce the use of fireworks or find a substitute to reduce air pollution. Tensions between cultural practices and environmental protections will not be easy to solve, because such traditional practices are deeply embedded in Chinese society, but it is time to reassess and improve the relations between culture and environmental issues. We declare no competing interests.
Nian: when Chinese mythology affects air pollution Air pollution is an important issue in China, with great consequences for health, especially in periods with extremely high particulate matter
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Lozano R, Wang H, Foreman KJ, et al. Progress towards Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on maternal and child mortality: an updated systematic analysis. Lancet 2011; 378: 1139–65. Waage J, Banerji R, Campbell O, et al. The Millennium Development Goals: a crosssectoral analysis and principles for goal setting after 2015. Lancet 2010; 376: 991–1023. Williams B, Hummelbrunner R. Systems concepts in action: a practitioner’s toolkit. Stanford: Stanford Business Books, 2010. Swanson RC, Cattaneo A, Bradley E, et al. Rethinking health systems strengthening: key systems thinking tools and strategies for transformational change. Health Policy Plan 2012; 27: iv54–61. Russell E, Johnson B, Larsen H, Novilla MLB, van Olmen J, Swanson RC. Health systems in context: a systematic review of the integration of the social determinants of health within health systems frameworks. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2013; 34: 461–67.
The effect of cultural practices on air pollution is often overlooked. However, the smog generated by Nian festivities cannot be overlooked in China nowadays. Chinese people need to reduce the use of fireworks or find a substitute to reduce air pollution. Tensions between cultural practices and environmental protections will not be easy to solve, because such traditional practices are deeply embedded in Chinese society, but it is time to reassess and improve the relations between culture and environmental issues. We declare no competing interests.
Nian: when Chinese mythology affects air pollution Air pollution is an important issue in China, with great consequences for health, especially in periods with extremely high particulate matter
