干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

This article elucidates the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) he recognition of desertification among people living in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China, HRQOL was assessed with a three-dimensional survey of general health perception, vitality, and general mental health based on a 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Scores for general health perception were approximately the same in the city and the village communities. Vitality and mental health scores were significantly lower for women in the village communities than for other groups. In the village communities, HRQOL was significantly and positively correlated with income. The inhabitants of the village communities were more satisfied with their fife situation than those in the city, in spite of the economic gap between them. Levels of recognition of desertification were lower in the village communities than in the city.