In the 75 years since the establishment of New China, the nation has made remarkable progress in developing a universal basic medical and health system, largely due to strong leadership from the central government. Medical resources and service improvements have continuously increased, and recent data shows that the average life expectancy in China has reached 78.6 years, more than double the 35 years recorded in 1949. This achievement illustrates considerable advancements, with key health indicators now exceeding those common in middle- and high-income countries, emphasizing China’s distinctive approach to health and development.
When it comes to building a robust public health defense, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has emerged as a significant concern, ranking second in prevalence in China after hypertension and diabetes. Recently, COPD has been incorporated into the national basic public health service projects, which means that health services for COPD patients will now receive government backing, much like programs for childhood vaccinations and breast and cervical cancer screenings for rural women. This historic inclusion has the potential to drastically reshape the prevention and management of COPD in China.
Since the inception of New China, there has been a steady rise in public health investment, which has strengthened public health defenses and established a comprehensive disease prevention network. These efforts have earned China recognition as a polio-free country, while the infection rate of chronic hepatitis B among children under five has plummeted from nearly 10% to below 1%.
Reforming the medical and health system is crucial for addressing public challenges in accessing medical care. In December 1996, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council convened the first national health work conference, followed by the publication of a key reform document in 1997. A new wave of healthcare reform began in 2009, which included major changes in public hospitals by eliminating drug markups.
One significant achievement has been the bolstering of monitoring and warning systems for infectious diseases, effectively reducing the risks of outbreaks. China has advanced pathogen detection methods capable of identifying over 300 known pathogens within 24 hours and new pathogens within 60 hours. The country boasts the largest direct reporting system for infectious diseases in the world.
On the front of medical innovation, Lei Haichao, director of the National Health Commission, noted that China is now the second-largest country globally in new drug development. Since its establishment, particularly following the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party, there have been substantial advancements in developing major new drugs and initiatives targeting infectious diseases, such as successful vaccines for hand, foot, and mouth disease and new targeted therapies. China is increasingly capable of producing high-tech medical devices domestically, including CT scanners, ECMO machines, and MRI machines, effectively bridging the gap with developed countries.
The vitality of medical innovation remains strong, with the National Medical Products Administration approving 31 innovative drugs and 46 new medical devices in just the first eight months of this year. So far, a total of 296 innovative medical devices have received market approval, particularly in advanced fields like implantable devices, advanced imaging equipment, and artificial intelligence medical products.
Attention has also been drawn to the needs of patients with rare diseases. Huang Guo, deputy director of the National Medical Products Administration, explained that to address the drug needs of these patients, a series of incentive policies have been implemented to promote the research, development, and market entry of rare disease medications. Since 2018, more than 130 rare disease drugs have been approved, with 37 of these approvals occurring in the first eight months of this year alone.
China is equally dedicated to the innovation and preservation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). From the beginning of New China, integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine has been a key health strategy. Today, over 3,000 TCM standards are established nationwide, creating a solid foundation. The development of national regional medical centers for TCM and specialized hospitals highlights the growing role of TCM within the healthcare system, creating an effective service framework.
To promote healthier lifestyles among the public, China has initiated various programs, including the Healthy China Action and patriotic health campaigns, along with extensive health education efforts. This has resulted in a rise in health literacy, increasing from 17% in 2018 to 29.7% in 2023. The number of nationally recognized sanitary cities has reached 1,052, with 2,637 designated sanitary towns. Since the launch of public health service projects in 2009, per capita funding has increased from 15 yuan to a projected 94 yuan by 2024.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Healthy China Action, which emphasizes integrating health into all public policies and shifting the focus from simply treating illness to promoting overall health. By the end of last year, over 18,000 medical consortia had been established, with 92% of county-level hospitals achieving secondary or higher medical service capabilities. Furthermore, 13 types of national medical centers have been created, alongside 125 regional medical center projects initiated across 29 provinces, ensuring that every village has access to a clinic and every town has a health center.
During the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party Congress, a strategy prioritizing health development was proposed, with Lei Haichao emphasizing the importance of making the protection and improvement of public health a core goal in socio-economic development. With a concerted effort from all sectors of society, China is on a promising path toward a Healthy China, ultimately enhancing the welfare of its people.
