During a press conference on September 12, Yu Xuejun, the Deputy Director of the National Health Commission (NHC), addressed critical concerns about chronic diseases in China. Speaking in Beijing, he pointed out that the aging population and shifting lifestyles are contributing to an alarming rise in chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, which now account for over 80% of total deaths in the country.
When asked about the national strategies for combating chronic diseases, Yu identified several significant challenges, including high incidence rates, long durations of illness, low effective control rates, and the economic burden these diseases impose. He stressed the urgent need for a coordinated response to these health issues, emphasizing their direct impact on public health and socio-economic development.
Yu shared the NHC’s commitment to a prevention-first approach that integrates both medical and preventive care. The goal is to establish a health management system that serves the entire population throughout their lifecycle. Specifically, the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes have been included in the broader Healthy China initiative, viewed as a major government priority.
To support this initiative, the NHC has collaborated with more than ten departments to implement the “National Medium- and Long-Term Plan for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases (2017-2025).” This extensive strategy aims at multi-disease prevention and management. Remarkably, over 97% of counties are participating in nationwide campaigns promoting healthier lifestyles by encouraging reduced intake of salt, oil, and sugar, as well as fostering good dental health, achieving a healthy weight, and maintaining strong bones.
As of 2023, there are 485 national demonstration areas dedicated to chronic disease prevention and control, with county-level coverage at 17%. Furthermore, the NHC has prioritized early screening and intervention for major chronic diseases, progressively developing a comprehensive management service model that encompasses prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This proactive strategy has led to a significant decrease in the premature mortality rate from major chronic diseases, dropping from 18.5% in 2015 to 15.0% in 2023.
