State Council issues plan to prevent chronic diseases

2017-02-14
english.gov.cn

The State Council has released a medium- to long-term plan (2017-2025) on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

The plan, based on the “Healthy China 2030” blueprint, is to help reduce people’s financial burden in medical expenses, improve the average life expectancy and boost their health.

By 2020, premature death between 30 to 70 years old caused by chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes would be reduced 10 percent compared with 2015, and the number would be decreased 20 percent by 2025, according to the plan.

The number of people with a regular exercising habit is expected to reach 500 million, and the smoking rate among people over 15 years old would be held to 20 percent by 2025.

To reach the goals and expectations, several measures would be taken, according to the plan.

First is strengthening education to improve citizens’ health quality. Governments at all levels are urged to spread knowledge of prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, and advocate a healthy lifestyle.

Second is diagnosing diseases in the early stage and providing special care for high-risk groups. The plan asks related departments to provide intervention and guidance for the high-risk group of people over 35, add the examination of pulmonary function and bone mineral to the medical check list of people over 40, and encourage inoculations.

Third is improving tiered medical services. The government will further promote family doctor services and involve people already suffering from chronic diseases, and establish a medical quality management and control platform to improve medical services.

Fourth is promoting the coordination of prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The plan urges setting up chronic disease centers in qualified areas and prevention and treatment systems of traditional Chinese medicine.

Fifth is providing policy support and reducing people’s burden in medical costs. Medical insurance and social aid policies will be improved, diversified health insurance services will be further developed and production and supply of medicines will be guaranteed.

Sixth is building a green living environment by improving the policy support. More strict smoking control policies would be enforced, and food safety and quality of drinking water would also be guaranteed, said the plan.

In addition, development of health service industries will get a boost, and scientific research and transformation of its results will be encouraged.

The State Council urges all related departments, such as the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance, to implement their own responsibilities, to make sure the measures are put into effect.