Setting targets

The guideline on implementing the Healthy China Initiative and the two supporting documents put forward the overall objectives of the Healthy China Action by 2022 and 2030, Yu said.

Of the 15 campaigns proposed in the guideline, the first group of six covers health influencing factors ranging from popularization of health knowledge, a balanced diet, national fitness, tobacco control, mental health and a healthy environment. The second group of four campaigns focuses on health issues of key demographic groups such as mothers and children, primary and secondary school students, and workers. The third group of five campaigns addresses chronic diseases including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, as well as infectious and endemic diseases.

The guideline states that by 2030, main health indicators for residents in China will reach the levels of high-income countries and health equity will be basically realized. Specific health targets have been set for all 15 campaigns.

For instance, by 2022 and 2030, life expectancy will increase from the current 76.7 to 77.7 and 79, respectively; the infant mortality rate will be controlled at or below 7.5 and 5 per 1,000 live births, respectively; and the maternal mortality ratio will be reduced to below 18 and 12 per 100,000 live births, respectively.

The level of residents' health literacy will be raised from 14.18 percent in 2017 to 22 percent in 2022 and 30 percent in 2030.

Poor knowledge about health is reflected in a poor diet and other unhealthy lifestyles. Many people have a diet rich in sugar, fat and salt, which is leading to obesity and chronic diseases.

It has been reported that Chinese people's waistline has been expanding at a rate much faster than the country's economic growth rate, and China has exceeded the U.S. as the country with the largest number of overweight people. Data in the Healthy China Action by 2022 and 2030 show that as of 2012, 30.1 percent of Chinese adults were overweight and 11.9 were obese, up 32 percent and 67.6 percent, respectively, from 2002. Among children aged between 6 and 17, the overweight and obesity rate was 9.6 percent and 6.4 percent, respectively, doubling and tripling that of 2002.

On the other hand, malnutrition still has not been eliminated. The action plan showed that during the 2010-12 period, 6 percent of adults suffered from malnutrition, and 8.1 percent of children under the age of 5 suffered from growth retardation. Moreover, the anemia rate among pregnant women, children and the elderly was still high. Deficiencies in micronutrients such as calcium, iron, and vitamins A and D still existed, and people's intake of dietary fiber was insufficient.

Lack of physical exercise is also a reason for a high incidence of chronic diseases. According to the national fitness survey conducted by the General Administration of Sport of China, the proportion of urban and rural residents who often took part in physical exercise was 33.9 percent in 2014. In particular, only 14.7 percent of residents aged 20 to 69 regularly exercised.

The documents aim to lower the obesity rate and increase the proportion of people engaging in regular exercises to at least 37 percent and 40 percent by the year 2022 and 2030, respectively, while offering dietary and fitness advice.

Furthermore, the action plan has set binding targets to ensure the health of primary and middle school students. For instance, primary and middle schools are mandated to offer physical education and health courses and eyesight protection exercises, and let students have at least one hour of physical activities on campus every day. By 2030, 90 percent of these schools must have full-time or part-time health teachers and professional health workers as well as full-time or part-time psychological consultants.

In addition to physical fitness goals, the documents also addressed mental health. Currently, the prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders is 2.1 percent and 4.98 percent, respectively, according to the action plan. By the end of 2017, 5.81 million people with severe mental disorders had been registered, but because of lack of awareness of and prejudice against these diseases, many people do not seek medical help.

The action plan set mental health targets for the years 2022 and 2030, stating that the prevalence of insomnia, anxiety disorders and depression will decrease; the number of psychiatrists per 100,000 people will reach 3.3 and 4.5, respectively; the treatment rate of depression will increase by 30 percent and 80 percent, respectively; and the treatment rate of registered schizophrenia patients will reach 80 percent and 85 percent, respectively.

The three documents are based on scientific research and practices, Yu said at the press conference, calling on the general public to participate in the initiative. "By taking part in the Healthy China Initiative, you will benefit from it and so will your family and our country," he said.

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