Category: In the news

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telemedicine worldwide. Understanding how demand for telemedicine services expands during and after the pandemic is important in assessing its sustainability into the future. This study uses detailed transaction data from one of China’s largest online healthcare platforms to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the demand for telemedicine services in China, and the dynamics of this demand. We empirically…

Continue reading “New Publication: Dynamic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the demand for telemedicine services: Evidence from China”

Abstract The uneven distribution of medical resources in China has been a persistent concern. This is particularly evident among patients with severe diseases, who often seek better medical resources, resulting in inter-city patient mobility. This research aims to analyze the uneven distribution of medical resources for these patients in China, focusing on their inter-city mobility patterns. Using patients’ information (n = 202,817) collected from a nationwide severe disease mutual aid platform in…

Continue reading “New Publication: The uneven distribution of medical resources for severe diseases in China: An analysis of the disparity in inter-city patient mobility”

Summary Background Hospitals in China are classified into tiers (1, 2 or 3), with the largest (tier 3) having more equipment and specialist staff. Differential health insurance cost-sharing by hospital tier (lower deductibles and higher reimbursement rates in lower tiers) was introduced to reduce overcrowding in higher tier hospitals, promote use of lower tier hospitals, and limit escalating healthcare costs. However, little is known about the effects of differential cost-sharing…

Continue reading “New Publication: Association between health insurance cost-sharing and choice of hospital tier for cardiovascular diseases in China: a prospective cohort study”

An article by The Wire China, “A Crackdown Comes for Healthcare,” discusses how China’s campaign to crack down on medical corruption across its healthcare sector is unfolding—now over half a year since the campaign launched—and what underlying issues remain unaddressed. Dr. Winnie Yip, who co-authored a study published last year on medical corruption in China, is among the experts who shared their insights. Dr. Yip describes the market-driven nature of…

Continue reading “How China’s Medical Anti-Corruption Crackdown is Unfolding”

Abstract The international consensus in support of universal health coverage (UHC), though commendable, thus far lacks a clear mechanism to finance and deliver accessible and effective basic healthcare to the two billion rural residents and informal workers of low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs). Importantly, the two preferred financing modes for UHC, general tax revenue and social health insurance, are often infeasible for LLMICs. We identify from historical examples a community-based model that…

Continue reading “New Publication: Financing and provision of healthcare for two billion people in low-income nations: Is the cooperative healthcare model a solution?”

Abstract The burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continues to increase in developing countries like China, but the access to STI care is often limited. The emergence of direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine offers unique opportunities for patients to directly access health services when needed; However, the quality of STI care provided by telemedicine platforms remains unknown. After systemically identifying the universe of DTC telemedicine platforms providing on-demand consultations in China in…

Continue reading “New Publication: The quality of telemedicine consultations for sexually transmitted infections in China”

Abstract Primary health care (PHC) is the most effective way to improve people’s health and well-being, and primary care services should act as the cornerstone of a resilient health system and the foundation of universal health coverage. To promote high quality development of PHC, an International Symposium on Quality Primary Health Care Development was held on December 4–5, 2023 in Beijing, China, and the participants have proposed and advocated the…

Continue reading “New Publication: Building quality primary health care development in the new era towards universal health coverage: a Beijing initiative”

People’s Daily [人民日报], an official Chinese government media outlet, circulated an insightful interview from Ren Zhi Chu [人之初] magazine featuring Professor Winnie Yip, Faculty Director of the Harvard China Health Partnership. The interview, titled “China’s Healthcare Reform: Achievements and Challenges Coexist,” delved into the 2009 healthcare reform’s multi-faceted progress in healthcare financing, payment, and the strengthening of the supply side, and highlighted the challenges brought by socioeconomic constraints. We invite…

Continue reading “Reflecting on the Progresses and Challenges Since China’s 2009 Healthcare Reform — an Interview with Dr. Winnie Yip”

Abstract This report analyses the underlying causes of China’s achievements and gaps in universal health coverage over the past 2 decades and proposes policy recommendations for advancing universal health coverage by 2030. Although strong political commitment and targeted financial investment have produced positive outcomes in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health and infectious diseases, a fragmented and hospital-centric delivery system, rising health-care costs, shallow benefit coverage of health insurance schemes, and…

Continue reading “New Publication: Universal health coverage in China part 2: addressing challenges and recommendations”