In just 20 years’ time, the population of people over 60 years old in China is projected to reach 28% of the population, up from 10% today, due to longer life expectancy and declining fertility rates, making it one of the most rapidly-ageing populations in the world.
This huge demographic shift presents new challenges and opportunities for public health and socioeconomic development – in particular, the development of an integrated system that caters to the health and social needs of older people, 75% of whom suffer from noncommunicable diseases, with equal access to health care regardless of geographical area.
Playing a key part in these efforts is the National Center for Gerontology (NCG), the laureate of the 2021 His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion.
“This is not only an affirmation of the work of our centre, but also an affirmation of China's efforts to promote health and the health of the elderly over the past 20 years. I will spare no effort to lead all the staff of our center to continue to work for the promotion of the health of elderly people in China,” said Wang Jian Ye, NCG Director, in his acceptance speech on behalf of the Center.
Making possible elderly access to integrated care
China has been innovating for improved access of older people to integrated care, by means of a community-based social and health care system that covers also chronic disease control and prevention, strengthened health services and is staffed with a large health workforce.
In March 2015, the former National Health and Family Planning Commission officially approved the establishment of the National Center for Gerontology. This made it possible to integrate scientific research, clinical care, rehabilitation services, public health policies and health management into one.
Inauguration Ceremony of the National Center for Gerontology, March 2015. Credit: National Center for Gerontology
The Center is based at Beijing Hospital, an institution with long experience in gerontological research, training and care, networked with more than 60 medical institutions across the country.
The Center is responsible for the prevention and control of ageing-related poor health in China, primarily through: developing national strategies, leading critical research, promoting the health of older people in remote areas, training of health professionals, and international exchange of knowledge and ideas in the area of ageing.
Unprecedented challenges and opportunities during the pandemic
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Center has adapted its work and practices, and has developed an additional set of online courses.
The Beijing Hospital, as a public Class-A tertiary hospital affiliated to the National Health Commission, responded to emerging needs at the start of the pandemic and set up a national medical team to help fight against COVID-19 in the Hubei Province. 151 medical professionals from the Centre were dispatched to Wuhan in support of the local health services.
Experts from the National Center for Gerontology at a medical consultation meeting in Wuhan during the pandemic, 2020. Credit: National Center for Gerontology
Research that responds to health challenges
Focusing on health education and health promotion for older people, NCG has provided over 1600 training courses to medical personnel. In the past five years, it has delivered 1200 study courses to over 60 000 participants. Health professionals from underdeveloped areas join the trainings without any charge.
NCG-led research covers mechanisms of ageing, ageing markers, patterns of health status in older age, and health promotion and maintenance of functional ability of older people.
Wang Jian Ye, Director of the National Center for Gerontology at the Inaugural Conference of China One Health Think Tank for the Elderly, November 2018. Credit: National Center for Gerontology
The Center is also responsible for publishing five journals and developed the National Plan for the Elderly Health Service System (2019–2022). Building on its extensive research and capacity-building efforts in this area, it has established the Geriatric Health University and the Moroccan College of the Geriatric Health University, which specialize in disease management and medication for elderly populations.
Annual Conference of Geriatricians of the China Doctors’ Association, organized by the National Center for Gerontology, August 2020. Credit: National Center for Gerontology
Partner recognition
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the 2021 laureate, the National Center for Gerontology (China), which was chosen by the Selection Panel from among other candidates, for its outstanding achievements in health research, training and promotion, for developing the National Plan for the Elderly Health Service System (2019–2022) in China, and for undertaking projects and positive initiatives on public health and health of the elderly. I wish the officials of the Center further progress and success,” said Dr Bassel Humoud Al-Sabah, Minister of Health, Kuwait, Representative of the State of Kuwait Health Promotion Foundation.
China developed a national five-year plan (2016-2020) based on WHO recommendations to improve the health and well-being of older populations, and to move closer to the achievement of universal health coverage for all at all ages.
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Caring for the health of the elderly in China - World Health Organization
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