The Status and Challenges of Primary Health Care in China

This article systematically reviews the development of primary health care in China over the past 45 years, using data from the "China Health Statistics Yearbook" for 2010-2012, the "China Health and Family Planning Statistics Yearbook" for 2013-2017, and the "China Health and Health Statistics Yearbook" for 2018-2022, along with 2023 World Bank data on infant mortality, maternal mortality rates, and average life expectancy for China and countries with varying income levels. The development of primary health care in China is divided into four stages, with achievements including the gradual improvement of the primary health care network, universal coverage of basic medical insurance, and the expansion of basic public health services in scope and funding. There has been a steady increase in family doctor contracting percentages and continuous improvement in the health status of women and children, positioning key health indicators of China among the top of upper-middle-income countries. Current challenges include imbalanced infrastructure development in primary health care, a declining proportion of medical insurance funds, lack of vitality in operational mechanisms, and insufficient incentives due to low salary levels. This paper summarizes the international experience relevant to primary health care and proposes future development strategies in China.