Community-Based Public Health Initiative for Common Geriatric Diseases Holds Mid-Term Review Meeting

Empower Community Medical Services, Promote Healthy Aging

ShanghaiOctober 30, 2023PR Newswire -- Recently, the "Public Welfare Project for Capacity Building in the Prevention and Treatment of Common Diseases in the Elderly at the Community Level," initiated by the China Primary Health Care Foundation (hereinafter referred to as "CPHCF"), supported by Johnson & Johnson, and managed by Give2Asia, successfully held an online interim summary meeting. The project aims to improve primary medical service levels starting from community healthcare, and to support the prevention, health care, and health education of two common elderly diseases: atrial fibrillation and cataracts. At the meeting, Huang Yuqian, representative of the Oasis of Life Patient Aid Public Welfare Fund under the China Primary Health Care Foundation, along with special guests including experts from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, and Peking Union Medical College Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, gathered to review and summarize the project's progress and achievements over the past two years. Together, they explored ways to better integrate social resources and collaborate to enhance community medical service standards, thereby contributing to the goals of healthy aging and Healthy China.

"Capacity Building Public Welfare Project for the Prevention and Treatment of Common Diseases in the Elderly at the Community Level" Interim Summary Meeting Held Online (Four special guests included: Director Huang Zheng from the Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Director Liu Qiming from the Department of Cardiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University; Director Song Weitao from the Ophthalmology Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University; and Director Zhong Yong from the Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The order of the guests is arranged alphabetically by surname and does not indicate any ranking.)

To proactively address the health challenges brought by the accelerating aging population, China is vigorously promoting the implementation of policies related to healthy aging, aiming to achieve the strategic goals of Healthy China. Among these efforts, strengthening the capacity of grassroots healthcare institutions to diagnose and treat common diseases, frequently-occurring illnesses, and chronic conditions in the elderly, while providing comprehensive, continuous, coordinated, and standardized basic medical services for older adults, has become one of the key tasks involving collaboration from multiple sectors of society.

Against this backdrop, the "Public Welfare Project for the Construction of Community Capacity to Prevent and Treat Common Diseases in the Elderly" has emerged. The project plans to empower 4,000 community health workers annually, benefiting 400,000 members of the public. Under the innovative model of "bringing in and reaching out," the project is committed to establishing a closed-loop path that connects theoretical training with community practice. This involves inviting clinical experts to participate in developing professional and educational training materials and conducting disease-specific training sessions within communities, thereby enhancing community health workers' understanding and diagnostic capabilities regarding atrial fibrillation and cataracts. After receiving training, community health workers "reach out" to conduct health education campaigns in communities, helping residents improve their awareness of disease prevention and the concept of early diagnosis and treatment.

Over the past two years, the project has extended into communities in major cities across China, continuously working to expand access to high-quality medical services. It has received support from local community service centers and active participation from national clinical experts and community health workers. During 2021-2022, the project piloted in five locations—Guangzhou, Anxiang, Shenyang, Beijing, and Shanghai—hosting 30 targeted thematic events. Through a combination of online and offline activities, 40 experts provided training on the prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation and cataracts to nearly 80,000 community health workers, benefiting over 1.86 million members of the public. This year, as of the end of October, the project has been carried out in four cities—Changsha, Beijing, Shenyang, and Guangzhou—holding 15 thematic events where 25 experts trained more than 15,000 community health workers.

It is worth mentioning that the "Public Welfare Project for the Construction of Prevention and Treatment Capabilities for Common Diseases in the Elderly in the Community" has a long-standing connection with the China Physician Public Welfare Conference. Since its launch at the 3rd China Physician Public Welfare Conference, the project has continuously supported each session of the conference, promoting the advancement of public health in China. On October 27 this year, the project participated again in the National Health Communication Initiative under the 5th China Physician Public Welfare Conference, focusing on the theme "Stay Away from Atrial Fibrillation, Prevent Stroke" to provide public welfare education. The aim was to enhance public awareness of atrial fibrillation and call for collective attention to heart health.

The 5th Chinese Physician Charity Conference Public Health Communication Initiative "Stay Away from Atrial Fibrillation, Prevent Stroke" Public Welfare Science Broadcast (The three guests from left to right are: Director and actor Ouyang Fenqiang, Vice Chairman of the China Atrial Fibrillation Center Alliance Xu Wei, Producer and actor Yuan Mei)

Next, the project will also carry out relevant training and health education activities in Shanghai and Chengdu. At the project’s interim summary meeting, four invited experts provided suggestions on the project's report, shared the diagnosis and treatment of two common geriatric diseases—atrial fibrillation and cataracts—and affirmed the project's strengths while further discussing practical approaches to optimize it.Director of Cardiology, Huang Zheng, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityRepresentation"Atrial fibrillation, as a relatively common heart disease in the elderly population, is often overlooked. It may not show obvious symptoms until complications such as stroke occur. The 'Public Welfare Project for the Construction of Prevention and Treatment Capabilities for Common Diseases in the Elderly at the Community Level' has enabled us to train community doctors while also allowing them to promote prevention education among the elderly and carry out screening work, with very significant results."

Director of Cardiology, Liu Qiming, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South UniversityAdded: "China has entered an aging society, and it is of great significance to carry out public welfare projects targeting common and frequently-occurring diseases among the elderly population. The 'Public Welfare Project for the Construction of Prevention and Treatment Capabilities for Common Diseases in Community Elderly' helps strengthen interaction and exchange between clinical experts and community doctors. By empowering community doctors, it provides more comprehensive prevention education and medical guidance for elderly people in the community."

The treatment cycle for geriatric diseases is long and the conditions are complex, requiring the cooperation of primary healthcare institutions, especially community healthcare institutions, as well as higher-level hospitals. Therefore,Song Weitao, Director of the Ophthalmology Center at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, gave full affirmation to"The Capacity Building Public Welfare Project for the Prevention and Treatment of Common Diseases in the Elderly at the Community Level" Plays an Active Role in Promoting Hierarchical Diagnosis and Treatment, and It is Suggested That the Project Could Fully Integrate Theory with Practice in Future Community Doctor Training, Empowering Community Doctors Comprehensively through a "Two-Pronged Approach" to Further Strengthen Early Intervention for Cataracts.

Director of Ophthalmology Department, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhong Yong"It is particularly important to use standardized treatment methods and seize the optimal timing for surgical treatment in cataract care. The 'Public Welfare Project for Strengthening the Prevention and Treatment of Common Diseases in the Elderly at the Community Level' advances cataract prevention by reaching into communities, allowing us to share relevant theories, case studies, and experiences with community doctors. Through their efforts, elderly individuals can become more aware of and vigilant about cataracts, enabling more elderly patients to receive early diagnosis and treatment."

In the future, the project will also expand the prevention and treatment of other common elderly diseases based on the disease spectrum, allowing more high-quality healthcare services to be fully implemented at the grassroots level.

Huang Yuqian, representative of the Life Oasis Patient Assistance Public Welfare Fund of the China Primary Health Care Foundation, said"Over the past two years, the project has achieved remarkable results across China. At the project summary meeting, experts from various fields offered suggestions and advice on aspects such as project format, training content, and practical recommendations, further exploring the future practical direction of the project. Based on this, we will continue to adhere to our original aspiration, strengthen the empowerment of grassroots medical workers, and further improve the accessibility of quality healthcare. In the future, we hope to continue collaborating with multiple sectors of society, contributing to the strengthening of community management for the prevention and treatment of common diseases in the elderly, and jointly working towards healthy aging."