China's First Foundation-Led Public Welfare Insurance Program for COPD and Asthma Patients Officially Launched

Affected by various factors such as air pollution, respiratory diseases are highly prevalent in China, primarily asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The prevalence of COPD among individuals aged 40 and above is 8.2%.

The “Report on the Nutritional Status and Chronic Diseases of Chinese Residents (2015)” was released, indicating that the mortality rate from chronic respiratory diseases was 68 per 100,000 population, second only to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and cancer. Acute exacerbations are a major trigger of death among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The average hospitalization cost per acute exacerbation exceeds RMB 10,000, and COPD patients experience approximately 0.5 to 3.5 acute exacerbations per year. The primary reasons are twofold: first, patients lack awareness of the disease and the importance of long-term standardized treatment; second, medication adherence is too low, with survey data showing that 42% of patients discontinue their medications once symptoms subside.

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that on January 25, 2018, the “Respiratory Care – Public Welfare Protection Program for Patients with COPD and Asthma,” initiated by the China Primary Health Care Foundation, operated and managed by Taikang Online, and fully supported by AstraZeneca, was officially launched. This marks the formal implementation of China’s first patient protection program led by a foundation and underpinned by charitable principles.


Professor Chen Rongchang, Chairman of the Chinese Thoracic Society; Hu Ningning, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Primary Health Care Foundation; Liu Fang, Director of Central Market Access at AstraZeneca; and Wang Daonan, CEO of Taikang Online, attended the press conference and the tripartite signing ceremony.

According to Professor Chen Rongchang, Chairman of the Chinese Thoracic Society, respiratory diseases rank among the top ten causes of death in China. However, the rate of standardized treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma is particularly low. Notably, 60% of COPD patients discontinue treatment immediately after an acute exacerbation. Therefore, it is crucial to explore methods to improve long-term treatment adherence.

Professor Chen stated, “The ‘Respiratory Care – Public Welfare Protection Program for Patients with COPD and Asthma’ represents a novel exploration. This initiative is more than just an insurance coverage; it aims to strengthen patients’ self-management through this protection, integrated with medical follow-up services, thereby truly and effectively improving adherence among patients with respiratory diseases and reducing the likelihood of acute exacerbations.”

As the initiator of this public welfare project, Ms. Hu Ningning, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Primary Health Care Foundation, stated that the Foundation has always adhered to the principle of “patient-centeredness and public welfare orientation,” collaborating with public welfare forces from all sectors of society to deliver the most needed assistance to patients.

“We have always been committed to becoming the most trusted partner for patients in China!” emphasized Ms. Liu Fang, Director of Central Market Access at AstraZeneca, during the conference. AstraZeneca is not only a provider of pharmaceutical products but also an active participant in the healthcare industry, consistently collaborating with various stakeholders across the healthcare value chain—including foundations, insurance companies, and hospitals—to deliver integrated, whole-course diagnosis and treatment solutions for patients. The collaboration with the Chubao Foundation and Taikang Online further represents an innovative integration of commercial insurance with public welfare initiatives, offering patients more comprehensive protection and solutions.

This is not the first protection product Taikang Online has launched for patient populations. Mr. Wang Daonan, CEO of Taikang Online, stated, “Taikang Group’s strategy is to build a comprehensive health ecosystem. By offering insurance products tailored to individuals with pre-existing conditions, Taikang Online is venturing into the ‘deep waters’ of health insurance, leveraging insurance as a payment mechanism and serving as a connector within the health industry.”

How to Provide Insurance for the Already-Ill Population? Taikang Online’s Answer: Leverage the Payment Function of Commercial Insurance, Connect Industries, and Stimulate Patients’ Self-Management Awareness Through the Design of Underwriting and Claims Processes as Well as Insurance Risk Protection, Delivering the Best Service to Customers with the Most Perceptible Coverage.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma who participate in this project and adhere to their physicians’ treatment plans are eligible for specific respiratory disease insurance provided by the Primary Care Foundation. In the event of hospitalization due to acute exacerbations, patients can receive hospitalization allowances covered by Taikang Online Insurance.

Taikang Online will leverage big data technology to provide refined, personalized, whole-course disease management for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma enrolled in the program. This initiative begins with establishing a systematic knowledge base for COPD and asthma, using plain language to educate patients on topics ranging from identifying disease causes to daily management. Additionally, the program will manage patients’ medication regimens and release video tutorials on proper drug administration techniques, thereby enhancing patients’ understanding of their conditions and their self-management capabilities.

The launch of this public welfare protection project for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma is highly anticipated. By integrating the healthcare industry within the scope of insurance coverage, the project aims to foster correct patient understanding of COPD and asthma through continuous education, thereby enhancing patients’ daily decision-making capabilities. This approach helps alleviate patients’ fear of these conditions, boosts their confidence in treatment, improves the quality of life for both patients and their families, and ultimately reduces the societal burden of chronic disease expenditures.

The collaboration between charity and insurance represents a cross-sector integration and innovation, as well as a commitment to caring for the vast number of respiratory patients in China. It reflects the shared values and social responsibility of all project participants, marking another new milestone in the development of China’s charitable and insurance sectors.