[Analysis of non-communicable disease prevention and control policy implementation in China from 2014 to 2021].

Abstract

This study utilized data from the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Progress Monitor Reports (2015, 2017, 2020, 2022) released by World Health Organization (WHO) to analyze the implementation of NCDs prevention and control policies in China from 2014 to 2021 through descriptive statistical method, aiming to provide evidence for strengthening national NCDs strategies. The analysis focuses on WHO-recommended 'best buys' policies for NCDs prevention and control, covering 10 categories (18 interventions): national NCDs targets, mortality data, risk factor surveys, national integrated NCDs policies/strategies/action plans, tobacco demand-reduction measures, harmful use of alcohol reduction measures, unhealthy diet reduction policies, physical activity campaigns, national clinical guidelines for cancer/CVD/diabetes/CRD management, and drug therapy/counselling for cardiovascular diseases. In accordance with the WHO's NCDs progress monitor scoring methodology, policies are assigned 1.0 point for full implementation, 0.5 points for partial implementation, and 0 points for non-implementation or missing data, with a maximum total score of 18.0 points. The analytical metrics encompass the policy implementation score, implementation rate, and period-on-period implementation growth rate. The results showed that China's total policy implementation scores for NCDs prevention and control in 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2021 were consistently higher than the global average (8.5, 10.5, 9.5, 9.5 vs 6.7, 8.3, 8.6, 8.6). From 2014 to 2021, the total score increased by 1.0 point, and the implementation rate improved by 8.9%. From 2014 to 2016, China's total policy implementation score rose from 8.5 to 10.5, primarily driven by improvements in tobacco tax increases and unhealthy diet reduction measures (salt reduction, restrictions on high-fat foods, and regulation of breast-milk substitute sales). However, this progress was partially offset by a decline in scores for physical activity campaigns. From 2016 to 2019, the total score decreased to 9.5, largely due to lower scores in harmful use of alcohol reduction measures (alcohol taxation and advertising bans). From 2019 to 2021, the total score remained stable, with increases in marketing to children restrictions balanced by declines in scores for drug therapy/counselling for cardiovascular diseases. In 2021, China's total policy implementation score (9.5) exceeded the global average (8.6) but fell below the G20 average (11.2). Significant gaps remained compared to top-performing G20 countries such as Turkey (16.5), particularly in tobacco control and restrictions on harmful alcohol use. In conclusion, from 2014 to 2021, China's total policy implementation score for NCDs prevention and control consistently exceeded the global average, demonstrating an upward trend, and various NCDs prevention and control policies have been continuously improved.