Integrating prevention and treatment: rethinking China's health financing

Abstract

Preventive health measures offer superior economic returns compared with the ever-increasing costs of treating established diseases, which place unsustainable pressure on health systems. By reducing the incidence and severity of illness, prevention minimises health-care expenditure and maximises societal welfare by lowering the burden of disease. In China, the principle of making prevention a priority is recognised in the Healthy China 2030 Initiative, which aims to shift the health system's focus towards prevention. However, this goal faces substantial challenges due to structural, legislative, and financial barriers.