"In our country, we have up to 140 million people living with diabetes, yet, sadly, as many as 63% of them are unaware of their condition. Prolonged high blood sugar can also damage blood vessels, leading to harm to target organs like the heart and kidneys, and can even threaten patients' lives. Therefore, it's crucial that we educate diabetic patients and those at high risk about early disease screening and the management of diabetes, heart, and kidney diseases together. The challenge lies in transforming complex medical information into something the public can easily understand and act upon. We need to delve deep into what patients really need and use the power of education to light the way to better health for everyone," Professor Guo Lixin, Head of the Endocrinology Department at Beijing Hospital, pointed out during the kickoff event of the Diabetes, Heart, and Kidney Health Public Education Initiative on March 27th. This initiative is guided by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Center, with media support from People's Daily Health App.
Currently, China has 140 million people with diabetes, 330 million with cardiovascular diseases, and 120 million with chronic kidney diseases. With the aging population in China, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic kidney diseases is on the rise, significantly impacting the health of Chinese residents.
Moreover, diabetes, heart, and kidney diseases often go hand in hand. For instance, one in every three individuals with Type 2 diabetes also suffers from cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease. Over 40% of chronic kidney disease cases are secondary to hypertension and diabetes, adding a heavier burden of disease and economic pressure on patients, families, and society as a whole.
The key to changing health outcomes lies not only in effective treatment plans and interventions but also in comprehensive disease prevention and management throughout the disease's entire cycle. Authoritative and practical public health education is essential in helping patients achieve a higher quality of life. Only by resolving patients' doubts can we assist them in managing their chronic conditions more effectively. As such, experts across various fields are calling for more healthcare professionals to join the effort of educating the public about managing these diseases together.
Guo Yanhong, Director of the Medical Emergency Department at the National Health Commission, stated, "Currently, China is still facing a complex situation with multiple disease burdens and intertwined health factors. The Central Party Committee places high importance on the prevention and control of chronic diseases, with four out of the fifteen Healthy China initiatives focusing on chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and kidney diseases. Our approach to comprehensive prevention and control of chronic diseases must be 'government-led, department-coordinated, socially mobilized, and universally participated in' to raise awareness and ability among the public to practice a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, carrying out diverse chronic disease prevention and education is crucial. We hope to promote a healthier Chinese population and contribute to building a Healthy China through collective efforts."
Professor Ma Changsheng, Director of the Cardiology Center at Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, mentioned that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among Chinese residents. Many patients' conditions rapidly worsen due to a lack of proper disease knowledge and management awareness, affecting target organs like the kidneys and brain. "I believe that valuable public health education must be scientific, informative, and innovative. It should not only improve patients' understanding of their conditions but also enhance their awareness of early screening and diagnosis, and adherence to disease management, ultimately improving disease outcomes and preventing the development of comorbidities."
Professor Cai Guangyan, Chair of the Nephrology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, noted, "Chronic kidney disease is the eighth leading cause of premature death and reduced life expectancy worldwide, and it's expected to rise to fifth by 2040 if not addressed. We've always advocated for early screening and comprehensive management among high-risk groups, but the impact has been limited. The gap in information reception between medical professionals and patients is a significant factor. The essence of public health education is to present complex medical knowledge in language that laypeople can understand. We hope more healthcare workers will value and participate in medical public education, contributing to improving public health awareness."
Wu Jing, Director of the Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, looks forward to joint efforts from the government, healthcare professionals, and the media in delivering public health education that meets the needs of the national population, aiding in the early realization of the Healthy China 2030 goals.
It's reported that the Diabetes, Heart, and Kidney Health Public Education Initiative, centered around the theme "A Small Step in Education, A Giant Leap for a Healthy China," focuses on the three major chronic disease areas. It aims to call on healthcare professionals nationwide to engage in public disease education, thereby helping the public better understand chronic disease prevention and treatment knowledge, promote early screening and diagnosis, and enhance the capability for long-term, standardized disease management, contributing to overall health.
