Premier highlights importance of public health

Premier Li Keqiang on July 25 highlighted the importance of promoting health knowledge and encouraging people and families to take part in health campaigns.

The instruction was made to participants attending a national teleconference in Beijing on promoting the Healthy China initiative.

It is important to carry out policies that prioritize disease prevention, help coordinate policies and departments and ensure that the Healthy China initiative is a success, he said.

He said people must assume the primary responsibility for their health, and authorities must improve public health expertise, so that the all of society can live healthier lifestyles.

Authorities must shift their priorities from disease treatment to the promotion of public health, he said.

Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan, who attended the conference, said health lessons must be introduced to schools, families, communities and workplaces to help the public live healthy lifestyles.

Services for sleep health and psychological consultation and intervention should also be stepped up, and full life circle services must be offered, she said.

She also urged greater efforts preventing and controlling major diseases, with measures to promote early diagnosis, treatment and health management to extend life expectancy.