Annual health checks for people over 65
China will establish health archives for all people age 65 or above and offer them free health checks every year as part of a national initiative to improve the health of the elderly, the National Health Commission said on July 31.
The initiative is aimed at preventing and controlling chronic diseases and promoting good health among senior citizens, the commission said.
The average life expectancy in China has increased to 77 years, but more than 180 million seniors have chronic diseases, Wang Haidong, head of the commission's aging and health department, said.
The initiative will also boost the role of the primary health service network and enable family doctors to promote comprehensive and coordinated basic medical services.
The commission said it will pilot services, including health evaluations, to seniors with disabilities, and encourage the elderly to better manage their chronic diseases so as to reduce symptoms and complications.
Chinese enterprises will be encouraged to develop new approaches and equipment incorporating information technology, it said.