Today, the National Health Commission, along with the Ministry of Finance, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the National Disease Control Bureau, announced the “Notice on Enhancing Basic Public Health Services for 2024.” In this announcement, they revealed that per capita funding for basic public health services will increase by 5 yuan, bringing the total to 94 yuan. Notably, this year marks the inclusion of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the national basic public health service projects, a significant addition compared to previous years.

The notice details how this increased funding will be spent, which includes expanding services like cancer screenings for women in rural areas, as well as improving health services for the elderly, young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and individuals with serious mental health disorders.

What prompted the incorporation of COPD into the national public health services alongside conditions like hypertension and diabetes? According to officials at the National Health Commission, research indicates that COPD is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases in China, ranking third after hypertension and diabetes. Its prevalence underscores a pressing public health concern and the necessity to broaden basic public health services to encompass COPD.

Wang Chen, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, emphasized the importance of this development: “By including COPD in essential public health projects, we expect grassroots healthcare professionals to give it the same attention as they do to hypertension and diabetes. This recognition will ensure that serious and prevalent diseases receive the necessary intervention. Furthermore, integrating COPD into public health initiatives is crucial for preventing and managing respiratory infectious diseases and will help our primary healthcare system to effectively combat both COPD and acute respiratory infections. This will foster a complementary relationship between epidemic prevention and healthcare.”

What kind of services can COPD patients expect? As the latest addition to the national basic public health service offerings, who is eligible for these services, and how will patients experience changes in their care? To assist local health authorities in providing services for COPD patients, the National Health Commission has also rolled out a “Health Service Specification for COPD Patients (Trial).”

This specification identifies residents aged 35 and older diagnosed with COPD as the target demographic. Local healthcare facilities will gradually establish health records for these patients, offering free follow-ups and routine evaluations. To ensure service quality, the specification outlines the necessary processes, requirements, and evaluation criteria for these follow-up services.

Patients diagnosed with COPD will receive an annual health check-up, which includes routine assessments like temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. In facilities equipped for it, lung function tests may also be conducted. The management of COPD services will fall to doctors, who will integrate outpatient services. If patients do not keep up with their follow-up appointments, community health centers, village clinics, and township hospitals are instructed to proactively contact them to maintain continuity of care.

Which demographics should focus on preventing COPD? Experts highlight that smoking is the leading risk factor for COPD. They advise individuals over 40, particularly those with a long history of smoking or experiencing symptoms such as chronic cough, sputum production, or wheezing, to include lung function tests in their annual check-ups.

What symptoms should prompt concern for a potential COPD diagnosis? Wang Chen explains, “COPD can arise from various causes, with smoking being the most significant, alongside air pollution and chronic respiratory infections. A family history of susceptibility can also play a role. Collectively, these factors contribute to COPD becoming a common issue. Therefore, prevention should begin with smoking cessation, followed by efforts to maintain good respiratory health, including monitoring air quality and addressing respiratory infections promptly. Chronic coughing, phlegm production, or wheezing may indicate a progression of COPD.”

There are additional, subtler symptoms to watch for, particularly shortness of breath during physical activity. For instance, an individual who had no previous trouble walking briskly or climbing stairs may find themselves needing to pause for breath after only a few flights. These signs could suggest the onset of COPD.

COPD is a widespread chronic respiratory condition, with approximately 100 million patients reported in China, and it has one of the highest mortality rates globally.