Adolescent Health and Healthy China 2030: A Review

Abstract

Purpose: This article explores differences between the current health status of adolescents and the targets set in Healthy China 2030 (HC2030).

Methods: Global and domestic policies and strategies relating to adolescent health were reviewed. Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (1990-2016) and the Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health (1985-2014) were used to analyze time trends and geographical distributions of health indicators for adolescents aged 10-19 years in China.

Results: The Chinese government has released many health policies over the past 3 decades. In this context, there has been a major decline in all-cause mortality and stunting. However, gaps between the current health status of adolescents and the targets set in HC2030 were numerous. The prevalence of obesity and poor vision increased rapidly, and few adolescents meet the physical activity and fitness targets set in HC2030. Urban/rural differences were marked for some indicators such as obesity, whereas for other indicators (e.g., stunting), there remained notable differences across provinces.

Conclusions: Many long-standing health problems of adolescents have improved, but new problems related to noncommunicable disease risks have emerged and should be a prominent focus for policy action under HC2030.

Keywords: Adolescent; Epidemiology; Healthy China 2030; Policy.