In recent years, healthcare reform and associated policy adjustments have emerged as pivotal areas of societal concern. As China's economy and society evolve, priorities in the health sector have shifted from expanding basic medical service coverage and addressing accessibility and affordability to optimizing resource allocation, improving healthcare quality and efficiency, and promoting the long-term sustainability of public health through innovative policies. Despite notable progress—including extensive medical insurance coverage, improved public health services, and advanced infrastructure—significant challenges remain, profoundly shaping public health outcomes.

An aging population and rising chronic disease burdens place enormous pressure on the healthcare system. Regional disparities, resource inefficiencies, and overmedicalization underscore the need for further reform. Policymakers must reallocate health resources and drive structural changes, including strengthening preventive care, enhancing community-based services, and promoting public health literacy. In this context, studying how healthcare reforms impact individual and population health while uncovering mechanisms for optimizing policies is vital for advancing national health goals and achieving sustainable development.

The purpose of this research topic is to explore the impact of healthcare reform and related policy changes on individual and population health and welfare. By examining the mechanisms through which policy innovations influence health outcomes, it aims to identify the factors that enhance or hinder the effectiveness of these reforms. Specifically, the research topic seeks to evaluate how changes in resource allocation, service delivery models, and health promotion strategies contribute to addressing challenges such as aging populations, chronic disease burdens, and regional disparities in healthcare access. Furthermore, it aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for optimizing health policies to improve health equity, efficiency, and sustainability. Ultimately, this research topic aspires to inform policymakers and stakeholders, fostering strategies that promote comprehensive health improvement and support sustainable social development.

We welcome submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

● Resource allocation: Studies examining changes in healthcare resource distribution and their effects on system efficiency and population health.
● Chronic disease and aging: Analyses of how policy interventions address the challenges of an aging population and rising chronic disease burdens.
● Preventive care and community health: Research on reforms promoting preventive medicine and enhancing community-based healthcare systems.
● Health equity: Investigations into disparities in healthcare access and outcomes across different regions or populations.
● Public health literacy: Studies on the role of health policies in improving welfare aspects such as health knowledge and behavior.
● Policy innovation: Evidence-based approaches to designing and implementing sustainable health policies.

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Frontiers in Public Health

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