Chinese average life expectancy increases to 76.5 years

By:People's Daily Online
update:January 12,2018

Jan. 12, 2018 -- The average life expectancy for Chinese in China rose to 76.5 years in 2017, according to a news briefing of the National Health and Family Commission (NHFC) on Tuesday, China.com reported.

Medical reform made periodical headway in 2017, including comprehensive reform of public hospitals, elimination of drug price markups, and direct settlement of trans-provincial medical expenses, said an official with the NHFC.

Currently, the country has 999,000 medical organizations and 11.2 million health workers, figures from the commission showed.

In 2017, more than 4.2 million patients from impoverished families have been aided. The proportion of health care expenses borne by individuals dropped from 34.3 percent to 28.8 percent.

Maternal mortality dropped to 19.9 per 100,000 persons; and infant mortality declined to 7.5 per 1,000, according to the NHFC.

In addition, the major health indicators for Chinese residents were generally higher than people in medium- and high-income countries in 2017.

In 2018, the commission will continue deepening medical reform, promoting a hierarchical medical treatment system, consolidating the result of cutting off the channel of making money through over-prescription, and further boosting the medical insurance system.

Family doctor services will be extended to more families. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicine education will be further promoted.