How Should China Adapt for an Aging Population?

As China’s population continues to age, how should the country’s health care system change to adapt? In an April 30 article from ChinaDaily, William Hsiao, Senior Scholar at the Global Health Education and Learning Incubator (GHELI), was one of several experts quoted to reflect on how China’s changing demographics is prompting the country to rethink health care for older people.

In China, caring for the elderly traditionally falls to the family. However, as China’s older population expands and economic pressures rise, it is becoming increasingly hard for the younger generation to care for their older family members. The article examines a few ways China might begin to support and improve caring for the elderly.

Hsiao, whose expertise lies in health system economics and reform, commented that the Chinese government should establish a framework with set priorities to guide investment into the health care and social needs of the elderly. Hsiao has over 40 years of experience studying and working with governments to improve health systems in over 20 countries. To learn more about his involvement in health system improvement, check out our related news story and interview on Hsiao’s work designing Taiwan’s national health system.

Read the full ChinaDaily article: Aging population forces rethink on family duties, healthcare.