Background of CCHDS

　　China’s health system confronts many challenging complexities. The burden of disease in China is already in the midst of a dramatic transition from infectious to non-communicable diseases, while facing a set of emerging health threats such as environmental pollution. The Chinese government has committed to establish universal coverage of basic health care by 2020. In the pursuit of these goals, better knowledge and evidence are much needed to inform the academic circle, policy makers and the public alike.

　　The current capacity of HPSR is underdeveloped in China in quantity, qualitative depth, and disciplinary breadth. The overall competence in HPSR does not grow along with increasing numbers in institutions and personnel. Availability of qualified researchers, independence of institutions/researchers in health policy studies, communications with international academia, and availability of enabling conditions are the main concerns for the performance of HPSR.

　　Peking University China Center for Health Development Studies (CCHDS) was established in collaboration with China Medical Board (CMB). Tapping into the unique multidisciplinary capabilities and rich academic resources offered by Peking University and its partners, CCHDS is pioneering a fully modern and international vision in serving the health development and reform in China and the world through academic research, education and training. Innovative operational mechanisms have been established to effectively nurture the highest quality work. World class scholars and researchers are being recruited. CCHDS has been officially launched on April 27, 2010.

　　Goals

　　The goals of the CCHDS are to produce high-quality research on health and development and to conduct useful executive and research training; to create an organization with competent multidisciplinary teams; to be China-based leading academic institution in Health Policy and System Research (HPSR); and to establish a platform for China’s engagement in global health with a focus on developing countries, multilateral organizations, and global developments.

　　Mission

　　The mission of the CCHDS is to advance the health of the Chinese people by achieving academic excellence in production and dissemination of knowledge and by catalyzing and promoting health policy and systems research in China. This entails research, education, and intellectual exchange on long-term and fundamental health systems issues including measurement of health transitions and determinants, studies on development and evaluation of health systems performance, and promotion of academic exchange both within China and internationally. To achieve its mission, CCHDS is building a world class multidisciplinary group of faculty, fellows, and students.

　　Key values

　　Innovative: Members of CCHDS need to be innovative thinkers and doers in their research, teaching and consulting services; CCHDS will be operated in an innovative manner;

　　Cooperative:Partnership will be built with academic institutions, governmental and founding agencies, from within Peking University to all around the world;

　　Multi-disciplines: A world class multidisciplinary faculty and research team will be established.

　　Independent:Researchwill remain independent in the academic activities.

　　Future-oriented:Capacity building of the next generation health systems and policy researchers will be emphasized.

　　Research Priority

　　CCHDS currently conducts studies focusing on two major areas, one on health transitions and their determinants, and the other on health systems research including financing, delivery system, and human resources

　　Studies on health transitions and their determinants

　　In this area, two sets of topics have been highlighted: 1) transitions of health and determinants and projection models that integrate existing knowledge about demographical/epidemiological transitions, changes of risk factors such as environment pollution, and socioeconomic developments, to provide a picture of China’s health development over the coming decade(s); and 2) analysis of health transitions and their determinants by regions, provinces, and population groups. Sub-national level analysis is crucial and classification methods for regions and areas will be studied.

　　Health systems research: health financing, health care delivery, human resource, and their interlinks

　　Studies in area one would provide basic information for health systems research and health policy development. 1) Health financing: issues to be studies would include the roles of government (public) and private sectors in financing of health care, modeling of requirements of financial resources for health, strategies for integrating the three health insurance schemes, incentives and payment systems for health providers. Evaluation studies could be organized to assess the current reforms and interventions in relation to health financing; 2) Health care delivery system: issues could include public and private mix of clinics and hospitals in structuring the health delivery system, integrations and partnerships of different types of health care providers, and performance evaluations of health care providers; and 3) Human resource: research issues include strengthening capacities of human resource in disadvantaged area, financial and non-financial incentive structures for individual health workers, and determinants of location or reallocation of health workforces.

　　Education and Training

　　CCHDS offers a variety of education and training programs, including PhD program on health systems research, Master program, post-doctoral programs, and training programs targeting health policy makers and researchers.

　　Contact

　　China Center for Health Development Studies (CCHDS)

　　Address: XueYuan Road 38, Mailbox 505, Haidian District, Beijing 100191

　　Tel: +86 10 82805684 Ms Pan

　　E-mail: cchds@pku.edu.cn

　　Website: www.cchds.pku.edu.cn