Health Research Policy and Systems (Apr 2025)

A scoping review of national policies for dementia prevention and control in mainland China

  • Jingbin Zhang,
  • Xiaowan Wang,
  • Shasha Yuan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-025-01314-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Introduction Limited knowledge has been found on the policies of dementia prevention and control from low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries. This study aims to provide comprehensive evidence of policy progress regarding dementia prevention and control in mainland China by scoping review on the basis of seven priority areas proposed in The Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017–2025. Methods We searched the websites of China State Council, National Health Commission, Ministry of Civil Affairs, National Development and Reform Commission, National Healthcare Security Administration and National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for all policies regarding dementia. The keywords included Chi Dai (dementia), A Er Ci Hai Mo (Alzheimer’s), Ren Zhi Zhang Ai (cognitive impairment) and Shi Zhi (dementia), and the search covered materials published by 15 April 2023. Policy diffusion analysis, policy reference network analysis and thematic framework analysis were used to analyse the policy contents. Results The number of national policies for dementia prevention and control in mainland China increased significantly during 2015–2022. The National Health Commission was responsible for the most policies, while the State Council was responsible for the most important ones. A total of 50 departments were involved in the development of policies for dementia prevention and control, but the stable collaborative relationship among them needs further strengthened. In terms of WHO dementia global action plan, the topic of “dementia as a public health priority” was strongly emphasized, while the areas of “dementia research and innovation” and “information systems for dementia” were less focussed on. Conclusions Some policy gaps, including priority arrangement, multisectoral cooperation and policy implementation, must still be addressed in the future to support the interests of people with dementia and their caregivers more effectively.

Keywords