The impact of the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme on the“health poverty alleviation”of rural households in China

This study investigates the impact of the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme(NRCMS)on rural households to escape poverty.We employ the instrumental variable method,the IVProbit model,to analyze the national data from the rural-resident field survey by the China Family Panel Studies(CFPS)in 2016.Based on the large-scale data,we found that,first,the hospitalization of family members is the key factor in increasing the risk of the family falling into poverty.The NRCMS has significantly reduced the likely risk of falling into poverty.Second,the impact of the NRCMS on poverty alleviation varies among groups with different levels of income.There is no impact on the upper-middle and high-income groups;in contrast,the NRCMS has substantially improved the capacity of low-income rural families to prevent poverty due to illness,especially for the lower-middle-income group.Third,there exist significant regional differences in the impact of NRCMS on the health poverty alleviation of rural households in China.The NRCMS has successfully reduced the risk of rural households in the western region falling into poverty,simultaneously,no significant impact on those in the eastern and central regions.In order to diminish and eliminate poverty eventually and boost rural residents'capacity for income acquisition,we propose the following:raise the actual compensation ratio of the NRCMS,control the rising expense of NRCMS by promoting the payment method reform,construct the comprehensive healthcare system in the western region,strengthen the medical security for the poor in remote area,and enhance the living environment for rural residents.

Study on Health of Rural Poor Population and Health Poverty Alleviation Countermeasures in Chongqing

[Objectives]The paper was to understand the health of rural poor population in Chongqing,and to put forward countermeasures for health poverty alleviation.[Methods]The 439 people living in poverty in Qianjiang District and Pengshui County,Chongqing,were investigated on the spot to deeply understand and analyze the health status,current medical insurance status and accuracy of medical system of rural poor population in Chongqing.[Results]The vast majority of poor households had been lifted out of poverty after targeted poverty alleviation.Poverty due to illness was the main cause of family poverty.The prevalence of chronic diseases in poor households was high,and the overall health level showed a downward trend.The countermeasures and suggestions for strengthening the construction of medical insurance system,exploring and perfecting rural medical assistance system,enhancing the service capacity of primary medical and health institutions,and strengthening health education and health management were put forward.[Conclusions]The study provides an empirical evidence for improving the health level of poor rural residents and promoting targeted health poverty alleviation policies.

Effectiveness and impact of the crossborder healthcare model as implemented by non-governmental organizations: case study of the malaria control programs by health poverty action on the ChinaMyanmar border

Background:In the Yunnan province of China,18 counties in six prefectures border Myanmar.Due to its particular combination of geographic features,climate conditions,and cultural landscape,the area provides a suitable environment for the spread of insect-borne diseases such as malaria.In five identified Myanmar Special Regions along the China-Myanmar border,economic development is lagging,people live in extreme poverty,and the healthcare system is fragile.Coupled with political and other reasons,this precludes malaria control work to be effectively carried out in Myanmar,resulting in a heavy burden of the disease.Frequent population movements and favorable conditions for malaria transmission on the border fuel difficulties in controlling and eliminating the spread of the disease in the area.Case presentation:To reduce the prevalence of malaria in the China-Myanmar border area and improve healthcare services for local residents in this particular environment,Health Poverty Action(HPA)has provided malaria aid in the area since the beginning of 2006,as a sub-recipient of the China Global Fund Malaria Programs.In this case study,we examined HPA’s activities as part of its malaria control programs in the area,analyzed and summarized the effectiveness and impact of the cross-border healthcare model as implemented by non-governmental organizations,and put forward suggestions for cross-border health aid models and for the prevention of malaria transmission in the Greater Mekong Subregion.Conclusions:HPA had carried out a great quantity of successful malaria control activities in border areas between China and Myanmar,strengthened the partnership and established the collaboration,coordination and cooperation channels among stakeholders.HPA has laid good groundwork and developed its valuable model that could be highlighted and referenced.

Can health technology assessments assist the global campaign against poverty?

Although a key tenant of the Sustainable Development Goals is to achieve universal health coverage,the global drug gap persists-cver a third of the global population lack access to essential medicines.Without access to affordable drugs,people have worse health outcomes,higher medical expenses,and productivity loss,pushing them into poverty.Health technology assessments(HTAs)offer an opportunity to decrease the global drug gap and increase access to essential medicines by overcoming barriers to medicine access.These barriers include drug procurement,drug affordability for payers and patients,a patienfs ability to obtain essential medicines,and health system capacity.Using HTAs can therefore close the global drug gap by increasing access to affordable essential medicines.In turn,people have better health outcomes,spend less money on medical care,and can have better productivity.Ultimately,use of HTAs can lift the population out of poverty and force fewer people into poverty by creating better health outcomes at affordable prices.