Xuetao Cao is president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), president of Global Alliance for Chronic Disease (GACD), and president of the Federation of Immunological Societies of Asia-Oceania (FIMSA).
E-mail:caoxt{at}immunol.org
As the most populated country in the world, China carries an immense disease burden. Thanks to the rising life expectancy of its citizens, urbanization, and lifestyle changes that have accompanied rapid economic growth, the disease spectrum in China has expanded. Noncommunicable chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer are now major contributors to ill health. Fortunately, an overhaul of the national health care system has been under way, with universal health care coverage now available for more than 95% of the population. Such a sea change is also needed in China's biomedical research environment. This requires transforming a system that has existed for decades. The good news is that China is not shying away from this challenge.
