Children and adolescents are the future of the nation and the hope of society. On June 1, International Children’s Day, to further foster a social environment that supports the promotion of children and adolescents' health, the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, together with 12 other departments, including the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Cyberspace Administration of Beijing Municipal Committee, the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Radio and Television Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, the Beijing Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Office of the Beijing Municipal Working Committee on Women and Children, the Communist Youth League Beijing Municipal Committee, the Beijing Women’s Federation, and the Beijing Disabled Persons’ Federation, jointly held a themed publicity event titled “Joining Forces through the Five Health Initiatives, Moving Forward Together Toward a Brighter Future”, officially launching Beijing’s “Five Health” Promotion Initiative for Children and Adolescents.
In April 2026, the 13 departments jointly issued the Implementation Plan for Beijing’s “Five Health” Promotion Initiative for Children and Adolescents in response to national requirements. The initiative aims to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control of childhood and adolescent obesity, myopia, psychological and behavioral disorders, spinal deformities, and dental caries, thereby promoting healthy growth and development among young people.
At the event, appointment certificates were presented to representatives of the “Five Health” expert team comprising 100 specialists. Experiences of serving as Health Vice Principals were shared, world champions were invited to promote knowledge on sports and health, and interactive activities were conducted with family representatives.
Performance groups consisting of kindergarten children and primary and secondary school students presented aerobics, the stage play Bright Eyes, the AI-powered showcase Hearing Your Voice, the martial arts performance Powerful Youth, and the dance performance I Love Brushing My Teeth.
In addition, leading experts delivered targeted health education sessions focusing on weight management, vision health, mental health, bone health, and oral health among children and adolescents.
Representatives from the Department of Women and Children’s Health of the National Health Commission, the Beijing Municipal Health Commission and other participating departments, district-level health authorities, medical institutions including Beijing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Beijing Children’s Hospital, and Capital Institute of Pediatrics, as well as experts, representatives of social organizations, and media representatives attended the event.
Emphasizing Lifelong Protection and Prioritizing Health Promotion
Over the years, Beijing has firmly upheld the principles of “Health First” and “Children First,” continuously strengthening its service network, advancing preventive interventions, improving service accessibility, and prioritizing care for children. Through these efforts, the city has promoted the health of children and adolescents throughout the entire life cycle.
First, improving service networks and building a strong foundation for health. Beijing has integrated healthcare resources to establish a comprehensive child health service system covering both urban and rural areas with smooth connection. The city was among the first in China to launch screening programs for five key childhood conditions, including vision problems and autism spectrum disorder among children aged 0–6 years. Designated municipal diagnostic and assessment institutions, referral mechanisms, and streamlined referral pathways have been established to provide integrated services covering screening, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and intervention. More than one million children benefit from these services annually, with a coverage rate of 99%.The city also leverages the preventive strengths of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by providing constitutional assessments and appropriate TCM interventions for children. In addition, the establishment of Health Vice Principals has been promoted to strengthen health protection within schools.
Second, advancing scientific weight management and supporting healthy growth.All maternity institutions in Beijing now offer prenatal nutrition clinics, while maternal and child healthcare institutions have established pediatric nutrition clinics. Pilot pediatric exercise clinics have been introduced to provide individualized exercise prescriptions. The city has also improved dietary guidance, published obesity prevention and control manuals, and launched smart weight-management tools. Through the development of nutrition-focused school cafeterias and the “Nutrition on Campus” initiative, Beijing promotes balanced diet and excercise lifestyles among children and adolescents.
Third, strengthening myopia prevention and protecting vision. Beijing emphasizes early intervention by providing annual vision examinations and refractive screenings for children aged 0–6 years and conducting refractive monitoring twice a year for primary and secondary school students.The coverage rate for eye healthcare and vision examinations among children aged 0–6 years has reached 99%, while refractive screening among school-aged children has achieved full coverage. The city also conducts comprehensive monitoring of school environmental hygiene and continues to improve visual environments on campuses. Myopia prevention manuals and educational toolkits have been developed to strengthen collaboration between schools and families and promote scientific eye-care practices.
Fourth, safeguarding mental well-being and delivering compassionate care.Beijing has promoted the establishment of psychiatric and psychological outpatient services in maternal and child healthcare institutions and all secondary-level and above general hospitals. Guidelines for mental health screening, early warning, and intervention have been developed, while schools are encouraged to establish psychological counseling centers and consultation rooms. Psychological support hotlines, including 12356, 12355, and 12338, provide round-the-clock assistance. The city has also implemented a care initiative for children with autism, offering rehabilitation subsidies for eligible registered residents and opening a green-channel service at Beijing Children’s Hospital to facilitate timely access to medical care, Illuminating the path to growth for children with special needs through institutional support and compassionate care.
Fifth, promoting bone health and healthy posture. Beijing has fully implemented the requirements of the "20 Measures for Student Physical and Mental Health" and the "8 Rules for School Sports" for primary and secondary school students, guiding children to persist in physical exercise. Screening for spinal deformities now covers all primary and secondary school students. Specialized scoliosis care programs provide health education, monitoring, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation services, helping young people maintain healthy posture and physical development.
Sixth, enhancing oral health and building confident smiles. Routine oral health examinations and health education programs are provided for children aged 0–6 years and school-aged students.Fluoride foam treatments are offered to children aged 3–6 years, while pit-and-fissure sealant services are provided for children aged 7–9 years. The local fluoride application rate has reached 95%, helping establish strong oral health foundations from an early age.
Strengthening Collaboration to Safeguard Physical and Mental Health
As 2026 marks the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, Beijing’s 13 departments have jointly launched the “Five Health” Promotion Initiative to improve the physical and mental well-being of children and adolescents. The initiative adheres to a prevention-oriented approach and promotes integrated prevention and management of multiple health issues.
A joint interdepartmental coordination mechanism for the health of children and adolescents has been established to ensure high-level collaboration and efficient implementation. The city will further improve service networks for children aged 0–6 years and primary and secondary school students, implement projects to strengthen key healthcare institutions, enhance specialty development, and improve the capacity of maternal and child healthcare institutions, achieving seamless transition by comprehensive care. By leveraging the expertise of the health, education, and sports sectors, Beijing will establish multidisciplinary expert teams, develop professional technical standards, formulate quality control criteria, and create a series of educational and intervention tools, achieving collaborative efforts and targeted empowerment.A four-dimensional health guidance system integrating families, schools, communities, and healthcare institutions will be promoted to strengthen coordination among healthcare and education integration, childcare by families and schools, and social governance, to strengthen scientific parenting guidance, promote students' physical and mental health, and achieve full participation and cross-sector coordination.The initiative will focus on five key areas: weight management, vision health, mental health, bone health, and oral health. Through coordinated departmental action, improved measures and targeted interventions, Beijing aims to comprehensively improve the health of children and adolescents.In addition, the city will launch a dedicated “AI + Child Health Promotion” campaign to strengthen information sharing, empower health services through digital technologies, accelerate the application of artificial intelligence, and continuously advance child and adolescent health promotion efforts.