Media Coverage of Macroeconomics and Health Seminar in Beijing Press Briefing On 18 th of December 2002, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) co-organized the seminar on Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for: Economic Development. A total of 18 media outlets were invited to attend the meeting and press briefing including news agencies, TV stations, newspapers and periodicals. Sixteen Chinese media and two foreign correspondents attended the press briefing. Media coverage included: 6 print media, 2 TV channels including China Central Television, and one Radio station reported on the event. The seminar and press briefing drew considerable media attention, and was received excellent coverage in all mainstream media of China, such as CCTV, Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, Economic Daily and Guangming Daily. Articles mainly focused on how to put the CMH recommendations into practice, and expressed hope that CMH follow-up efforts would be implemented in China. Media List for Media Briefing Invited Media (National) 1. 新华社 (Xinhua News Agency) 2. 人民日报 (People’s Daily) 3. 中国日报 (China Daily) 4. 经济日报 (Economic Daily) 5. 中国青年报 (China Youth Daily) 6. 经济观察报 (The Economic Observer) 7. 健康报 (Health News) 8. 中国卫生报 (China Sanitation News) 9. 北京晚报 (Beijing Evening News) 10. 北京青年报 (Beijing Youth Daily) 11. 香港文汇报 (Hong Kong Wen Hui Pao) 12. 中央电视台 (CCTV) 13. 凤凰卫视 (PHOENIX satellite Television) Invited Media (Overseas) 1. 泰晤士报（Times） 2. 纽约时报（New York Times） 3. 华盛顿邮报（Washington Post） 4. 新闻周刊（Newsweek） 5. 英国广播公司（BBC） 6. 有线电视公司（CNN） 7. 南华早报 (South China Morning Post) 8. 路透社 (Reuters)
Transcript
Media Coverage of Macroeconomics and Health Seminar in Beijing
Press Briefing
On 18th of December 2002, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO)co-organized the seminar on Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for: EconomicDevelopment.
A total of 18 media outlets were invited to attend the meeting and press briefing includingnews agencies, TV stations, newspapers and periodicals. Sixteen Chinese media and twoforeign correspondents attended the press briefing. Media coverage included: 6 print media,2 TV channels including China Central Television, and one Radio station reported on theevent. The seminar and press briefing drew considerable media attention, and was receivedexcellent coverage in all mainstream media of China, such as CCTV, Xinhua News Agency,People’s Daily, Economic Daily and Guangming Daily. Articles mainly focused on how toput the CMH recommendations into practice, and expressed hope that CMH follow-up effortswould be implemented in China.
1. 泰晤士报（Times）2. 纽约时报（New York Times）3. 华盛顿邮报（Washington Post）4. 新闻周刊（Newsweek）5. 英国广播公司（BBC）6. 有线电视公司（CNN）7. 南华早报 (South China Morning Post)8. 路透社 (Reuters)
Media advisory
Government Of China To Investigate Links Between Sustainable Development AndInvestment In Health
WHY: This week in Beijing, the World Health Organization’s Commission on Macroeconomics andHealth (CMH) and the Earth Institute at Columbia’s Center for Global Health andEconomic Development will meet to support Chinese officials’ interest in reviewing theapproach to health care expenditures, recognizing that strategic investment in healthservices can be used to spur economic development.
The report of the CMH shows that the better health of people is key to reducing their levelsof poverty, and to the success of all efforts for economic and social development.Investments in health - if properly directed - can yield extraordinary results in terms of livessaved and increased economic productivity. The Commissioners show that, globally,increased health investments of US$ 66 billion per year above current spending will, by2010, save at least 8 million lives a year and generate at least US$ 360 billion annually ineconomic growth by 2015-2020.
The report’s findings could to be adapted to the Chinese situation. Increased investments inthe health of China's people could have a major impact on the economic prospects formillions.
WHO: Professor Jeffrey SachsChair of the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health and Special Advisor to the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations on the Millennium Development Goals;Director, Earth Institute, Center for Global Health and Economic Development, ColumbiaUniversity, New York, USA
Dr David NabarroExecutive Director, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Professor Hu Angang from Institute of the studies of China, Tsinghua University and ProfessorCia Renhua Director of National Health Economics Institute.
WHAT: Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for Economic Development A Seminar
WHEN: 18 December 2002 Press Briefing on Wednesday, 18 December from 4.15 – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Beijing International Convention Center Convention Hall 4, 3rd floor
No 8, Bei Chen Eastern Road, An Ding Men Wai, Chao Yang District, Beijing
For Press Accreditation and Facilities please contact: Ms Diana Bao, Mr Zhu NanTel: 6307 2690 ext 563 and 606Fax: 6307 4887
******** For additional information, please contact:Agnes Leotsakos, Communications Advisor, CMH Unit, World Health Organization Mobile: + 41 79 476 7013 or
Gregory Hartl, Communications Advisor, Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments, World Health Organization,Tel: +41 22 791 4458, Mobile: +41 79 203 6715 Email: [email protected]
News Clippings
1. Summary Translation: China will subsidize farmers who will participate in new cooperativemedical programme in the Central and Western regions, by www.xinhuanet.com
As from 2003, central and local finance will give 10 Yuan of subsidies every year to each farmertaking part in a new cooperative medical programme in the Central and Western regions. The newswere made known at a seminar on “Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health forEconomic Development”, jointly held on December 18 by the State Planning Commission,Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization. In recent years, theChinese government has been investing in health. The total investment has increased from 225.8billion in 1995 to 476.4 billion in year 2000.
2. Summary Translation: China subsidizes farmers who take part in new cooperative medicalprogramme in the Central and Western regions, by ‘People’s Daily’
As from 2003, central and local finance will give 10 Yuan of subsidies every year respectivelyto each peasant taking part in new cooperative medical programme in the Central and Westernregions. The news were made known at the seminar on “Macroeconomics and Health:Investing in Health for Economic Development”, jointly held on December 18 by the StatePlanning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and the World HealthOrganization. In recent years, the Chinese government has been investing in health. The totalinvestment has increased from 225.8 billion in 1995 to 476.4 billion in year 2000.
3. Summary Translation: Investment in health provides economic returns, by‘Economic Daily’
In a seminar hosted by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and WHO, economistsfrom home and abroad argued that investment in health contributes to economic growth. TheCMH report provides a great deal of numbers and cases to argue that investing in health canhave great economic returns.
Information provided by Chinese economists also supports this viewpoint. A special report byProfessor Cai Renhua demonstrates that poverty helps the spread of diseases and disturbseconomic development.
4. Summary Translation: Macroeconomics and Health Seminar Held in Beijing, by‘Guangming Daily’
A seminar on Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for Economic Developmentwas jointly held on December 18 by the State Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance,Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
The seminar heard that WHO established the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health inJanuary 2001 and subsequently published the CMH Report. Zhang Wenkang, the Minister ofHealth, said that the Chinese Government has always been interested in the development ofthe health sector and investment in health has increased to RMB 476.4 billion in 2000.
5. Article: More money urged for public health – by China Daily
Indices lag growth; disparities still large.
China should invest more money in promoting public health for the country’s macroeconomicdevelopment, a health expert said yesterday. Any investment needed to improve the health ofthe 1.3 billion people in China would be much less than the losses caused by poor health, saidCai Renhua, Director of the China National Health Economics Institute based in Beijing.
Professor Cai was speaking at a seminar in Beijing on macroeconomics and health jointlysponsored by the State Development Planning Commission, the Ministries of Finance andHealth, and the World Health Organization.
China currently accounts for one-fifth of the world’s population. The average life expectancyof the population – a major index of a country’s level of health – has increased from 35 yearsin 1950 to 71 in 1995.
However, health indices in China have improved at a much slower rate than the per capitaincome, especially during the past 20 years, said Professor Hu Angang from Beijing’sTsinghua University. The total health expenditure of the Chinese mainland in 2000 was only5.3 per cent of its GDP, just 0.3 percentage points higher than the minimum recommended bythe WHO.
In China, the cost of treating hepatitis B alone has exceeded 26 billion Yuan (US$3.1 billion)in a single year. There are serious disparities in health-care coverage and substantialdifferences in residents’ health both between urban and rural areas, and between coastal andinland provinces. China’s more than 800 million rural residents make up about 70 per cent ofthe total population but only use about 30 per cent of the country’s medical resources.
For example, the usage rate of hospital beds at county level or higher has decreased from 80.9per cent in 1990 to 60.8 per cent in 2000, Cai noted.
And less than 30 per cent of the total population are covered by China’s system of medicalinsurance. Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University in New York,said: “Investments in health; if properly directed, can yield extraordinary results in terms oflives saved and increased economic productivity.” Sachs, Chairman of the WHO Commissionon Macroeconomics and Health, gave a presentation at the seminar on a report compiled byhis commission over the past two years.
In the report, the commissioners said they believe that improved health is a criticalrequirement for economic development in poor countries.
6. Summary Translation: China will subsidize farmers who take part in new cooperativemedical programme in Central and Western region, by ‘Yanji Evening News’
As from 2003, central and local finance will give 10 Yuan of subsidies every year to eachfarmer taking part in new cooperative medical programme in the Central and Western regions.The news were made known at a seminar on “Macroeconomics and Health: Investing inHealth for Economic Development”, jointly held on December 18 by the State PlanningCommission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Inrecent years, the Chinese government has been investing in the health. The total investmenthas increased from 225.8 billion in 1995 to 476.4 billion in year 2000.
7. Summary Translation: China will subsidize farmers who take part in newcooperative medical programme in Central and Western region, by ‘Guangxi Daily’
As from 2003, central and local finance will give 10 Yuan of subsidies every year respectivelyto each farmer taking part in new cooperative medical programme in the Central and Westernregions. The news were made known at a seminar on “Macroeconomics and Health: Investingin Health for Economic Development”, jointly held on December 18 by the State PlanningCommission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.
In recent years, the Chinese government has been investing in health. The total investment hasincreased from 225.8 billion in 1995 to 476.4 billion in year 2000.
8. Summary Translation: Health is the key point to economic development, heardMacroeconomics and Health seminar held in Beijing, by www.guoyicn.com
At a seminar on “Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for EconomicDevelopment”, jointly held on December 18 by the State Planning Commission, Ministry ofHealth, Ministry of Finance and the World Health Organization, Health Minister ZhnagWenkang said “The total expenditure on health in China increased from 225.8 billion Yuan in1995 to 476.4 billion Yuan in 2000.”
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Chairman of the Macroeconomic and Health Committee of WHO,said that health is both a priority goal in its own right, as well as a central input into economicdevelopment and poverty reduction. The importance of investing in health has been greatlyunderestimated, not only by analysts but also by developing country governments and theinternational donor community. Investing in health for economic development, especially inthe world’s poorest countries, based upon a new global partnership of the developing anddeveloped countries, could extend the life spans, productivity and economic well-being of thepoor.
9. Summary Translation: Health is the key point to economic development, heard theMacroeconomics and Health seminar held in Beijing, by ‘Health News’
At a seminar on “Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for EconomicDevelopment”, jointly held on December 18 by the State Planning Commission, Ministry ofFinance, Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, Health Minister ZhnagWenkang said “The total expenditure on health in China increased from 225.8 billion Yuan in1995 to 476.4 billion Yuan in 2000.”
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Chairman of the Macroeconomics and Health Commission of WHO,said that health is both a priority goal in its own right, as well as a central input into economicdevelopment and poverty reduction. The importance of investing in health has been greatlyunderestimated, not only by analysts but also by developing country governments and theinternational donor community. Investing in health for economic development, especially inthe world’s poorest countries, based upon a new global partnership of the developing anddeveloped countries, could extend the life spans, productivity and economic well-being of thepoor.
10. Summary Translation: China will subsidize farmers who take part in newcooperative medical programme in Central and Western region, by China News(Beijing)
As from 2003, central and local finance will give 10 Yuan of subsidies every year respectivelyto each farmer taking part in new cooperative medical programme in the Central and Westernregions. The news were made known at a seminar on “Macroeconomics and Health: Investingin Health for Economic Development”, jointly held on December 18 by the State PlanningCommission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Inrecent years, the Chinese government has been investing in health. The total investment hasincreased from 225.8 billion in 1995 to 476.4 billion in year 2000.
11. Summary Translation: China will subsidize farmers who take part in newcooperative medical programme in Central and Western region, bywww.chinanews.com.cn
As from 2003, central and local finance will give 10 Yuan of subsidies every year respectively to eachfarmer taking part in a new cooperative medical programme in the Central and Western regions. Thenews were made known at a seminar on “Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health forEconomic Development”, jointly held on December 18 by the State Planning Commission, Ministryof Finance, Health Ministry and the World Health Organization. In recent years, the Chinesegovernment has been investing in health. The total investment has increased from 225.8 billion in1995 to 476.4 billion in year 2000.
12. Summary Translation: Macroeconomics and Health Seminar Held in Beijing, by‘Chinese Health Pictorial’
A seminar on Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for Economic Developmentwas jointly held on December 18 by the State Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance,Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization.
Zhang Wenkang, the Minister of Health attended the meeting and Dr Shigeru Omi, WHO’sRegional Director gave a speech. Professor Jeffrey Sachs introduced the report on“Macroeconomics and Health: Investing in Health for Economic Development”. Dr DavidNabarro in his presentation described a series of continuous activities that other countrieshave adopted in line with the report. Professor Hu Angang and Cai Renhua, Director ofHealth Economy Research Institute also gave presentations.
13. Summary Translation: Protection of Anti-AIDS drugs – by Business Post
From 1980 to 2000, the health indices for the Chinese population were lower than that of theindex for per capita income. According to Rand Company, AIDS and other infectious diseaseswill give a minus growth of 1.8-2.25% to Chinese economy.
Professor Sachs, Chairman of Macroeconomics and Health Commission of WHO, said: “Atpresent, some Chinese enterprises have begun producing anti-AIDS drugs”, and added that hesupports the “Compulsory Permit System” which would be beneficial to the HIV patients indeveloping countries.
14. Summary Translation: Invest more money in health for macroeconomicdevelopment, by China Reform Daily
At a meeting jointly held by the State Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry ofHealth and the World Health Organization (HWO), Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Chairman of theMacroeconomics and Health Commission of WHO, proposed that China should pursue nationalmacroeconomic development through investment in health.
Professor Sachs said that health was both a priority goal in its own right, as well as a centralinput into economic development and poverty reduction. The importance of investing inhealth has been greatly underestimated, not only by analysts but also by developing countries’governments and the international donor community. Investing in health should be animportant part in countries’ strategic plan for poverty reduction.
