Joined the programme in 2019
When Chongqing joined Cities for Better Health in 2019, the city was already planning to promote the integration of public health, clinical-based medical services, and prevention to provide comprehensive management services for patients and to explore the implementation of a ‘double prescription’ system.
One of the largest cities in the world, Chongqing is home to 31 million people. As with many other megacities, there is an urgent need to address the rising diabetes challenge. Most recent figures show that 12.7% of adults in Chongqing are living with diabetes, 13.5% living with obesity, and more than a third were overweight.1
Key facts and figures
12.7%
of adults in Chongqing are living with diabetes1
13.5%
of adults in Chongqing living with obesity1
A double prescription system
As part of its efforts to improve awareness regarding the prevention and control of diabetes at the primary care level, Cities for Better Health in Chongqing introduced and implemented the practice of a “double prescription,” where doctors prescribe not only medical treatment but also a health treatment to guide lifestyle and behaviour changes.
The “double prescription” project was conceived to meet the medical needs of people living with diabetes, change perceptions of a healthy lifestyle and encourage active participation in managing their health and diabetes.
The project implements a “double prescription” system of medical prescription and health prescription. Cities for Better Health in Chongqing developed a set of guidelines for healthcare professionals to use as a reference when giving out the “health prescription”. The pilot project demonstrated that the “health prescription” effectively changed food and physical activity habits.
Cross-system collaboration
Cities for Better Health in Chongqing is also involved in a project to establish a network of diabetes experts at all hospital levels. Six third-class hospitals and 12 community hospitals have been selected from six districts in the city for this project. One of the goals of this project is to ensure a collaborative relationship between superior and subordinate hospitals.
Establishing a joint service team of clinicians, dieticians, sports medicine professionals, and public health physicians that shares its resources will ensure that diabetes prevention and treatment are integrated at all levels of the hospital system. Through regular guidance from the joint service team, expert teams at the various hospital levels can provide comprehensive health management services for people living with diabetes.
"Through the Cities for Better Health programme, we’ll study the future trend of diabetes, identify the causes of the disease, provide information support, decision support and promote all sectors of society to work together to improve diabetes prevention and control."
- Huang Minghui, Director of Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, Chongqing, China
Chongqing Municipal Health Commission
Chongqing Medical Association
Chongqing Municipal CDC
Report of Chongqing Residents Health 2018. 2018
