In recent years, the global health consumption market has experienced remarkable growth. According to research agencies, the market reached an impressive scale of $6.3 trillion in 2023, accounting for over 6% of the world's GDP. A notable observation is that health expenditure per capita in North America and Europe significantly surpasses that of the Asia-Pacific region, showcasing a tendency for advanced economies to invest more in health-related initiatives.

Developed nations possess a wealth of experience when it comes to promoting health consumption and advancing the health industry. Firstly, transparent national health strategies are essential. Countries like Germany have effectively established health promotion agencies, such as the Federal Centre for Health Education. With local branches in 16 states and health promotion stations in communities, these efforts indicate a robust commitment to enhancing the collective health literacy of the population. Secondly, synergistic policies that encourage both health consumption and industry growth are crucial. Japan stands out for its unique protective and supportive policies geared towards innovative pharmaceuticals, alongside tax incentives for the medical industry. These initiatives reflect the emphasis on cultivating human resources tightly connected to health services. Lastly, comprehensive social security and healthcare insurance systems play critical roles in transforming residents’ intentions into tangible health consumption capabilities.

Health consumption represents a golden opportunity to pivot from a disease-centred approach to one that prioritizes wellness. In the report of the 20th National Congress, a “Healthy China” initiative has been put forth as a crucial component for the nation's development objectives by 2035. In alignment with this vision, China has undertaken an array of policies aimed at enhancing the health consumption landscape and the health industry overall. Remarkably, health literacy among residents surged from 17% in 2018 to 29.7% in 2023. To expand and reinforce the health consumption market, it is imperative to explore several focal points.

First and foremost, creating a conducive environment for health consumption is essential. Continuous, in-depth health literacy campaigns aimed at the entire population are vital, emphasizing early screening and diagnosis of major diseases as well as chronic illness prevention. This includes nurturing healthy lifestyles and habits within communities. In this regard, industry associations should formulate binding regulations encompassing industry standards and ethical guidelines that ensure proper business practices, thus fostering consumer confidence. Communities could implement models like the “smart health family” initiative, which cultivates family wellness through organized health lifestyle guides. For instance, the Shushan District in Hefei, Anhui province, has embarked on a pioneering “health grid” construction project, promoting integrated health services and community governance. By mid-2024, they have organized 152 health touring services, impacting over 10,000 individuals through health education outreach.

The second priority is to cultivate new growth points in health consumption. Elevating the quality of personalized health assessment services, consultative support, and rehabilitation care is crucial. Moreover, promoting the consumption of ready-to-eat health supplements and fortifying nutritional products presents opportunities for market expansion. Specific sectors like medical aesthetics, dental care, and dietary management focusing on female health also represent areas of potential growth. Moreover, expanding interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly through products such as herbal tonics and teas, could further stimulate consumption within this sector. The promotion of smart health appliances and home-based medical care tools is also integral for developing consumer habits centered around health management in domestic settings.

Additionally, it's essential to enhance the reimbursement capabilities of health insurance for consumption. Expanding the coverage of medical insurance while integrating relevant online health services, traditional Chinese medical projects, and herbal therapies into the insurance framework is a pressing requirement. Encouraging regions with sufficient resources to increase reimbursement ratios for outpatient chronic illnesses and hospital admissions is another strategic measure. There's a need for cooperative health accounts at the workplace that allow funds to flow freely, enabling shared participation in basic health insurance for family members. The commercial health insurance sector is also set to grow significantly. For instance, Zhejiang Province's project “Zheli Huimin Bao” focuses on offering affordable supplementary coverage that allocates about 90% of costs towards claims payouts, thereby visibly alleviating residents' medical expenses.

Moreover, improving the accessibility of health consumption services for residents remains a priority. Constructing interconnected medical communities and tiered healthcare service networks is fundamental to facilitating effective health management. Promoting traditional Chinese medicine services at the grassroots level, alongside promoting a “15-minute convenience living circle” should include easy access to health retail and service outlets. Innovations in “Internet +” healthcare have progressed the realm of pharmaceutical and medical device e-commerce platforms, simplifying service delivery. Notably, initiatives like “Internet + medical insurance” have introduced digital insurance codes, streamlining the patient journey from consultation to treatment while continuously expanding practical applications.

Finally, precise strategies are required to empower health industry development. Regularly updated catalogs that outline health industry parameters will assist in creating policy support across technological, taxation, spatial, and funding dimensions for companies listed in these directories. Consolidated policy frameworks across various departments can also stimulate value-added services throughout the health industry chain. Furthermore, optimizing the negative list for foreign investment in the health sector will facilitate special initiatives aimed at attracting high-quality global enterprises to set up regional headquarters, research centers, and manufacturing bases in China.