The evolution of health policy in China and internal migrants: Continuity, change, and current implementation challenges. Issue 1 (6th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Yunting; Ji, Ying; Chang, Chun; Liverani, Marco
• Is Part Of: Asia & the Pacific policy studies. Volume 7:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2020-01-06
• Subjects: China -- equity -- health insurance -- health policy -- internal migrants; Policy sciences -- Asia -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Australia -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Asia -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Australia -- Periodicals; 320.6095
• DOI: 10.1002/app5.294
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-2680

Abstract

Abstract: Rural–urban migration is a defining feature of socio‐economic change in contemporary China. It is estimated that internal migrants in China account for 20% of its population of 1.39 billion, providing manpower to the expanding urban industries. Yet internal migrants have long faced barriers to accessing health and other social services in urban destinations, and the migration process may expose them to novel health risks and inequities. Based on the analysis of policy documents and associated material, this article reviews the historical development of health policy in China in relation to internal migrants, identifying elements of continuity and change in the policy agenda and the ways in which migrants have been framed in policy formulations. Against this background, remaining gaps in the current policy framework and implementation challenges are discussed.