Narrative evolution and basic experience: the Chinese Communist Party′s public health policy over a century

The Communist Party of China (CPC) led Chinese people to carry out the revolution, national construction, and reform and development for the national rejuvenation since the party′s founding a century ago. The evolution of CPC′s public health policies could be generalized into four periods: paying equal attention on revolution and health (1921 – 1948), being engaged in public welfare (1949 – 1978), promoting market-oriented reform (1979 – 2003), and improving emergency and health system (2004 – present). The CPC′s policy principle is transformed from curing the sickness and saving the patient, having universal welfare, enhancing market efficiency to providing scientific service. The CPC obtained valuable experiences in making public health policy in different stages of social development and acquired advanced public health concept, which will guarantee the development and progress of public health in China.