Objective  To analyze current situation of assessment on health emergency response capacity of centers for disease control and prevention (CDCs) in China and to provide evidence for developing standards for the capability evaluation.

  Methods  We retrieved relevant studies published in Chinese or English from January 1, 2003 to October 31, 2021 via searching Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science database. Content analysis, co-word clustering and significance assessing were used in sorting and categorizing the information on evaluation indicators adopted and critical issues of the response capability mentioned in the studies.

  Results  Of the 93 articles finally included in the analysis, 75 were studied using questionnaires and 70 were investigated by a regional CDC. Various index systems were used but no unified framework or standard was adopted in the studies. Based on co-word clustering analysis, four dimensions of the response capability of the CDCs were evaluated in the studies: emergency preparedness assessed by 8 indicators, monitoring/warning and risk assessment by 2 indicators, emergency response by 3 indicators, and organization by 2 indicators, respectively. As considered in the studies, the most important issue to be promoted in the CDCs′ response capability was the establishment of emergency workforce and rapid response team, followed by other main issues including standardized management on public health emergency, financial support, material reserve, staff training and simulation practice, related research, and development/improvement of preparedness plan and technical guidance.

  Conclusion  The uniformed framework, standardized assessment criteria and index system are not yet established for the evaluation on CDCs public health emergency response capability nowadays in China and the situation needs to be concerned by national administrative departments.