Associate Professor Qian Long of the Global Health Research Center at Duke Kunshan University has been recognized for her significant contribution to the project titled “Development and Application of a Comprehensive Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Model Based on the Integration of Medical and Preventive Care.” This project was awarded third prize in the “2023 Chinese Preventive Medicine Association (CPMA) Science and Technology Award” (Project Number: 202332089002).
Since 2003, Associate Professor Long has focused her research on tuberculosis (TB) among migrant populations. In 2009, she joined the China National Health Commission–Gates Foundation Tuberculosis Control Cooperation Project, a collaboration between the Chinese National Health Commission and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Professor Long’s team played a key role in the second and third phases of this project, focusing on integrating TB prevention and control models and evaluating multi-channel financing mechanisms.
The Chinese government has placed a strong emphasis on TB prevention and control, achieving significant reductions in TB incidence and mortality over the past three decades. However, China remains one of the world’s 30 high-burden TB countries, with approximately 800,000 new cases reported annually, ranking third globally. Challenges persist, including the spread of drug-resistant TB, the difficulty of detecting and treating TB among migrant populations, and the limited capacity for TB prevention in grassroots health institutions. The situation is particularly severe in central and western regions and rural areas, where the current TB prevention and control system is struggling to meet the demands of the evolving epidemic.
The award-winning team advocates for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach that integrates medical and preventive care. By fostering clear division of responsibilities and collaboration among disease prevention and control institutions, designated TB medical centers, and primary health care facilities, the team aims to enhance TB prevention and control services. Their goals include early screening, accurate diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and reducing the financial burden on patients, ultimately contributing to further reductions in TB incidence.
About the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association Science and Technology Award
Established in 2006 with approval from the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association Science and Technology Award recognizes outstanding achievements in public health and preventive medicine. The award is presented biennially and includes three levels: first, second, and third prizes. The selection process is overseen by a committee of leading experts and scholars in the field. This award has become one of the three major scientific honors in the healthcare industry, recognized for its contribution to the advancement of professional technical qualifications.
By Ruitong Li
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https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2468-2667(21)00203-6
