Abstract
Background
In China, policies aimed at promoting physical-medical integration have garnered significant attention at the national level. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the extent to which these policies incorporate the promotion of health equity. This study aims to explore the existence and manifestation of health equity promotion in relevant policy documents.
Methods
Utilizing textual content analysis, this study analyzed 62 policy documents on physical-medical integration issued by various Chinese departments between June 2016 and June 2023. The KH Coder qualitative analysis software served as the analytical tool to facilitate the process.
Findings
The analysis revealed several key findings. Firstly, the policies exhibited a strong orientation towards universal health goals, which served as the cornerstone for promoting health equity. The policies emphasized inclusive populations, spanning from children, adolescents, healthy adults, to older adults, ensuring access to health management and disease prevention support through body-health integration services. Secondly, the policy tool focused on balancing the distribution of health resources, particularly favoring rural, remote, and disadvantaged groups. This aimed to foster resource parity and reduce geographical health inequalities. Finally, the policies specified the importance of synergistic cooperation between multiple actors, such as government departments, sports management bodies, and healthcare institutions, to advance the cause of sports-health integration.
Conclusion
Although the policies on sports-medical integration and non-medical health interventions did not explicitly mention the concept of health equity, the underlying ideas and goals align closely with it. Both are directed towards enhancing the health of all individuals and achieving health equity.