On the morning of September 22, 2024, the Peking University Institute for Global Health and Development hosted the Second Concluding Symposium for the Young Scholars Award Program. The event was moderated by Professor Hai Fang, who holds joint appointments at the Institute for Global Health and Development and the Peking University China Center for Health Development Studies. Professor Gordon Liu, Dean of the Institute for Global Health and Development and BOYA Distinguished Professor at the National School of Development, delivered the opening remarks. Ms. Yun Qian, Vice President of Pfizer China, spoke on behalf of the program’s sponsoring organization. Joining online was Associate Professor Xi Chen from Yale University, who also serves as an adjunct professor at the Institute for Global Health and Development. Professor Ming Xu, Chair of the Department of Global Health at the School of Public Health and Deputy Director of the Institute, delivered the closing remarks. Faculty members and students from both the Institute for Global Health and Development and the School of Public Health participated in discussions and exchanges throughout the conference.
In his speech, Dean Gordon Liu highlighted that nurturing talent is a core focus of the Institute for Global Health and Development. Through collaboration with industry partners, the Young Scholars Award Program aims to foster a supportive environment that encourages both academic research and industry development in the field of global health. The program provides talented young scholars with the opportunity to fully engage in Peking University's vibrant academic community and delve into cutting-edge issues. The Institute is pleased with the results of the second round of the program and has even higher hopes for the future success of the five scholars. Sincere appreciation was also extended to the donors for their generous support.
In his remarks, Vice President Yun Qian shared the original inspiration behind the donation to the Young Scholars Award Program and offered his congratulations on the remarkable success of the program’s second cohort. He expressed his hope for continued collaboration in the future to further support outstanding young scholars in producing more impactful research.
The five scholars of the second cohort each delivered impressive final presentations on their work.
Associate Professor Chao Ma, School of Economics and Management, Southeast University
Associate Professor Chao Ma from Southeast University delivered a presentation titled “Direct Settlement of Cross-Regional Medical Treatment and Healthcare Demand.” The study analyzed health insurance settlement data and patient records for out-of-town inpatients at eight leading hospitals in Guangzhou from January 2017 and April 2019. Using a Dynamic Difference-in-Differences (DID) approach, the research analyzed how cross-regional settlement affects the number of admissions and total hospitalization costs for both local and out-of-town patients. The study also examined policy outcomes over different time periods and explored key mechanisms, such as hassle costs and liquidity constraints. The results showed that there is a positive correlation between direct settlement and daily admissions for out-of-town patients, with the effect becoming more noticeable 15 to 24 months after policy implementation. This shift primarily encouraged patients to seek treatment in stronger departments at leadings hospitals rather than less specialized ones in their home regions. Importantly, there was no significant rise in overall hospitalization costs or health insurance payouts. These findings offer valuable insights into the impact of cross-regional medical policies on healthcare demand and provide practical evidence for further policy refinement.
Associate Professor Lianping Yang, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University
Associate Professor Lianping Yang from Sun Yat-sen University presented a report titled “The Changing Climate and Socioeconomic Factors Contribute to Antimicrobial Resistance.” The study analyzed how climate change and socioeconomic factors collectively impact antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Covering data from over 3.2 million bacterial strains across 101 countries and regions over a 24-year period (1999-2022), the research reflects its broad scale and global significance. The study took an innovative approach by integrating multiple factors, including environmental variables such as temperature changes, air pollution, and surface runoff, alongside socioeconomic indicators like healthcare spending, out-of-pocket expenses, corruption index, population mobility, and immunization coverage. This allowed for a deep analysis of the complex dynamics influencing AMR. Key finds revealed that higher levels of PM2.5, surface runoff, and temperature fluctuations were strongly correlated with increased AMR, while higher healthcare spending and immunization coverage were associated with lower AMR rates. The report emphasized the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a key factor in mitigating AMR, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to mapping global AMR trends, the study provided quantitative assessments of climate change’s long-term effects on AMR, offering valuable insights for predicting AMR trajectories under various socioeconomic scenarios. The findings emphasize the need for global cooperation to address AMR, suggesting that climate-adaptive strategies may be more effective than merely reducing antibiotic use. The research contributes greatly to the development of comprehensive global solutions to tackle AMR.
Associate Professor Xin Zhang, School of Statistics, Beijing Normal University
Associate Professor Xin Zhang from the School of Statistics at Beijing Normal University presented a report titled “The Dynamic Evolution of Disparities in Air Pollution Exposure.” Using high-resolution satellite data, the study analyzed air pollutant concentrations in villages, towns, and counties across China between 2010 and 2020. For the first time, it analyzed the trends of PM2.5 and ozone by considering both urban-rural differences and the varying levels of educational attainment, examining how these factors impact pollution exposure. The research found that since 2010 PM2.5 levels have declined rapidly in both urban and rural areas of China. Although urban areas consistently had higher PM2.5 concentrations than rural ones, the gap has gradually narrowed. However, ozone levels have risen in both regions, stressing the importance of pollution control policies. The urban-rural disparity in pollution was more evident in moderately polluted areas, while in highly polluted regions, rural areas often experienced higher pollutant levels than urban ones. In these high-pollutant regions, both the decline in PM2.5 and the rise in ozone were particularly significant, both in absolute and relative terms. Using event analysis, the study revealed that the implementation of the “Air Pollution Action Plan” (the “Ten Measures for Air”) was a key factor driving the reduction in PM2.5 levels and the shrinking urban-rural pollution gap. The study also showed that China’s pollution control policies tend to be regionally focused. Additionally, regions with higher educational attainment tended to have higher pollutant concentrations than those with lower levels of education. The evolution of air pollution disparities in China are distinct from the trends seen in the United States.
Associate Professor Yihe Liang, School of Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics
Associate Professor Yihe Liang from the School of Economics at the Central University of Finance and Economics presented a report titled “The Long-term Impact of Minimum Legal Purchasing Age: Evidence from China.” The study utilized the exogenous policy changes brought about by the 1992 Tobacco Monopoly Law and the Law on the Protection of Minors in China. Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) from 1993 to 2015 and a regression discontinuity design (RDD), the study examined the long-term effects of smoking interventions on adolescent smoking behavior, health outcomes, and other indirect influence on family members’ behavior and health. The research found that smoking bans targeting adolescents significantly reduced smoking behaviors in the long run: the likelihood of having ever smoked dropped by 5.7%, the probability of current smoking decreased by 6.1%, and average cigarette consumption was reduced by 1.1 cigarettes. The bans also led to better long-term health outcomes, including a 1.8% reduction in the probability of illness and a 2.3% decrease in the likelihood of coughing. Moreover, the study identified indirect effects of the smoking bans within a household: when the smoking ban was imposed on the husband, his wife’s smoking tendencies and intensity were also reduced. Conversely, if the smoking ban was imposed on the wife, her husband’s health improved. Moreover, when both parents were subject to the smoking ban, their children’s health improved, although the mother’s influence was less pronounced. The policy implications are clear: smoking bans targeting adolescents have lasting effects on their behavior, underscoring the need for a comprehensive legal framework for youth smoking prevention. In rural areas, enforcement of these bans requires greater attention and stronger measures. The study also highlights the importance of considering the spillover effects of smoking bans between spouses and across generations when assessing the effectiveness of tobacco control policies for adolescents.
Associate Professor Yang Xie, School of Economics and Management, Beihang University (Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
Associate Professor Yang Xie from Beihang University presented a report titled “Planetary Health Axis Initiative.” The report focused on the key research project initiated by Peking University’s Institute for Global Health and Development, highlighting its theoretical foundation, methodological approach, and initial findings. The initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive evaluation framework for countries across the globe, using a planetary perspective and focusing on human well-being within the context of planetary health. By assessing the interactions and performance of various health factors within the limits of the planet’s resources, the project aims to contribute a “China-led solution” to the creation of a global community dedicated to promoting human health and well-being.
In his closing remarks, Professor Ming Xu commended the five young scholars for their outstanding final presentations. He delved into several important topics highlighted in their reports and offered insights on the prospects of the Young Scholars Award Program, expressing confidence in its continued success.
(Written by Qingbo Wang and Luyang Xiao)
