Congenital heart disease (CHD) ranks as the highest disease burden among birth defects, whether in Western developed countries or in China. Reducing CHD deaths is of great significance to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). China is one of the countries holding the largest number of patients with CHDs and the heaviest disease burden in the world. Since the reform and opening up, China has made great accomplishments in preventing and treating CHDs. The annual CHD deaths have dropped by 79%, and the standardized mortality rate (SMR) has dropped by 65%.
To promote the development of the CHD field in China, confront the challenges of CHDs based on scientific evidence, and explore the direction of future development, the Launch Meeting ofThe Lancet Child & Adolescent HealthCongenital Heart Disease in China Series was successfully held on June 8, 2023, at the National Children's Medical Center (Shanghai) and Shanghai Children's Medical Center affiliated with SJTUSM.
The Lancet, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world, focuses on promoting equity and accessibility in medical services. Commissioned byThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Healthand led by Shanghai Children's Medical Center, the team brings together experts from Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, and the Children's Hospital of Fudan University. After two years of planning and compilation, the expert team released China's first special reports series. These reports summarized the status quo, practice, progress, and challenges of CHD burden, screening, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, rehabilitation, and health management.
Professor Jiang Fan, Council Chair of the SJTUSM Committee, delivered a speech, paying tribute to the 200-year-old Lancet journal with the words “bright but not dazzling, the still water runs deep”. Jiang also called on colleagues to maintain their original aspirations and contribute to China's health industry.
Professor Zhang Hao, President of the National Children's Medical Center (Shanghai) and Shanghai Children's Medical Center affiliated with SJTUSM, delivered a speech to express his sincere welcome to the guests and colleagues.
Dr. Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief ofThe Lancetand publisher ofThe Lancet’s Series, delivered a video speech to witness the journal’s deepened cooperation with Chinese medical colleagues.
Dr. Esther Lau,The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
Professor He Yihua, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center in Fetal Heart Disease, Beijing Anzhen Hospital
Professor Li Shoujun, Director, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Center, Fuwai Hospital
Professor Zhang Hao, President of Shanghai Children's Medical Center and Director of the Heart Center
Dr. Huang Jiefang, Senior Editor, The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific
Dr. He Qiyu, Beijing Fuwai Hospital
Dr. Wang Hui, Asia Executive Editor atThe Lancet
At the press conference, Chinese pediatric heart specialists had exchanges and interactions with the editors-in-chief ofThe Lancet, and they look forward to more cooperation in the future to jointly promote the diagnosis, treatment, and research of congenital heart disease in China at a new stage.
