The Lancet series on health system reform in China

In the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 20, 2008, an unprecedented scientific collaboration on China and global health is being launched by the The Lancet, Peking University Health Sciences Centre, and the China Medical Board. This Lancet Series on Health System Reform in China consists of 19 commissioned research papers (7 papers and 12 comments) that bring together the most recent scientific evidence on China's major health challenges, its health strategies, and China's health future. The Series was produced by a team of 63 scientists, with Chinese scientists constituting two-thirds of the authors, collaborating with an international team from 10 different countries. This Series aims to initiate long-term collaboration between The Lancet and China, together with the China Medical Board and WHO, including critically important partners, such as scientists both inside and outside China. The purpose of this collaboration is to introduce China's health system, achievements, and predicaments to the world and to foster scientific and institutional alliances that can strengthen the health of the Chinese people.

The launch event features keynote speeches by Professor Han Qide, Vice Chair of the People's Congress; Health Minister Chen Zhu; Vice Health Minister Huang Jiefu; and former Vice Health Minister Wang Longde — all of whom are also contributing authors of scientific papers in the Series. Other speakers are Professor Ke Yang, Executive Vice-President of Peking University; Dr. Lincoln Chen, President of the China Medical Board; Dr. Richard Horton; Editor of the Lancet; Dr. Harvey Fineberg, President of the US National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine; and Dr. Hans Troedsson, WHO Representative in China.

Please note:

• The press event to launch The Lancet Series will be held and the Chongqing Hall of the People's Great Hall at 11.00am (Beijing time) , Monday 20 October 2008. Those who wish to attend must contact lixiaojia@bjmu.edu.cn to get an invitation and parking permit. Otherwise, they will not be able to get in.

• For more information, please contact Tony Kirby , Press Officer, The Lancet, +44 (0) 20 7424 4949, tony.kirby@lancet.com