25-05-2025
WHO honors Chinese aging specialist with health award
At an awards ceremony held during the 78th World Health Assembly on Friday, five prestigious World Health Organization (WHO) awards were presented to outstanding individuals and groups in the global health sector.
Wang Huali, chief physician at Peking University's No. 6 Hospital, received "His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for the Promotion of Healthy Aging." This marks the first time a Chinese expert in the field of mental health has received this honor.
In her acceptance speech, Wang said China places great importance on promoting healthy aging. "I am particularly grateful for the guidance from China's National Health Commission, which has given me the opportunity to participate in promoting and implementing the national action plan to address dementia in old age," she said.
The award, she added, "is not only a recognition of me personally but also an affirmation of all dementia prevention and control workers in China and around the world."
Wang said she would continue working with colleagues to promote active aging, dementia care and prevention, and the mental health of older adults.
Wang Huali (C, front) has advocated for greater awareness of dementia care and prevention. /courtesy of Dementia Care and Research Center, Peking University's Institute of Mental Health
In an interview, Wang also noted that population aging is a significant global challenge, and that healthy aging is receiving increasing attention in the health sector. She emphasized the importance of international cooperation in advancing the field.
Peking University Sixth Hospital has long served as a WHO Collaborating Center, and Wang expressed hope for closer collaboration with the WHO in the future to amplify China's voice on the international stage and share the country's achievements more widely.
According to information provided by the WHO, Wang has made significant contributions to promoting healthy aging both nationally and globally. She participated in drafting China's "14th Five-Year Plan for Healthy Aging" and the "National Action Plan to Address Dementia in Old Age (2024-2030)." In collaboration with the WHO, she co-authored global dementia guidelines and the iSupport online course.
Wang has implemented a comprehensive management approach to dementia care, compiling care guidelines and technical implementation plans that have been promoted in 19 provinces in China. She also developed a community-based interdisciplinary service model that integrates professional and family support, currently being deployed by 150 teams across 27 regions. Since 2006, she has advocated for the adoption of cognitive stimulation therapy in over 20 provinces.
Source: CGTN
