In response to General Secretary Xi Jinping's important directive on strengthening the rule of law in public health, the Open University of China (OUC) invited Mr. Wang Chenguang, famous health law expert and professor of Tsinghua University, to give a video lecture entitled “The Public Security System and Health Legalisation" as part of its Quality Lectures by Famous Teachers series of courses on 27 June 2020.
In 2020, COVID-19 has become a major public health emergency affecting China and the entire world, underlining the significance of the legalisation of public health emergencies. At a symposium with experts and scholars chaired by General Secretary Xi Jinping on 2 June, Wang Chenguang proposed amending the law in a systematic way in order to address the current problems and called for the introduction of a public health law.
In his lecture, Professor Wang Chenguang introduced the idea of "Integrating Health Concepts with All Policies" from the perspective of the health law system. In order to introduce health concepts into all policies, we should put health in a strategic position and give priority to its development, strengthen communication and cooperation between various departments and industries, and form a joint force to promote health. At the same time, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive health impact appraisal and assessment system in order to systematically assess the impact of various economic and social development plans, policies, and major engineering projects on health. Professor Wang pointed out that the main determinants of health include social and economic environment, material environment, a person’s physique, and a person's behaviour. In order to promote public health, we need to encourage all relevant social departments, communities, families, and individuals to fulfil their health responsibilities and jointly maintain and promote health.
The lecture, which was jointly organised and planned by the Learning Resources Department (the Digital Library), the Faculty of Agroforestry and Medicine, and the Audio-Visual Publishing House of the OUC Press and Media Group, is part of the Quality Courses by Famous Teachers series. The lecture aimed to give full play to the role of the OUC in lifelong education for all and help teachers and students from open universities, as well as other members of society, learn more about the achievements and trends of health legislation in China, while also stimulating public concern for life and health and implementing the "Healthy China 2030” national development strategy through practical actions.
OUC Press and Media Group