A Study on the Current Status of Urban-Rural Health Disparities and the Impact of Food Policies

Abstract

My country exhibits significant health disparities between urban and rural residents, a phenomenon closely related to unbalanced regional economic development, uneven resource allocation, and public policy orientation. Currently, urban residents generally outperform rural residents in terms of life expectancy and chronic disease management, but rural areas face significant challenges in infectious disease prevention and control, maternal and child health care, and access to basic medical services. As a key factor influencing residents' nutritional intake and health outcomes, the design and implementation of food policies profoundly shape urban and rural health patterns. Research has found that the urban-biased food distribution system, subsidy policies, and uneven market regulation exacerbate nutritional imbalances and food safety risks among rural residents. Furthermore, rural nutrition intervention programs have limited coverage and inadequate precision, making it difficult to effectively address health inequalities caused by income constraints and market failures. This article proposes the development of a coordinated urban-rural food policy system: optimizing agricultural product price support and subsidy structures, shifting towards a nutrition-oriented approach; strengthening rural food market regulation and infrastructure development; and integrating community resources to develop nutrition education and affordable healthy food supply programs. Through policy coordination, the nutritional health of rural residents can be significantly improved, the urban-rural health gap can be narrowed, and the Healthy China strategy can be implemented.