A Quantitative Study on Digital Health and Wellness Policies from the Combination Perspective of “Subject-Theme-Tool”

[Purpose/Significance] The health and wellness sector comprises various domains, including healthcare, eldercare, medical services, and tourism. It has garnered significant public attention. In recent years, the rapid growth of digital technology has presented opportunities for enhancing the health and wellness industry. A systematic analysis of China’s digital health and wellness policies and strategies is necessary to assess if current policies align with industry needs. This assessment aims to genuinely promote the digital empowerment of the health and wellness sector, align with China’s national health strategy, thus offer fresh insights and directions for the adjustment of China’s digital health and wellness industry. [Method/Process] To accomplish this, policy documents pertaining to digital health and wellness in China were retrieved from the Peking University’s legal and regulatory database and the State Council Policy Document Library. Employing a “subject-theme-tool” framework, a comprehensive analysis of 160 central policy documents was conducted utilizing text econometrics, social network analysis, LDA theme modeling, and content analysis tools. [Results/Conclusion] The research findings reveal shortcomings in China’s digital health policies, characterized by a lack of depth in the implementation of healthcare services. In addition, there appears an uneven distribution of policy instruments and a pressing need for enhanced coordination among policy stakeholders. Recommendations include a focus on the digital transformation and deployment of high-quality healthcare services, the promotion of policy tool optimization and equilibrium, the enhancement of a multi-party collaborative policy framework, and the formation of policy synergies across different domains.