Background: In early 2020, over 80,000 cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were confirmed in China. Public prevention and control measures, along with efforts from all sectors of society, were undertaken to control and eliminate disease transmission.Objective: This paper describes Chinese citizens’ response to the epidemic, the preventive measures they implemented to avoid being infected, and the public strategies that were carried out by the government, health workers, etc. We also discuss the efficacy of these measures in controlling the epidemic in China.Methods: Information on the responses and behaviors of Chinese citizens were collected through a cross-sectional, internet-based survey using Dingxiang Doctor’s public account on WeChat. Information on public strategies implemented by all sectors of society to control the epidemic and data on new COVID-19 cases were collected from the internet, mainly from government websites. Standard descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the data.Results: A total of 10,304 participants responded to the survey, with 10,198 valid responses; 74.1% (n=7557) were female and 25.9% (n=2641) were male. Overall, 98.2% (n=10,013) of participants paid high or very high attention to the epidemic, with WeChat being their main information source (n=9400, 92.2%). Over half the participants (n=5878, 57.7%) were confident that the epidemic could be curbed in China; 92.4% (n=9427) opened windows for ventilation more frequently than usual; 97.9% (n=9986) used masks in public; 95.7% (n=9759) avoided large crowds and stayed at home as much as possible; and 97.9% (n=9988) washed their hands more often than usual. Women were more likely to practice these behaviors than men (P<.001). With a series of strict public control measures, like nationwide health education campaigns, holiday extensions, the Examine and Approve Policy on the resumption of work, close management of working and living quarters, a health QR (Quick Response) code system, community screening, and social distancing policies, the number of new cases have decreased dramatically since February 12, 2020.Conclusions: The methods employed by Chinese citizens and authorities have effectively curtailed the spread of COVID-19, demonstrating that this pandemic can be brought under control as long as the right measures are taken.

A multidisciplinary journal that focuses on public health and technology, public health informatics, mass media campaigns, surveillance, and innovation in public health practice and research. Also dedicated to rapid open data sharing during epidemics.

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese government and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention have released COVID-19–related information to the public through various channels to raise their concern level of the pandemic, increase their knowledge of disease prevention, and ensure the uptake of proper preventive practices. Objective: Our objectives were to determine Chinese netizens’ concerns related to COVID-19 and the relationship between their concerns and information on the internet. We also aimed to elucidate the association between individuals’ levels of concern, knowledge, and behaviors related to COVID-19. Methods: The questionnaire, which consisted of 15 closed-ended questions, was designed to investigate Chinese netizens’ knowledge about COVID-19. The self-selection online survey method of nonprobability sampling was used to recruit participants through Dingxiangyisheng WeChat (a public, medical, and health service platform in China) accounts. Standard descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to analyze the data. Results: In total, 10,304 respondents were surveyed on the internet (response rate=1.75%; 10,304/590,000). Nearly all (n=9803, 95.30%) participants were concerned about “confirmed cases” of COVID-19, and 87.70% (n=9036) received information about the outbreak through social media websites. There were significant differences in participants’ concerns by sex (P=.02), age (P<.001), educational attainment (P=.001), and occupation (P<.001). All knowledge questions and preventive practices were associated with concerns about COVID-19. The results of the multivariate logistic regression indicated that participants’ sex, educational attainment, occupation and employment status, knowledge acquisition, and concern level were significantly associated with the practice of proper preventive behaviors. Conclusions: This study elucidated Chinese netizens’ concerns, information sources, and preventive behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sex, educational attainment, occupation and employment status, knowledge acquisition, and level of concern were key factors associated with proper preventive behaviors. This offers a theoretical basis for the government to provide targeted disease prevention and control information to the public.

Background: Chronic diseases have emerged as a significant public health challenge owing to the escalating global demographic shift toward an aging population. Middle-aged and older individuals are particularly vulnerable to chronic illnesses owing to physiological and socioeconomic changes. By leveraging health literacy data from the Zhejiang Province, this study aimed to elucidate the correlation between health literacy levels and the prevalence of chronic diseases in this demographic cohort.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a stratified multistage whole-cluster random sampling method was used to select 12,116 permanent residents aged 45–69 years from 30 monitoring sites in Zhejiang Province from June to November 2023, using the National Health Literacy Monitoring Questionnaire for the Population. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to unravel the correlation between proficiency in health education and the prevention of chronic illnesses.Results: Sex, age, income, education, self-assessed health status, and smoking status emerged as significant predictors across the different models. Notably, self-assessed health and smoking statuses were identified as confounders that significantly affected the association between health literacy and chronic diseases. Furthermore, this study explored the influence of independent variables on specific chronic diseases, such as hypertension and cerebrovascular disease, with consistent patterns observed across models.Conclusion: Health literacy is instrumental in thwarting chronic diseases among middle-aged and older individuals. Those with higher levels of health literacy are less likely to suffer from chronic diseases, and high health literacy is a protective factor against hypertension and cerebrovascular disease.

Background: In 2024, Zhejiang Province introduced a new policy offering free influenza vaccinations to individuals aged 60 years and older. However, the vaccination willingness among the newly eligible 60-69 years age group remains ambiguous in comparison to those aged 70 years and older. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the willingness of individuals aged ≥60 years in Zhejiang Province, China, to receive free influenza vaccines under a newly implemented policy. It further explored their sources of influenza-related health information and identified key determinants of vaccination hesitancy across age subgroups. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using multistage convenience sampling via on-site questionnaires. Structured questionnaires were administered to 7162 eligible participants aged ≥60 years from March to May 2024. Valid responses (n=7103; response rate: 99.18%) were analyzed via logistic regression and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Overall vaccination willingness was 73.15% (5196/7103), with 11.71% (832/7103) refusal and 15.14% (1075/7103) hesitancy. Key predictors of hesitancy included male gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.05‐1.54), ages 60‐69 years (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.06‐2.02), corporate employment (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58‐0.98), and absence of chronic diseases (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.44‐2.96). The 60‐69 year age group demonstrated lower awareness of the free policy (61.9% vs 73.72% in the ≥70 years group; H=61.25, P<.001) but higher engagement with social media (WeChat [Tencent Holdings Limited]: H=345.44; TikTok [ByteDance Ltd]: H=294.66; P<.001) for health information. Conclusions: Despite high willingness, knowledge gaps persist, particularly among adults aged 60‐69 years. Targeted dissemination of policy information via social media platforms (eg, WeChat and TikTok) and community-driven campaigns is recommended to enhance vaccination uptake. This approach may serve as a model for regions implementing similar policies. Future studies should track actual vaccination uptake postpolicy and explore artificial intelligence–driven social media interventions to boost engagement.

Objective The current study aimed to assess the level of nicotine dependence and its influencing factors among daily smokers in Zhejiang, China. Setting The 2020 Global Adult Tobacco Survey was conducted in Zhejiang, China. Participants 1244 daily smokers aged ≥15 years. Measures Respondents were asked questions regarding their age, sex, residence, education level, occupation, household income, age of starting daily smoking and nicotine dependence. Results The findings revealed that 17.4% of daily smokers were highly dependent on nicotine, and the mean Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score of daily smokers was (3.1±2.4). Age, educational level, occupation and age of starting daily smoking had significant effects on high nicotine dependence, whereas residence, sex and yearly household income were not significant factors. Compared with the age group ≥60 years, the proportion of respondents with a higher nicotine dependence level was lower in the age group of 15–39 years (OR=0.45). Daily smokers with a higher education level had a lower nicotine dependence level than those with a lower education level: primary or less (OR=3.07) and secondary (OR=2.62). Government institution staff (OR=4.02), unemployed persons (OR=3.08) and industrial workers (OR=2.46) had significantly higher nicotine dependence levels than did workers in the other occupation categories. People who started daily smoking at ≤18 years of age had a higher nicotine dependence level (OR=2.25) than those who started later. Conclusions This study elucidated that nearly one-fifth of daily smokers in Zhejiang, China, have high nicotine dependence levels. Improved health information on tobacco smoking is needed to encourage daily smokers to quit smoking, particularly among young males, unemployed persons and those with lower education levels.