Background: This study aims to examine the impact of individual-level and community-based factors on popular social participation activities of Chinese middle-aged and older adults post-stroke. Methods: Sub-samples of survivors of stroke (2011: n = 413, 2013: n = 395, 2015: n = 441) recruited by the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included in the analysis. Zero-inflated Poisson and multi-level logistic regression models were used to explore factors associated with social participation. Results: More than half of individuals (55.0%) had no social participation and 23.4% participated in multiple social activities. The most popular social activities that individuals participated in were interacting with friends (32.6%) and going to a community club to play table games (22.7%). Multiple individual-level factors were negatively related to social participation (e.g., depressive symptoms and multiple measures of functional limitations) while the allocation of an outdoor exercise facility in the community/village was positively associated with the participation of going to a community club to play table games. Conclusion: Stroke survivors are at high risk of limited social participation. Policymakers and other key stakeholders should consider community design among other potential solutions when identifying ways to link at-risk stroke survivors to both opportunities for rehabilitation (e.g., physical function) and social participation.

During the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, the lockdown of the densely-populated metropolis caused panic and disorderly behavior among its population. Community governance systems (CGSs) were mobilized to lead community engagement to address the challenges and issues brought about by the sudden quarantine measures, still unprecedented in any part of the world during that time. This commentary aims to describe and analyze the roles of the CGSs, its implementation of culturally-tailored strategies and the performance of new functions as called for by the outbreak. We will introduce the community governance structure which has two parallel administrative units of government including the branches of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The pandemic showed that the roles of the CGSs evolved and may continue to be improved in the future. It is important to engage the community and to have community-based approaches in addressing issues brought about by lockdowns. This community experience in Wuhan provides important lessons for the rest of the world.

In response to growing uncertainty in global health driven by geopolitical tensions, pandemics, and climate-related challenges, global health education must evolve to equip students with theoretical knowledge and core competencies, such as leadership, cross-cultural communication, and strategic thinking. This study reviews the updates to the International Health Project Management (IHPM) course and examines its three key changes: introducing a student-oriented teaching module, incorporating teamwork and role-play to promote autonomy and accountability; expanding geographic flexibility to encourage broader strategic thinking; and strengthening team dynamics through clearer role definitions and targeted support mechanisms. Students formed project teams, established internal regulations, and selected global health scenarios for project design. This revised approach fostered in-depth discussions that encouraged open-minded thinking, enabling students to move beyond disease-focused content to strategic systemic considerations. Greater group ownership also improved collaboration and accountability, addressing common teamwork challenges such as role confusion and uneven participation. However, the analytical depth varied depending on students’ disciplinary backgrounds. Finally, we argue that a tiered curriculum that moves from theory to competency building can better support student growth. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of student-oriented approaches to strengthen leadership, cross-cultural communication, and strategic thinking, competencies essential for contributing to a shared future for global health.