Promoting China's mHealth market: A policy perspective

Background The mobile health (mHealth) service is experiencing worldwide escalation due to the invaluable support it provides to a rapidly expanding elderly population and patients with chronic conditions. However, the mHealth market in China is aberrated in comparison with other countries in two major aspects: 1) the monitoring service is a minority market; and 2) the potential users (the elderly and patients with chronic conditions) lack the interest for using this service. Method To explain this understated condition, we examine the specific policies on the mHealth service and the current healthcare system in China, with suggestions for forming mHealth policies. Results Based on our policy analysis, this research proposes several political and practical suggestions for mHealth implementation in China. Along with the characteristics of the mHealth market, this research further develops a healthcare ecosystem connecting major stakeholders, including the government, the community, service providers, health professionals, drug manufacturers, and data-analysis organizations. Our suggestions will be beneficial to China's mHealth market in the business sense and provide insights for policymakers on how to regulate the market.