Beijing, China — Dr. Wang Huali, a chief physician at Peking University Sixth Hospital, has been honored with the “His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for the Promotion of Healthy Aging” by the World Health Organization (WHO). The award ceremony took place during the 78th World Health Assembly on Friday.
Dr. Wang is the first Chinese mental health expert to receive this esteemed recognition. In her acceptance speech, she highlighted China’s commitment to promoting healthy aging. “I am particularly grateful for the guidance from China’s National Health Commission, which has allowed me to participate in implementing the national action plan to address dementia in old age,” she said.
Emphasizing that the award is a collective achievement, Dr. Wang added, “This is not only a personal honor but also an affirmation of all dementia prevention and control workers in China and around the world.” She vowed to continue her efforts in promoting active aging, improving dementia care and prevention, and enhancing the mental health of older adults.
In an interview after the ceremony, Dr. Wang spoke about the global challenges of an aging population. “Healthy aging is receiving increasing attention worldwide,” she noted. “International cooperation is crucial in advancing this field.”
Peking University Sixth Hospital has a long-standing partnership with the WHO as a Collaborating Center. Dr. Wang expressed hope for closer collaboration in the future to amplify China’s contributions on the international stage and share the country’s achievements more widely.
According to the WHO, Dr. Wang has made significant contributions to promoting healthy aging both nationally and globally. She was instrumental in drafting China’s “14th Five-Year Plan for Healthy Aging” and the “National Action Plan to Address Dementia in Old Age (2024-2030).” Collaborating with the WHO, she co-authored global dementia guidelines and developed the iSupport online course.
Dr. Wang has also implemented comprehensive dementia care management approaches, creating care guidelines and technical plans promoted in 19 provinces across China. Her community-based interdisciplinary service model, which integrates professional and family support, is currently deployed by 150 teams in 27 regions. Since 2006, she has advocated for cognitive stimulation therapy in over 20 provinces.
