Summary of Key Findings
The latest data from the National Healthcare Security Administration reveals that from 2023 to 2025, cerebral infarction was the condition resulting in the highest number of hospital admissions, while coronary heart disease had the highest cost per admission. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases remain the leading threats to residents' health; respiratory system diseases accounted for four of the top ten causes of hospitalization. The demand for treatments related to chronic conditions (such as diabetes and hypertension) and pain disorders (such as lumbar disc herniation) is also on the rise. Healthcare reforms, including centralized drug procurement and adjustments to payment methods, have led to a gradual decrease in the proportion of medication costs across these diseases. Additionally, there are significant differences in the cost structure between hospitals of different levels—large hospitals have a lower proportion of medication costs and a higher proportion of consumable expenses.
Detailed Analysis
1. Top 10 Causes of Hospitalization: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases Dominate
The top two causes of hospitalization are cerebral infarction (over 45.04 million admissions) and pulmonary infections, with coronary heart disease ranking third (20.6 million admissions). This indicates that cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the most common reasons for hospitalization in China. Conditions like cerebral infarction (stroke) and coronary heart disease (a precursor to myocardial infarction) are severe and frequently occur in middle-aged and elderly people, which is why they are referred to as the “number one killers.”
2. Most Expensive Diseases: Coronary Heart Disease Is the Costliest per Admission
- Cost per admission: Coronary heart disease has the highest average cost at 10,326 yuan (equivalent to a month’s salary for most people), followed by cerebral infarction and hypertension, all of which exceed 6,000 yuan. The high cost is due to procedures such as stenting and bypass surgery, which are relatively expensive.
- Total costs over three years: Cerebral infarction resulted in total expenses of 380.2 billion yuan (an average of 126.7 billion yuan per year), nearly twice that of coronary heart disease (70.9 billion yuan per year). The reason is the large number of admissions; although the cost per admission is lower, the high volume leads to higher total costs.
3. Chronic and Pain Disorders on the List: Growing Demand for Management and Rehabilitation
Chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and hypertension have made it onto the list, indicating an increase in the number of patients with metabolic diseases requiring long-term hospitalization and treatment. This places significant pressure on the healthcare system due to the need for ongoing medication and regular check-ups.
4. Declining Proportion of Medication Costs: Healthcare Reforms Are Saving Money
The proportion of medication costs for these top ten diseases has been decreasing over the past three years. For example, the cost of medications for pulmonary infections dropped from 33.2% in 2023 to 27.33% in 2025, and for lumbar disc herniation, it decreased even more (from 15.25% to 13.71%). The National Healthcare Security Administration attributes this to centralized drug procurement and changes in payment methods that discourage hospitals from overprescribing medications. For the general public, this means lower medication expenses during hospitalization, reducing concerns about inflated drug prices.
5. Hospital Level Affects Costs: Differences in Expense Structures
Higher-level hospitals (such as tertiary hospitals) have a lower proportion of medication costs and a higher proportion of consumable expenses. For instance, treatments for coronary heart disease at tertiary hospitals often involve expensive consumables like stents and catheters, leading to higher overall costs. In contrast, primary or community hospitals focus more on medication, resulting in a higher proportion of medication costs. This reflects the different roles of hospitals in providing complex surgeries and treating common illnesses.
Key Points for the General Public
- Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as respiratory diseases, are the most likely to lead to hospitalization.
- Coronary heart disease is the most expensive condition per admission.
- Healthcare reforms have helped reduce medication costs.
- However, larger hospitals may incur higher expenses due to the use of more expensive consumables during complex treatments.
- It’s important to focus on preventing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, managing chronic conditions, and reducing hospital visits.