The Department of Community Health Research was set up by Professor Wu Ying-Kai in 1986. Professor Yao Chong-Hua was the first Director. This is the first department to focus on scientific research of cardiovascular disease prevention and community-based practice.

The Department conducted community-based hypertension prevention through education, unhealthy behavior intervention and blood pressure measurement (at Residents’ Committees) in the 1980s, took part in the World Bank Loan Health Project VII, and was in charge of risk factor intervention in cardiovascular disease in Beijing. From those beginnings, with the aim of health promotion, the Department evaluated chronic disease prevention and control strategies, methods and evaluation of risk factor interventions and methods for patient education. Two community health service stations were established in 2000 by the Department with the aim of providing community health services. The Department began to focus on disease management through the community health services and developing electronic information systems.

The team at the Department has completed China’s National Key Technology Research and Development Program during the Eighth Five-Year Plan, Health Promotion Program, Evaluation of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Strategy from the Ministry of Health, China, High Technology Laboratory Project, and many other projects of prevention and control for the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau. After 17 years, the Department has gained a wealth of experience in health education, intervention of risk factors and disease management.

At present, the Department’s focus is on cardiovascular disease prevention and control, including disease management and follow-up for patients at tertiary hospitals, community-based intervention projects and evaluation of strategies. There is also a focus on public welfare projects concerned with cardiovascular disease and developing technology, tools and information systems.