China saw major health improvements from the 1950s-1970s through programs like the Rural Cooperative Medical System, which established universal healthcare access and helped increase life expectancy. However, economic reforms from the late 1970s decentralized the healthcare system and reduced government support, leading to rising costs, rural-urban disparities, and coverage declines affecting millions of Chinese. Current challenges include inadequate funding, lack of insurance coverage for many, and uneven quality and resources between urban and rural areas.