Evaluation and optimization of municipal-level health impact assessment policies in China based on the PMC index model

This study adapts the PMC model and validates its applicability in policy analysis for health impact assessments, providing a replicable framework for evaluating health policies in developing countries. China's municipal-level health impact assessment policies have effectively safeguarded public health security and advanced the implementation of the "Health in All Policies" approach. However, numerous challenges persist, including an inadequate legal framework, weak oversight mechanisms, imbalanced policy tools, and insufficient interregional collaboration. Based on this, it is recommended that future efforts strengthen top-level design, address the aforementioned key aspects, and systematically advance the optimization and improvement of health impact assessment policies to better align with the strategic needs of China's health development in the new era, enhance policy effectiveness, and promote the sustained improvement of public health levels.