To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of anemia of varying severity among women of reproductive age, we conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional study between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019, including 4 184 547 nonpregnant women aged 18–49 years from all 31 provinces in the mainland of China. Anemia was defined as having hemoglobin concentration < 120.0 g/L and categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. Multivariate logistic models with cluster effect were used to explore the association of anemia and metabolic risk factors. The standardized prevalence of anemia and moderate and worse anemia among women of reproductive age in China was 15.8% (95% CI 15.1%–16.6%) and 6.6% (6.3%–7.0%), respectively. The prevalence of anemia and the proportion of moderate and worse anemia significantly increased with age. We also observed great geographic variations in the prevalence of anemia, with a high likelihood in south, central, and northwest China. Moderate and/or severe anemia was positively associated with overweight and obesity, diabetes, and impaired kidney function. In conclusion, anemia remains a significant challenge for women of reproductive age in China. Geographic variations and metabolic risk factors should be considered in the comprehensive and targeting strategy for anemia reduction.

This study, led by Prof. Bin Du, Li Weng, and Hongda Chen from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, examines the rising burden of sepsis among hospitalized cancer patients in China from 2017 to 2019. Sepsis, a serious condition caused by infection-related inflammation, is a leading cause of death in cancer patients. The study found a 35.3% increase in sepsis incidence, from 4111.20 to 5564.42 per 100,000 admissions. Sepsis-related mortality also rose by 53%, with higher rates in older patients, especially those aged 85 and above. The study highlights the need for focused interventions on infection prevention, early detection, and timely management to reduce sepsis-related mortality, especially in regions with limited healthcare resources.

A research team led by Professors Wu and Cai at the State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, AIRCAS has developed a flexible serpentine electrode probe that enables stable, long-term neural monitoring. This study was published in National Science Review.