Lessons from history: mass mobilization and public health campaigns in China’s anti-schistosomiasis efforts (1950s–1980s)

Background Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that posed a major public health challenge in China, with approximately 11.6 million people infected in 1949. This scoping review systematically examines the mass mobilization practices of China’s anti-schistosomiasis campaign during the 1950s–1960s and traces epidemiological outcomes through the early 1980s. Methods Following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, data were collected from government documents, academic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI), and historical archives. Narrative synthesis and SWOT analysis were employed to evaluate the mass mobilization model. Results Despite 80% rural illiteracy and severe resource constraints, China mobilized millions of peasants through high-level political commitment, multi-sectoral coordination, integration of disease control with agricultural production, and culturally adapted health communication. These efforts contributed to reducing infected cases from 11.6 million to below 1 million by approximately 1982–1983 (>90% decline). However, SWOT analysis revealed inherent limitations: weak grassroots technical capacity, unsustainable campaign-style mechanisms, and formalism that compromised surveillance accuracy, leading to disease resurgence in some areas. Conclusion Political mobilization and community participation can partially compensate for limited medical resources, but effective interventions require balancing mass participation with scientific professionalism and establishing institutionalized mechanisms. These historical lessons remain relevant for contemporary NTD elimination, “One Health” practices, and public health emergency responses, though application requires consideration of contextual differences across countries.