Press Releases
SFH attends APEC high-level dialogue panel meeting (with photos)
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, started the first leg of
his visit to the United States in San Francisco on September 16 (San
Francisco time) and attended Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2011's
high-level dialogue panel meeting being held in the city.
The panel meeting brought together senior health officials, leading
academics and industry leaders from all over the world to examine public
health challenges in the region and the role of public-private co-operation
to strengthen health systems, reducing the economic burden of disease.
Dr Chow shared with the meeting Hong Kong's efforts and experiences in
tackling the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Quoting from the Global Status Report on NCDs 2010 published by the World
Health Organization, Dr Chow pointed out that in 2008, NCDs accounted for 36
million, or two thirds, of all deaths worldwide, and 44 per cent of NCD-related
deaths occurred before the age of 70. In the context of the APEC region, NCD-related
deaths per year are expected to rise by a further 41 per cent by 2030.
"Evidence showed that major NCDs share a core set of modifiable behavioural
risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking and the
harmful use of alcohol, which are not uncommon among our adult population,"
he said.
"Health promotion and preventive interventions are cost-effective in
reducing NCDs' morbidity and mortality. In this regard, our Department of
Health launched a strategic document entitled 'Promoting Health in Hong
Kong: A Strategic Framework for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable
Diseases' in 2008. It provides an account of overarching principles for the
prevention and control of NCDs by focusing on those behavioural risk factors
so as to increase the positive health and quality of life of our people."
Dr Chow pointed out that the primary health-care system also plays a very
important role in disease prevention and management targeting high-risk
individuals. To develop and promote primary care, the Hong Kong Government
launched the "Primary Care Development Strategy Document" and set up a
Primary Care Office in 2010 to implement the relevant strategies and actions
as well as strengthen co-ordinated actions in providing effective, safe and
high-quality health care for management of NCDs.
Dr Chow stressed that while the Government is assuming a leadership role in
response to the NCD problem, stakeholders in all sectors also need to
collaborate to create a supportive environment to improve health. He called
on individuals to take responsibility for their health, and to make
responsible lifestyle and behavioural choices.
Prior to the panel meeting, Dr Chow held a bilateral meeting with the
Minister of Health of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai, in the morning to
exchange views on health-related issues and subjects of mutual concern.
Dr Chow will proceed to New York tomorrow (September 17, San Francisco
time).
Ends/Saturday, September 17, 2011
Issued at HKT 10:11
NNNN