Speeches

Oration by SFH at
Opening Ceremony of the 13th International Symposium on
Healthy Aging
“Aging , Health ,Happiness”
to be held on 10 March 2018

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Professor Karen LAM (Founding Director of Research Centre of Health,Brain,Hormone & Healthy Aging),
Dr Joseph SK KWAN (Co-Chairman Organizing Committee),
Dr Chi-Wai LEE (Co-Chairman Organizing Committee),
Members of the Programme Committee, distinguished guests,friends, ladies and gentlemen,

 

  1. Good afternoon, It gives me great pleasure to join all of you at the 13th International Symposium on Healthy Aging organised by the Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine,The University of Hong Kong.
  2. Research on aging has become one of the most important areas over the past decade. While Hong Kong is enjoying the highest life expectancy in the world, we are facing the challenges brought about by our aging population. Excluding foreign domestic helpers, it is projected that the proportion of the Hong Kong population aged 65 and above will surge from 16.6% in 2016 to 31.1% in 2036. In 2016, the life expectancy at birth was 81.3 years and 87.3 years for males and females respectively. Survey has shown that about 74% of local people aged 65 or above are suffering from one type of chronic disease or more. In fact, many of these chronic diseases are preventable with effective health protection and promotion on healthy aging.
  3. I am pleased to note that the Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging has been working proactively to promote research on, and public awareness of healthy aging through the organization of the International Symposium on Healthy Aging every year. This is the 13th consecutive year in which the international symposium is held. Leading and renowned experts in areas such as anaesthesiology, cardiology, endocrinology, psychiatry and traditional Chinese medicine will address major issues in healthy aging from the bench to the bedside. More than 500 participants have registered for this year’s symposium, including clinicians, healthcare, biomedical and social scientists as well as postgraduate students. I am confident that this symposium will provide a valuable platform for sharing our research and clinical experience on diseases relating to aging, as we make every endeavour to promote wellness of our aging population from science to service.
  4. May I once again welcome and thank all of you, especially the speakers from local and overseas institutions, who have made the time to contribute to this symposium.
  5. I wish all of you a fruitful and vibrant exchange of knowledge and views, and congratulate the Organizing Committee on its success in bringing this symposium to fruition. Thank you.
12 Apr 2019