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LCQ1: Prevention of chronic diseases
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    Following is a question by the Dr Hon Philip Wong and a reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (July 4):

Question:

     Will the Government inform this Council:

(a) in the past five years, of the median incidence age of psychiatric illnesses as well as the respective median and average ages of incidence and ages at death of patients of malignant neoplasm diseases and various chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, nephrosis and liver disease); and how such figures compare with the relevant figures 10 years ago;

(b) whether it has examined the relationship between the trend of persons suffering from chronic diseases at a younger age and the environment as well as people's living habits; if it has, of the results; if it has not, how the Government assesses the causes leading to such a phenomenon; and

(c) whether it has assessed how the above phenomenon has affected Hong Kong's productivity and medical expenditure, and what measures the Government have taken to ameliorate the situation?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) According to the death register book, there is an upward trend in the median and mean ages of death for patients of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, malignant neoplasm diseases, kidney disease, liver disease and stroke between 2001 and 2005 as compared with the relevant figures ten years ago.  Relevant figures are listed in Annex 1.  We do not maintain statistics on the median and mean ages of incidence for patients suffering from these diseases, nor the data on the median incidence ages of psychiatric illnesses.

(b) To gain a better understanding of the health profile of the population in Hong Kong, the Department of Health (DH) has, through different channels, collated data on chronic diseases, including mortality rate, incidence rate, age profile and risk factors of the diseases.

     As it is shown in the studies by the public health and medical sectors, chronic diseases are closely associated with behavioural risk factors such as smoking, alcoholism, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and obesity.  While there is no downward trend in the ages at death of patients suffering from common chronic diseases in Hong Kong, some behavioural risk factors are commonly found in younger age groups according to the research conducted by the DH.  The relevant figures are detailed in Annex 2.

     Besides, according to the statistics collected among students of Primary One to Form Seven in day schools by the Student Health Service of the DH, there has been an upward trend of obesity among school children over the past ten years.  Detailed statistics are set out in Annex 3.  Since obesity would lead to other complications and chronic illnesses, the Student Health Service has started to test the sugar level in urine for obese school children since the 2004-05 school year.  School children who are tested positive will be referred to the paediatrics under the Hospital Authority (HA) for thorough follow-up and checking to ascertain whether they have diabetes mellitus.  Statistics show that there is no upward trend in diabetes mellitus among primary and secondary school students.  In addition, the detection rate of hypertension has also remained at a low level over the past ten years.

(c) At present, there is no concrete evidence indicating the trend of persons suffering from chronic diseases at a younger age in Hong Kong.  However, it is our policy to identify the trend in chronic diseases at an early stage and to take various preventive measures to enable early detection and treatment.  At this stage, we have not conducted any comprehensive quantitative study to assess how the trend of persons suffering from chronic diseases at a younger age has affected Hong Kong's productivity and medical expenditure.  The Government plans to conduct studies on individual chronic diseases with a rising morbidity rate, e.g. diabetes mellitus, so as to assess the burden that these diseases would impose on Hong Kong's overall economy and the pressure to be added to the public health care system by the provision of relevant treatment, with the ultimate objective of achieving more effective prevention of diseases and reduction of their morbidity rates.
To strengthen the prevention of chronic diseases, the DH has proactively launched a number of major territory-wide health promotion and publicity campaigns in recent years, which are in line with the "Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" advocated by the World Health Organization.  The aim is to create an environment that facilitates and encourages people to develop healthy eating habits and do an adequate amount of exercises.

     On the promotion of healthy diet, the DH has rolled out the "EatSmart@school.hk" Campaign in collaboration with the Hong Kong Association for the Study of Obesity, Hong Kong College of Cardiology, Hong Kong Nutrition Association and relevant professional bodies in all primary schools in Hong Kong in the 2006-07 school year, so as to create a living environment that encourages and supports healthy diet among the young generation.

     As for the promotion of exercises, the DH has joined forces with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to organise the "Healthy Exercise for All Campaign" since 2000 to encourage the public in choosing and doing exercises commensurate with their abilities and interests.  Since 2003, the DH has also run some programmes in public housing estates, LCSD facilities and other buildings to drive home the message of "Stair Climbing to Health" and encourage the public to make use of the staircase frequently.  Furthermore, it has worked with the MTR Corporation in 2006 to encourage passengers to use the stairs in all MTR stations.

     Besides, the DH has strived to minimise the harmful effects of second-hand smoke through tobacco control.  To this end, the DH will continue to promote healthy eating, a smoke-free culture and a healthy lifestyle among the public through announcement of public interest (API) on radio and television, leaflets, posters, websites and the 24-hour Health Education Hotline.

     In the long run, it is essential for us to enhance our primary health care services so as to improve public health, achieve more effective disease prevention and arrest the trend of persons suffering from chronic diseases at younger age.  Effective delivery of primary health care services can improve public health.  It can also serve to relieve the pressure on the hospital system.  By highlighting the availability of primary health care services, we can raise public awareness of the importance of maintaining their health, which is considered the most effective way of preventing and minimising the incidence of diseases, in particular chronic diseases.

Ends/Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:54

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