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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
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