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The Action Plan to Strengthen Prevention of Unintentional Injuries in Hong Kong was officially launched by the Department of Health (DH) today (February 9) to improve prevention of unintentional injuries that contribute to the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and enhance quality of life for the community.
Addressing the seminar-cum-launch ceremony of the Action Plan, the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, said that the success of NCD prevention and control efforts hinges on effective promotion of healthy lifestyles, risk avoidance and people's empowerment to make healthier life choices.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified injuries as among the most prominent public health problems in the world. Worldwide, injuries account for 5.8 million death each year, comprising 10 per cent of all deaths. This equates to almost 15 000 injury deaths per day.
In Hong Kong, apart from recognising the importance of an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, alcohol drinking and smoking in causing major NCDs, a lack of safety awareness is another modifiable behavioural risk factor that has been designated as a priority area for action in the prevention and control of NCDs.
Upon review of international evidence, detailed examination of the local situation on injuries, and careful consideration and consultation of different stakeholders, the Working Group on Injuries, established under the Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, has drawn up the Action Plan, which includes five strategic directions, nine recommendations and 16 specific actions. The Action Plan outlines the collaborative work to be taken by government bureaux and departments and relevant parties to strengthen prevention of unintentional injuries in Hong Kong in the coming years.
"This Action Plan is the product of consolidated evidence and good practice, their adaptation to the local context and consultation with multidisciplinary stakeholders," said the Chairman of the Working Group, Mr Patrick Ma.
The five strategic directions are:
i) Support new and strengthen existing health promotion activities on injury prevention;
ii) Generate a comprehensive and effective information system to understand the epidemiology of injuries and provide advice and support on prevention of injuries;
iii) Strengthen partnership and foster engagement of all relevant stakeholders;
iv) Build capacity and capability to prevent injuries; and
v) Ensure a health sector that is responsive to the NCD challenges and to improve the healthcare system.
The seminar was organised by the DH with the participation of stakeholders from government departments, agencies, academia, healthcare professions, schools and non-government organisations. A representative of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific shared with the audience some global and regional perspectives in tackling the injuries problem. The seminar aims to raise health promotion partners' awareness of injury prevention and to call for collaboration in injury prevention and safety promotion.
"Undoubtedly, attitudinal and behavioural changes within the community will take time to realise. But these have to start somewhere, somehow. Now is the time for us to work hand-in-hand to reap the greatest benefits from our actions and to make Hong Kong a healthier and safer place for this and later generations," Professor Chan added.
More information on the Action Plan is available at the following website: www.change4health.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, February 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:26
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