Secretary for Health chairs 16th meeting of Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (with photos)
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Professor Lo said, "Like many other countries and regions, Hong Kong is confronted with the threats arising from an ageing population and NCDs. In 2024, over half (53 per cent) of all registered deaths in Hong Kong were caused by NCDs, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 per cent of all premature NCD deaths can be prevented through management of risk factors and adherence to a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, prevention as well as early detection and proper treatment are the most cost-effective long-term strategies in reducing the burden of NCDs."
During the meeting, members examined the progress of the nine local targets in the prevention and control of NCDs. Professor Lo emphasised, "Through the collaborative efforts of various parties, the risk of premature mortality from four major NCDs in Hong Kong has declined continuously, with a reduction of over 25 per cent when compared to 15 years ago, indicating that we have achieved certain results in this regard. Also, the smoking prevalence rate in Hong Kong has reduced significantly from 23.3 per cent in 1982 to a historical low of 9.1 per cent in 2023. However, other risk factors for developing NCDs like obesity and insufficient physical activity are still common. As such, the Chief Executive announced in his 2024 and 2025 Policy Address respectively that the Government would devise health promotion strategies by adopting a life-course framework and weight management action plan, with a view to raising public health awareness and practices through strengthening health education and promotion, cultivating a supportive environment in the community, strengthening health service delivery, and more."
The Department of Health (DH) has set up a task force to devise health promotion strategies by adopting a life-course framework. During the meeting, the task force briefed members on the latest local epidemiological data and scientific evidence, as well as priority areas and necessary health promotion measures for different age groups formulated by making reference to the WHO's latest recommendations and using an evidence-based approach, covering various stages including infancy, entering school, adulthood, employment, as well as pre- and post-pregnancy, and transition to older age. Furthermore, within the context of health and medical innovation development, the strategies also include the use of innovative technologies to enhance public health in a comprehensive, systematic, and efficient manner.
The Government has been actively establishing a prevention-oriented primary healthcare system according to the reform measures set out in the Primary Healthcare Blueprint. The Health Bureau (HHB) launched the three-year Chronic Disease Co-Care (CDCC) Pilot Scheme in 2023. Under a co-payment model, participants can receive hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia screenings in the private healthcare sector for early treatment and long-term health management. According to the 2025 Policy Address, the HHB will gradually develop the CDCC Pilot Scheme into the CDCC Platform to integrate primary healthcare resources and gradually extend it to cover more types of chronic diseases. More health empowerment elements and preventive care programmes will also be added to establish a more systematic and coherent integrated primary healthcare platform in the community.
Members also received a briefing on the new phase of tobacco control measures in Hong Kong to further alleviate the threat posed by tobacco to public health through a multipronged tobacco control strategy, namely, Regulate Supply, Suppress Demand; Ban Promotion, Reduce Attractiveness; Expand No Smoking Areas, Mitigate Harm; and Enhance Education, Support Cessation. Smoking is the most important but preventable risk factor leading to death and disease. Members unanimously agreed with the Government's comprehensive tobacco control strategy, which aims to further reduce the smoking prevalence in Hong Kong and minimise the impact of secondhand smoke on citizens, thereby preventing the heavy price imposed on the whole society and the healthcare system by smoking-induced diseases.
To ensure effective surveillance of NCDs in Hong Kong to support the formulation of public health policies, the DH commenced the fourth territory-wide Population Health Survey (PHS) last month to collect pertinent information on the health status and lifestyles of the local population, with a view to updating and enriching the Government's database on population health. Findings from the PHS will facilitate the review of the various targets under the Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control NCDs in Hong Kong.
Ends/Thursday, October 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:30
Issued at HKT 16:30
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