York Chow addresses APEC panel meeting
September 17, 2011
Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow started the first leg of his visit to the US in San Francisco on September 16 and attended Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2011’s high-level dialogue panel meeting.
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.
Quoting from the global status report on non-communicable diseases 2010 published by the World Health Organisation, Dr Chow pointed out in 2008, non-communicable diseases accounted for 36 million, or two thirds, of all deaths worldwide, and 44% of the related deaths occurred before the age of 70. In the context of the APEC region, the related deaths per year are expected to rise by a further 41% by 2030.
“Evidence showed that major non-communicable diseases 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 morbidity and mortality. In this regard, our Department of Health launched a strategic document in 2008. It provides an account of overarching principles for the prevention and control of these diseases 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 the primary healthcare system also plays a crucial 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 last year to implement the relevant strategies and actions as well as strengthen co-ordinated actions in providing effective, safe and high-quality healthcare for management of non-communicable diseases.
He said while the Government is assuming a leadership role in response to the 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, he held a bilateral meeting with Malaysia’s Minister of Health Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai to exchange views on health-related issues and subjects of mutual concern.
Dr Chow will proceed to New York.
