Hong Kong enjoys highly satisfactory health indices compared to the rest of the world.

Department of Health Consultant Dr Tse Lai-yin said major health indices, including the infant mortality rate, maternal mortality ratio and life expectancy at birth, has remained consistently high over recent decades.

The infant mortality rate, which is among the lowest in the world, has dropped from 9.7 per 1,000 registered live births in 1981 to 2.4 in 2002.

The maternal mortality ratio remained low over the past two decades. There was only one maternal death registered in 2002.

Another important index - life expectancy at birth - has been steadily rising for more than three decades.

The index reached 78.6 years among males and 84.5 for females in 2002, compared with approximately 67 among males and 75 for females in the early 1970s.

Dr Tse said the figures reflected substantial improvements in the public health infrastructure, medical care, public education and better hygiene.

"However, cancer, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease remained the top three killers," she said.

Keeping a healthy lifestyle is crucial to maintaining good health, she said, advising people to eat a balanced diet, do regular exercise, refrain from smoking and have adequate rest.

Information, including the major health indices, can be obtained from the department's website and its Central Health Education Unit website, or via its hotline 2833 0111.