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To safeguard public health, the Government is implementing a territory-wide This link will open in a new windowCOVID-19 Vaccination Programme free of charge for eligible persons. Under the Programme, COVID-19 vaccination will be available in different locations, including Private Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination Stations(PCVS), Children Community Vaccination Centres(CCVC), Designated general outpatient clinics and Designated Special Outpatient Clinics at public hospitals of Hospital Authority, Designated private clinics, Designated clinics of the Department of Health (DH) and outreach to Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes (RCHs) or other suitable venues. Based on local studies and experience, COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against severe disease and death. Members of the public, who have not completed the initial dose(s) of vaccine, they are recommended to get free vaccination as early as possible for self-protection. High-risk citizens, in particular elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities, should receive the free vaccine booster as soon as possible if they have received their last dose or had COVID-19 infection more than 6 months ago. Early vaccination for all!
This link will open in a new windowSeasonal Influenza is an acute illness of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. In Hong Kong, seasonal influenza is usually more common in periods from January to March/April and from July to August. Influenza viruses mainly spread through droplets when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. To prevent seasonal influenza, members of the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. The infection may also spread by direct contact with the secretions of infected persons. A person getting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and has a higher risk of death, and seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) may reduce in influenza-associated hospitalisation and death. The experts highly recommended priority groups to receive seasonal influenza vaccine and additional COVID-19 booster at the same time as soon as possible, to guard against the possible COVID-19 upsurge and flu season which may appear simultaneously. Please consult family doctors about the details of receiving seasonal influenza vaccination.
This link will open in a new windowNorovirus infection typically causes acute gastroenteritis. It is also a common cause of food poisoning and is usually related to consumption of undercooked shellfish. People can get norovirus infection from having direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus can also cause outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in settings where people are staying close together such as schools, elderly homes, hotels, play facilities and cruise ships. The disease affects people of all age groups and tends to be more common during winter. As a general measure to prevent gastroenteritis, members of the public are advised to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene.
This link will open in a new windowDengue fever is an acute mosquito-borne infection caused by the dengue viruses. This is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. For instance, dengue fever is an endemic illness in many countries in South East Asia. The dengue viruses encompass 4 different serotypes, each of which can lead to dengue fever and severe dengue (also known as 'dengue haemorrhagic fever'). Dengue fever is clinically characterised by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes and rash. Some infected people may not develop apparent symptoms, and some may only have mild symptoms like fever. Travellers who return from affected areas and feel unwell should seek medical advice promptly, and provide travel details to doctor.
Let’s support the “Joyful Fruit Month”. Fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. We recommend at least This link will open in a new window2 servings of fruit a day to adult for improving health and reducing the risks of major diseases. What is one serving of fruit?
Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) is a traditional Chinese festival. Apart from watching dragon boat races, we also eat glutinous rice dumplings, a traditional festive food, to celebrate this major festival. However, most commercially available rice dumplings are high in energy and fat, and so excessive consumption may lead to obesity. To enjoy the festive fun to the full without affecting health, you may want to look at the This link will open in a new windowHealthy tips about eating rice dumplings.
Health indices in Hong Kong rank among the best in the world.
The life expectancies at birth have increased from 67.8 years for males and 75.3 years for females in 1971 to 82.5 years and 88.1 years respectively in 2023.
Hong Kong's population has been aging steadily. In 2023, 21.8% of the population were aged 65 and above (11.8% in 2003, 14.2% in 2013) and the elderly dependency ratio was 321 per 1000 population aged 15 to 64 (162 in 2003, 190 in 2013).
In 2023, the registered crude death rate^* was 7.5 per 1000 population. In the last two decades, the age-specific death rates for all age groups have shown a steady decline. The age-standardised death rate^*, which takes into account population aging, was 2.8 per 1000 standard population^ in 2023.
Infant mortality rate^* was consistently low at 1.6 per 1000 registered live births^*in 2023.
Maternal mortality ratio^* remained low over the last two decades. There was one registered maternal death^* in 2023, giving a maternal mortality ratio^* of 3.0 per 100000 registered live births^*.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remained to be the major causes of death in 2023. Four major NCDs, namely malignant neoplasms (cancer), cardiovascular diseases (which include diseases of heart and cerebrovascular diseases), chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus, together accounted for 50.6% of all registered deaths^* in 2023.
* The figures are based on births and deaths registered under the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance (Cap. 174, Laws of Hong Kong) during the specified period. ^ Based on the world standard population specified in GPE Discussion Paper Series: No.31, EIP/GPE/EBD, World Health Organization, 2001.