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Central Health Education Unit
The Central Health Education Unit of the Department of Health continued
to take a leading role in providing the direction and health education
resources to promote the health of the people. The unit comprises experts
in different disciplines to facilitate the provision of knowledge-based,
needs-driven and effective health promotion.
The unit organised a variety of health promotion activities
in 2003, involving all levels of the local community as well as international
organisations. These activities included the Healthy Exercise for All
Campaign, the World Health Organisation Technical Meeting on Evidence
of Health Promotion Effectiveness, and health campaigns to observe the
World Health Day, World No Tobacco Day and World Breastfeeding Week.
The unit also recognises the importance of research
and evaluation in health promotion. In 2003, the unit conducted population
surveys to assess the public's awareness of the anti-SARS (Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome) campaign and the region-wide anti-dengue fever campaign,
and also their knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding recommended
preventive measures. A randomised controlled trial to examine the efficacy
of exercise prescription in the primary health care settings in Hong Kong
was completed. Another study was also undertaken to examine the feasibility
and efficacy of a campaign to promote stair climbing in public housing
estates in Hong Kong.
Educational and promotional activities are organised throughout the year
by the Oral Health Education Unit of the Department of Health to enhance
the community's general level of oral health awareness. These activities
include outreaching programmes delivered through the 'Oral Health Education
Bus', and target-specific programmes delivered through MCHCs, kindergartens
and pre-school centres to more than 193 000 pre-schoolers every year.
Information on oral health education is accessible to the public through
the Oral Health Education home page, http://www.toothclub.gov.hk,
and the 24-hour interactive Oral Health Education telephone hotline.
For the first time, Hong Kong held a 'Love Teeth Day'
on September 20 to coincide with the annual 'National Love Teeth Day'
organised by the Mainland authorities. Based on the findings of the Oral
Health Survey Report published by the Department of Health in 2002, the
gum health of the community gives cause for concern. Hence, the focus
of the 2003-04 campaign is on the promotion of healthy gums.
Tobacco Control Office
The Tobacco Control Office was set up in 2001 under the Department of
Health to coordinate the Government's tobacco control efforts and to promote
a smoke-free culture in Hong Kong through intersectoral collaboration
and community mobilisation.
Recognising the complexity of tobacco control issues,
the office has adopted a multi-pronged approach to achieve its goals.
One of the priority areas is to assist managers and staff working in statutory
no-smoking areas to comply with and enforce the Smoking (Public Health)
Ordinance. In 2003, the Tobacco Control Office organised 114 workshops
for 2 078 venue management staff of no-smoking areas. In addition, 444
restaurants and 78 shopping malls were visited by the officers of the
Tobacco Control Office and the legal requirements were explained to managers
of these no-smoking areas.
Under the ordinance, tobacco advertisements are prohibited
in printed publications distributed in Hong Kong. The office screened
2 417 issues of printed publications and issued 66 warning letters concerning
tobacco advertisements during the year. The office also organises health
education activities by itself or in collaboration with other organisations
to increase public awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco and second-hand
smoke.
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health
The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Healthis an independent statutory
body, established in 1987 to acquire and disseminate information on the
hazards of using tobacco products, and to advise the Government on matters
related to smoking, passive smoking and health.
During the year, the council conducted publicity and
community involvement campaigns with particular emphasis on discouraging
smoking in public and in workplaces. The council also continued its school
health education programmes. In addition to 139 health talks delivered
to primary and secondary schools, the council arranged a tour of a newly
developed interactive education drama in 95 primary schools. The council
also operates a telephone hotline to receive enquiries, suggestions and
complaints from members of the public on matters related to smoking and
health. |
