HEALTH
that promotes health, provides lifelong holistic care, enhances quality of life and enables full human development.
The community responded enthusiastically to the public consultation exercise. Over 700 written submissions were received from different key stakeholder groups. In the light of the public opinions expressed, the Health and Welfare Bureau is working. closely with the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority to devise detailed implementation plans for specific reform proposals. In line with an incremental approach to change, the more straightforward proposals, which have received general acceptance from the community, will be implemented so that the public can see for themselves quickly the tangible benefits of the reform. For more complicated and contentious proposals, further in-depth studies are being conducted with a view to consulting the public again at a later date.
Health of the Community
Hong Kong's health indices compare favourably with those of most developed countries. In 2001, the infant mortality rate was 2.7 per thousand live births and the average life expectancy at birth was 77 years for males and 82.2 years for females.
Health problems in Hong Kong are mostly associated with lifestyle-related chronic degenerative diseases. The three leading causes of death were cancers, heart diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases. Together, they accounted for approximately 60 per cent of all deaths. These diseases affect mainly elderly people and will continue to dominate the mortality statistics as the population ages.
Infectious Diseases
Hong Kong lists 27 statutory notifiable infectious diseases, including three quarantinable diseases, namely cholera, plague and yellow fever. In 2001, 26 212 cases of notifiable infectious diseases were reported, of which 28 per cent were due to tuberculosis.
Children in Hong Kong are immunised against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, poliomyelitis, tetanus, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella. Owing to high vaccine coverage, diseases such as diphtheria and poliomyelitis have virtually been eradicated and the incidence of other vaccine-preventable infectious diseases among children is relatively low.
At the end of 2001, the cumulative number of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) cases reported had exceeded 1 700 and 500 respectively. Each year about 200 new cases of HIV infection are diagnosed. Sexual transmission remains the most important mode of the spread of the infection, though in recent years there has been rising concern over reports of HIV infection in injection drug users. Since 1990, the Advisory Council on AIDS has been providing leadership in the development of effective AIDS strategy in Hong Kong.
Hospital and Development Programmes
Demand for hospital services remained high in 2001. There were 1 209 751 discharges, 8 508 642 specialist out-patient attendances and 833 355 general out-patient attendances. Accident and emergency departments of major public hospitals had 2 521 359 attendances, or 6 908 per day.
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