20
refrigerators, washing machines and, increasingly, air
conditioners.
40.
One telling measure of social conditions is the
average life
life expectancy of the population. In Hong Kong
this is 73 years for men and 79 for women, higher than the
levels in many advanced countries, including the US and
UK.
The incidence of the major epidemic diseases is low
and high nutritional and hygenic standards have virtually
eliminated deficiency diseases. Infant mortality, at 7.5
thousand live births, is lower than
than in the US Or UK.
The leading causes of death today are cancer, heart disease
and strokes, an indication that Hong Kong has taken on the
characteristics of more affluent societies.
per
41.
Hong Kong has a heavily subsidicod publie Health
Service. The hospital system 13 now being re-organised.
All publicly funded hospitals will be brought under the
control of a statutory Hospital Authority. There are now
just under 27,000 beds 11 all hospitals, 4.5 per thousand
A major hospital building programme
population.
underway
is
in
to reduce overcrowding and improve facilities
the growing population centres. A new 1,600 bed hospital
will open this year in the new town of Tuen Mun. Three
other large hospitals are also under
construction, and
extensions are being built to three of the largest existing
hospitals. This programme will increase the provision of
hospital beds to 6 per thousand population.
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