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HEALTH

remodelling the Tang Shiu Kin Hospital into an ambulatory care centre, which is due for completion in late 2004.

Projects in the hospital development programme progressed satisfactorily. Phase I redevelopment of both the Caritas Medical Centre and the Kowloon Hospital was completed. Several other hospitals were undergoing redevelopment or major refurbishment/remodelling.

Health Promotion

Health Promotion Programmes

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.

Oral Health Education Unit

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.

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