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environment that is conducive to health and empower the public to make healthy behavioural choices at individual, family, organisation and community levels through cross-sectoral collaboration. Moreover, after careful consideration of the available evidence and the local situation, the Working Group on Alcohol and Health. developed the 'Action Plan to Reduce Alcohol-related Harm in Hong Kong', which was formally launched and uploaded onto the DH's website and the CHP website in October 2011. The working groups will regularly monitor the implementation of the respective action plans and report to the steering committee.

The CHP continues to step up surveillance, prevention and control of non- communicable diseases through its 'Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System' and other health surveys.

A Cancer Co-ordinating Committee regularly makes recommendations for the prevention and control of cancer, which claimed more than 13 000 lives in Hong Kong in 2011. The committee assigned the Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening to conduct discussions on the latest developments concerning breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon and colorectal cancer. The relevant recommendations on prevention and screening were available in September 2010.

To reduce the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer, in 2004 the DH, together with other healthcare providers, launched a cervical screening programme to provide screening for women aged between 25 and 64. It also introduced a cervical screening information system to collect and analyse data on cervical screening. In 2011, about 103 000 women registered under the programme underwent cervical screening.

In order to enhance care for chronic disease patients, the HA launched a chronic disease management programme in selected HA general outpatient clinics in 2009. Services provided include risk assessment and management, with DM and HT patients as the major target groups. The HA also introduced six multi-disciplinary services on wound care, fall prevention, support of mental wellness, drug compliance, continence care and handling of chronic respiratory problems.

Health Regulatory Activities

Healthcare Professionals

As at December 31, 2011, the number of healthcare professionals required by law to be registered with their respective boards or councils before they can practise in Hong Kong included 12 818 doctors, 2 215 dentists, 9 230 Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs) (including both listed and registered CMPs), 41 310 nurses (including both registered and enrolled nurses), 4 655 midwives, 2 050 pharmacists, 154 chiropractors, 2 340 physiotherapists, 1 455 occupational therapists, 2954 medical laboratory technologists, 2 046 optometrists, 1 809 radiographers and 319 dental hygienists.

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