Central Health Education Unit

The Central Health Education Unit of the Department of Health continues to play a leading role in formulating the direction and providing health education resources for the promotion of public health. The unit comprises multi-disciplinary professionals to facilitate the provision of knowledge-based, need-driven and effective health promotion.

The unit organised a variety of health promotion activities in 2004, involving all levels of the community. These activities included the 'Healthy Exercise for All Campaign' and the 'Campaign against Dengue Fever'. A number of health campaigns were launched in response to the World Health Day, the World Breastfeeding Week, the World Diabetes Mellitus Day and the World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day.

The unit recognises the importance of research and evaluation in health promotion. In 2004, the unit released the report of a population survey which assessed public awareness of the anti-SARS campaign and the anti-dengue fever campaign. The survey also examined the public's knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding the recommended preventive measures. Another study to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a campaign to promote stair climbing in local public housing estates was completed. Furthermore, focus groups were conducted to identify the facilitating factors and barriers of regular physical activity and healthy eating among people of different age groups in Hong Kong. Results of this study will be used to design campaigns in promoting regular physical activity and healthy eating.

With the establishment of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) in June 2004, a website (http://www.chp.gov.hk) was set up to disseminate health information for the public and health care professionals.

Oral Health Education Unit

Educational and promotional activities were 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 Maternal and Child Health Centres, kindergartens and pre-school centres to more than 150 000 pre-schoolers every year. Information on oral health is accessible to the public through the oral health education homepage, http://www.toothclub.gov.hk, and the 24-hour interactive oral health education telephone hotline.

An annual Love Teeth Campaign was launched in September. The theme was 'Treat Your Gums Right'. A new oral health promotion bus was also launched at the same time. This will replace the old bus to serve a wider range of targets including the disabled.