HKU Public Health

05/06/2026

Join us for an insightful seminar by Professor Eric Finkelstein from Duke University Global Health Institute and Duke-NUS Medical School, titled “The Economics and Psychology of End-of-life Care.”

Professor Finkelstein will explore why overtreatment at the end of life is increasingly common, the key economic and non-economic drivers behind the over-medicalisation of death and dying, and a novel approach to improving care quality for patients with advanced illness, including findings from Hong Kong and other Asian contexts. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a leading expert in health economics.

📅 Date: June 16, 2026 (Tue)
🕐 Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
📍 Venue: Seminar Room 3, G/F, The Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam
✍️Registration: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xTHPJeGB4ZD2u2

# #港大公共衞生

03/06/2026

Inaugural IMACE Conference 2026 🎉

Themed “Health Economics, Health Technology Assessment and Clinical Guideline Development: A Belated Dialogue in Hong Kong”, the conference united top experts from the UK and Hong Kong to explore how these interconnected areas can drive a more sustainable, evidence-based healthcare system. 💡

A key highlight was Professor ManuelEspinoza’s presentation at the “Health Economics” session on “Informing Resource Allocation Decisions in Hong Kong: The Role of Economic Evaluation in Driving Efficiency and Sustainability,” emphasizing the importance of evidence-based reviews and evaluations in shaping Hong Kong’s healthcare system. 📊

Meanwhile, Professor David Bishai participated in the “Health Technology Adoption” panel, engaging in in-depth discussions on “Navigating Healthcare Innovations”.

The event featured expert presentations and panel discussions offered diverse perspectives on advancing sustainability in Hong Kong’s healthcare system.🌟

醫學實證與臨床卓越研究所 Institute for Medical Advancement and Clinical Excellence

01/06/2026

【媒體報導】本港校園流感、新冠等呼吸道病毒不時爆發，反映現行感染控制仍有改進空間。港大醫學院公共衞生學院流行病學講座教授高本恩教授及流行病和生物統計學博士後研究員馮銘慧博士指出，問題並非做得不夠，而可能是部分措施或未對應最新的病毒傳播科學認知。他們建議校園防疫由「做得多」走向「做得更準」，例如將資源由過度倚重物體表面清潔，轉向改善通風及空氣質素，並在較嚴重的高峰期間限時採用快速抗原測試，以減少停課需要，平衡成本與效益。

【In the Media】To enhance infection control in schools, Professor Ben Cowling, Chair Professor of Epidemiology, and Dr Min Fong, Post-doctoral fellow in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at , suggest a strategic shift from “doing more” to “doing it targeted”. Instead of over-emphasis on surface cleaning and symptom screening, resources could be redirected toward improving ventilation and air quality. The targeted use of rapid tests during severe epidemics could also help curb onward transmission in schools and avoid class suspensions.

🌎 原文刊載於《東方日報》Original source at Oriental Daily News: https://shorturl.at/KtGB6 🔗

#港大 #公共衞生 #校園防疫 #感染控制 #通風 #快速測試

31/05/2026

🚭 World No To***co Day 2026 - Protecting Young People from Addiction

The to***co industry continues to evolve its tactics, using synthetic ni****ne to target youth. In Hong Kong, second-hand smoke remains a major health challenge, exposing 1 in 3 children at home and worsening respiratory issues.

👧👦At , our “Quit for Kids” initiative led by Professor Prof. Sophia Chan 陳肇始教授, uses air quality monitoring and saliva testing to help parents quit and raise children’s awareness.

👨‍🎓We are also training future healthcare professionals in evidence-based cessation strategies to close critical support gaps.

🏛️Our research continues to shape policies, including studies that informed Hong Kong’s 2007 smoking ban, and we remain committed to creating a smoke-free Hong Kong for all.

Visual credit: World Health Organization (WHO)

***coDay2026 #港大公共衞生

28/05/2026

✨ From nurse to leader of primary health care reform—30 years of dedication by Professor Prof. Sophia Chan 陳肇始教授 at HKU. Now, as Senior Advisor to the President and Director of HKU’s Primary Health Care Academy—recently named a WHO Collaborating Centre for Health and Nursing Workforce Development in Primary Health Care—she is leading efforts to shift Hong Kong’s focus from hospital-based care to prevention, community support, and stronger primary health services. 🏥➡️🌱

Read more about her inspiring journey: https://shorturl.at/CQGIJ

#香港大學 #港大 #永續發展

26/05/2026

【媒體報導】肥胖症是多種慢性疾病的成因，因此已成為一個重要的公共衞生議題。雖然有研究指出GLP-1受體促效劑（俗稱減重針）能有效幫助減重，亦與較低的心血管疾病及代謝功能障礙相關脂肪性肝病風險有關。然而，停用後體重可能隨即反彈。鑑於減重針的使用越趨普及，未來研究需聚焦於減重針的長期療效和安全性。總括而言，肥胖症患者除了減重針的選項外，也應考慮結合均衡飲食和運動，以達持久體重管理，長遠減少慢性病風險。

【In the Media】Obesity is a cause of many chronic diseases and has become a major public health concern. Studies have shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists (commonly referred to as weight-loss injections) can effectively reduce weight, and its use is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. However, weight rebound after discontinuing treatment is a concern. In view of the increasing trend of its use, future research should focus on the long-term efficacy and safety of weight-loss injections. In conclusion, amongst people with obesity, apart from considering weight-loss injections as a means to reduce weight, they should also consider having a balanced diet and exercise to achieve sustainable weight management and reduce the long term risk of chronic diseases.

🌎 原文刊載於《東方日報》Original source at Oriental Daily News: https://shorturl.at/gUJFD 🔗

#港大 #公共衞生 #減重 #肥胖 #慢性病預防

22/05/2026

🎓✨ Congratulations to the inaugural cohort of the HKU JC Nursing Leadership Development Fellowship! A total of 120 nursing fellows have completed an 18-month comprehensive training focused on leadership, primary health care, and healthcare innovation, demonstrating their commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s healthcare system. 💙 We are so glad to see these future leaders grow, serve, and drive change. 💡

HKU JC Nursing Leadership Development Fellowship

20/05/2026

We are pleased to share that the JUPAS Information Sessions for the programme were successfully held on May 7-8, 2026. 🙌

Participants gained insights into the curriculum 📚, global health and development🌍, and placement experiences 🏥 from our teaching staff, alumna, and current students.

A special thank you to Dr Andrew Park and Mrs Baikong Mamid for leading the consultation session 💙

We look forward to welcoming future students! 👋

19/05/2026

Happy to share that Professor Leo P**n was featured on RTHK 香港電台's "Under the Sun" (太陽底下新鮮事) on 10 & 17 May. He discussed a novel live-attenuated vaccine that blocks coronavirus transmission with a single intranasal dose 🦠💉, stressed the importance of diagnosis and surveillance, and highlighted a targeted, cost-effective approach for early detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants focusing on travel hubs such as Hong Kong and the UAE. He also emphasised strengthening global genomic monitoring for better pandemic preparedness.

Listen to the full version:👉 https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio1/programme/underthesun

節目簡介:介紹重要創科領域發展，由理論談到實踐，由錄音室走進實驗室，探討科技與生活的關係。 製作:林普斯 主持:鄧煥儀、區凱聲、謝穎怡 監製:蕭洛汶

18/05/2026

【媒體報導】當呼吸道病毒不斷變異，疫苗和既往感染如何繼續保護我們？關鍵在於「交叉免疫保護」。香港大學公共衞生學院助理教授梁曉灡教授在《東方日報》專欄中解釋，雖然病毒會不斷演化來逃避抗體，但我們先前的免疫記憶仍能辨認出相似的變異株。即使無法完全阻止感染，這種交叉反應仍能降低重症、住院甚至死亡的風險。梁教授亦提到，世界衞生組織每半年會根據全球監測網絡的數據，從近期感染者偵測新出現的感染病毒株，從而在當中推薦最新的疫苗病毒株。在提供絕對免疫保護的廣譜通用疫苗問世前，這種持續的病毒監測與疫苗株更新，是守護大眾健康的重要防線。

【In the Media】As respiratory viruses constantly mutate, how do vaccines and past infections continue to offer protection? The answer lies in "cross-immunity." Professor Nancy Leung, Assistant Professor at , explains that while viruses evolve to escape our immune system, our "immune memory" can still recognise similar variants. Even if it doesn't stop the infection entirely, this cross-reactivity is crucial in reducing the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation—turning potential severe cases into mild ones. Professor Leung also mentions the meets twice annually to recommend the latest vaccine virus strains based on the global surveillance network of newly emerging infecting viruses identified from recently infected individuals. Until a universal vaccine is developed, this ongoing virus monitoring and vaccine strain update remains our vital line of defence.

🌎 原文刊載於《東方日報》Original source at Oriental Daily News: https://lnkd.in/gJ6TWrPE🔗

#港大公共衞生 #疫苗 #交叉免疫 #全球衞生 #流感 #新冠病毒