【明報專訊】A person's "health" refers to his or her physical, mental and social well-being. The World Health Organisation defines "health" as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".
1?Health awareness × Exercise × Balanced Diet
Hong Kong people are under a lot of work-related stress and devote little time to exercise. The WHO recommends 2.5 hours of physical exercise a week. However, in a telephone survey of 520 people it conducted in October and November 2016, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups found nearly half of the secondary students interviewed did not do any sport as an extra-curricular activity. Almost fifty percent of them said they did not have time to do so.
2?Public health × Food safety
The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety regularly inspects foods available in markets for toxic substances. Furthermore, the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (《食物內除害劑殘餘規例》) came into force in 2014. It lists standards relating to foods produced domestically and abroad and is designed to safeguard public health and bring Hong Kong standards in line with international ones.
Pre-packaged foods sold in Hong Kong are required to carry nutrition labels. In case of a breach of the regulation, the Centre for Food Safety issues the food provider in question with a warning letter and demands that it take remedial action within 60 days. The food provider will be prosecuted if it fails to act accordingly.
3?Mental health × Stress of life
City-dwellers are under immense work-related or financial stress. According to the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong, a slight amount of stress kick-starts a series of biological reactions, which may energise people, increase their efficiency and help them tackle challenges. But excessive and constant pressure may lead to an emotional breakdown and early signs of mental problems. Experts say stress may lead to mental diseases such as depression and anxiety disorders, and any kind of emotional distress may lead to suicidal thoughts. Untreated, young people's mental problems may have long-term impact. Depression one experiences in puberty may continue to one's adulthood or recurs in it.
4?Healthy City × Environment of communities
Individual health has everything to do with the hygienic, social, economic and political environment of the community. In 1987, the WHO launched the "Healthy City" initiative. Rather than a benchmark for measuring hygiene levels, "Healthy City" is a concept applicable to any region in the world with an emphasis on joint participation, connection, commitment and equality. Through all sectors' participation and collaboration, it seeks to strengthen connections in communities, improve the communal environment and make healthy and positive lifestyles possible.
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