Department of Health Advocates for a Healthy Lifestyle to Prevent Death Related to Diabetes

In response to World Diabetes Day, the Department of Health calls on citizens to adopt a healthy lifestyle and put the appeal of "Early Precautions, Detection and Treatment" into effect to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and related complications.

Dr. Edwin Tsui, JP, the Controller of Centre for Health Protection. Photo source: Reference image from Information Services Department, HK

Dr. Edwin Tsui, JP, the Controller of Centre for Health Protection, pointed out that diabetes is a common chronic disease. If not properly controlled, it can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. One in every nine adults worldwide has diabetes. The 2020-2022 Population Health Survey conducted by the Department of Health shows that 8.5% of the non-hospitalized population aged 15 to 84 have diabetes or elevated blood sugar, which is similar to the figure of the 2014-2015 survey. The survey also shows that about one in every three patients is not aware of their own illness. According to the temporary survey data in 2024, 442 registered deaths are related to diabetes.

Diagrammatic photo, designed image

In 2023, Hong Kong released the three-year "Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme", funding Hong Kong residents aged 45 or above without a diagnosis of hypertension or diabetes to be paired with family doctors and receive the screening of diabetes and hypertension in the private healthcare market. Up to 15 October this year, more than 160,000 citizens have participated in the scheme, about 60% of whom have completed the screening. Among the participants, about 40% have entered the stage of accepting treatment, including those diagnosed with hyperglycemia, or those with diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia.

NEW YORK (AP) — Honda is recalling more than 256,600 of its Accord Hybrid vehicles across the U.S., due to a software error that may result in sudden loss of drive power.

According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall covers certain Honda Accord Hybrids between the 2023 and 2025 model years. The error may cause part of these cars' internal software to reset while driving, increasing the risk of crash or injury.

To address the error, Honda dealers will reprogram the software free of charge. The NHTSA's recall report noted that owner notification letters are scheduled to go out on Jan. 5 — but a spokesperson for American Honda confirmed Tuesday that the improved software is available now.

Drivers can see if their specific vehicle is included in this recall and find more information using the NHTSA site or Honda’s recall lookup. Impacted Accord Hybrid owners may also contact Honda’s customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Honda estimates that 0.3% of the 256,603 Accord Hybrids it's recalling have the issue, which impacts the vehicles’ integrated control module central processing unit, the NHSTA's recall report notes. In a statement, American Honda said that “improper software programming by a supplier" caused the error.

The automaker first received a report of the issue in March 2024, per the recall report, and investigated the issue over the last year. As of Nov. 6, Honda had received 832 warranty claims — but no reports of related injuries between mid-December of 2022 and the end of October this year.

FILE - A Honda logo is seen on a Honda accord vehicle at a parking lot in Arlington Heights, Ill., May 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, file)