DH urges public to adopt healthy lifestyle, measure blood pressure and undergo screening regularly in support of World Hypertension Day
In support of World Hypertension Day, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 17) reminded members of the public to pay closer attention to their blood pressure levels, measure their blood pressure regularly , adopt a healthy lifestyle, and participate in the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme (CDCC Scheme) implemented by the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC) to achieve "early prevention, early identification and early treatment" of hypertension through screening and personalised management, effectively reducing the risk of developing hypertension or serious health problems arising from hypertension.
The aim of World Hypertension Day is to increase worldwide awareness of high blood pressure and accurate blood pressure measurements. The theme this year is "Controlling Hypertension Together!". Hypertension is often known as a 'silent killer'. Since patients may not experience symptoms or severe discomfort, many people fail to detect it in a timely manner. According to the DH's Population Health Survey (PHS) 2020-22, 29.5 per cent of non-institutionalised persons aged 15 to 84 in Hong Kong had hypertension, with more than 40 per cent unaware of having hypertension until they underwent the PHS health examination arranged by the DH.
If left unchecked, uncontrolled, or not properly treated, hypertension can lead to serious health problems, such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and even death. In 2024, there were 1 217 registered deaths in Hong Kong attributed to hypertensive heart disease, 45 deaths due to hypertensive renal disease, and 28 deaths due to hypertensive heart and renal disease. This situation cannot be overlooked. Members of the public are advised to measure their blood pressure regularly for early detection and treatment.
What is hypertension
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Adults are considered to have hypertension if their systolic blood pressure is persistently higher than or equal to 140 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and/or their diastolic blood pressure is persistently higher than or equal to 90 mmHg. According to the Hong Kong Reference Framework for Hypertension Care for Adults in Primary Care Settings issued by the PHCC, adults aged 18 or above should measure their blood pressure at least once every two years. Depending on their blood pressure levels, age, overall cardiovascular risk profile and doctor's recommendation, some individuals may require more frequent blood pressure monitoring.
How to prevent hypertension
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Adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential for preventing and controlling hypertension. Reducing salt intake is widely recognised as one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. According to the DH’s PHS 2020-22, as many as 83.9 per cent of persons aged 15 to 84 had daily salt intake above the World Health Organization-recommended daily limit of less than 5 grams of salt. Furthermore, the public are reminded to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, and to stay away from secondhand smoke as far as possible.
Regarding physical activity, adults should engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of physical activities of moderate intensity every week. Regular exercise can bring about numerous health benefits, including lowering blood pressure. The DH has regularised the walking challenge under the "10 000 Steps a Day" Campaign on the e+Life platform in the "eHealth" mobile app. The public is encouraged to explore different featured routes with family and friends, and incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.
The PHCC is actively promoting the Life Course Preventive Care Plan through District Health Centres/Expresses and family doctors, thereby enhancing public awareness of disease prevention, establishing a healthy lifestyle, and assisting citizens in developing a personalised preventive care plan across different life stages. Besides, the CDCC Scheme subsidises Hong Kong residents aged 45 and above with no known medical history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension to undergo comprehensive screening of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including the "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol) and to receive personalised management on a co-payment basis in the private healthcare sector through pairing with a family doctor of their choice, thereby achieving the goal of "early prevention, early identification and early treatment". The Scheme has performed well in terms of health benefits and cost-effectiveness. The preliminary analysis conducted by a local university research team indicates overall improvements in participants' health conditions. After participating in the Scheme for 12 months, the average systolic blood pressure of hypertension patients decreased from 150 mmHg to 135 mmHg. For more details, please visit the dedicated website of the CDCC Scheme.
The DH will continue to strengthen public awareness campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles for the prevention and control of hypertension, and will collaborate with various stakeholders to foster a healthy living environment.
The Department of Health (DH), Photo source: reference image
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Eastern |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
9.1% |
1.4 |
Islands |
Tung Chung |
2.0% |
1.0 |
Kowloon City |
Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan |
6.7% |
1.5 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
2.2% |
2.0 |
Tai Po West |
15.5% |
1.0 |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun South |
9.1% |
1.4 |
District |
Survey Area |
May 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Central and Western |
Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui |
16.8% |
1.3 |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
15.4% |
1.0 |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
18.9% |
1.4 |
Southern |
Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau |
20.8% |
1.7 |
Sha Tin |
Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan |
18.3% |
1.4 |
Tsuen Wan |
Tsuen Wan Town |
6.9% |
2.3 |
The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.
For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.
Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:
tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;
check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;
change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.
Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
