World Heart Day: Department of Health Urges Healthy Lifestyles to Combat Cardiovascular Diseases

DH urges public to adopt healthy lifestyles to achieve physical fitness and protect heart in support of World Heart Day

On World Heart Day today (September 29), the Department of Health (DH) urged the public to adopt healthy lifestyles, maintain a balanced diet, refrain from smoking and drinking, and actively participate in the Primary Healthcare Co-care Network (Co-care Network) and the Life Course Preventive Care Plan, both of which were launched by the Government to holistically safeguard health and prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's "No. 1 killer".

Department of Health, Photo source: reference image

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CVDs (including heart disease and stroke) are the leading cause of death globally, claiming 17.9 million lives each year. In Hong Kong, CVDs are also among the leading causes of death. In 2025, 10119 registered deaths (provisional figures) were attributed to CVDs, accounting for around one-fifth (19.6 per cent) of all deaths. The majority of these deaths (65.2 per cent) were associated with heart disease.

"Although 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is a cliché, it is absolutely the primary strategy for preventing non-communicable diseases, including CVDs. Eighty per cent of CVDs are preventable through healthy eating, being physically active, and refraining from smoking and drinking, among other measures. Therefore, the Government has consistently educated the public through various channels, and has fostered a supportive environment through multidisciplinary and community-wide collaborations to encourage citizens to actively engage in physical activities. In March 2026, the DH announced the Action Plan on Weight Management. In addition to raising public awareness of weight management and a healthy diet, the action plan also encourages everyone to use 10 000 steps a day as a target to cultivate the habit of having regular physical activity. Those who are yet to join may take part in the 10 000 Steps a Day Walking Challenge via the e+Life platform of the eHealth mobile app, and explore thematic walking routes with family and friends, thereby incorporating physical activity into daily life," said the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Edwin Tsui.

According to the DH's Health Behaviour Survey 2023, 14.8 per cent of adults performed an insufficient level of physical activities, and did not meet the WHO's recommended levels of aerobic physical activity (i.e. to engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of physical activities of moderate intensity every week/at least 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity/an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity). Moreover, 33.9 per cent of adults sit or recline for over eight hours every day, excluding the time spent sleeping. Research reveals that sedentary behaviour or prolonged sitting increases the risks associated with CVDs. Taking a break from prolonged sitting, even by simple ways such as a short walk or standing up for a while, squatting or standing on one's tiptoes, can help reduce relevant health risks.

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In addition, reducing salt intake can effectively lower the risk of developing raised blood pressure and CVDs. According to the DH's Population Health Survey 2020-22, 83.9 per cent of people in Hong Kong aged 18 to 84 had an average of 8.4 grams of salt intake every day, above the WHO-recommended limit of less than 5g (equivalent to about one teaspoon) per day. Meanwhile, the prevalence of raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and raised total blood cholesterol were 30 per cent, 8.6 per cent and 52.7 per cent respectively. As well, over half of Hong Kong's adult population is overweight or obese. Dr Tsui urged the public to adopt a balanced diet with at least five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, reduce fat and sugar intake, avoid smoking, and refrain from alcohol consumption.

The Government announced the launch of the Co-care Network in March 2026. Guided by the principle of "whole-person health", the Co-care Network introduces evidence-based, life-course-spanning preventive measures alongside a structured framework for regular screening and management of high-risk diseases. To achieve "early prevention, early detection and early treatment", the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme (CDCC Scheme) under the Co-care Network will continue to subsidise Hong Kong residents aged 45 or above with no known medical history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension. By pairing participants with a family doctor of their choice, the CDCC Scheme provides comprehensive CVD risk factor screening and management -including the "three highs" (i.e. high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol) - in the private healthcare sector on a co-payment basis. The CDCC Scheme has demonstrated positive outcomes in both health and cost-effectiveness. Preliminary analysis by a local university research team indicates an overall improvement in participants' health conditions. Notably, after 12 months in the programme, the average systolic blood pressure among hypertensive patients decreased from 150 mmHg to 135 mmHg; the average glycated haemoglobin level of patients with diabetes mellitus decreased from 7.8 per cent to 6.7 per cent; and the average Body Mass Index of patients with prediabetes also decreased by 0.52 kg/m². Members of the public can visit the dedicated website for further details.

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Furthermore, the Primary Healthcare Commission promotes the Life Course Preventive Care Plan through District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses and family doctors. This initiative aims to enhance public awareness of disease prevention, foster healthy lifestyle habits, and assist citizens in formulating personalised health strategies for different life stages.

The theme of World Heart Day 2026 is "Don't Miss a Beat". To support this theme, the DH will continue to promote healthy living among the public and collaborate with community partners to foster healthy living environments. For more information, please visit the Change for Health website of the DH.

Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information and appeals to public and visitors to plan cross-boundary trips early for Mainland's National Day Golden Week

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (September 29) on the traffic and public transport (PT) arrangements for the upcoming National Day Golden Week of the Mainland (October 1 to 7).

As the passenger and vehicle traffic at land boundary control points (BCPs) will significantly increase during the Mainland's National Day Golden Week, especially amid the expected inbound peak on Sunday (October 4) afternoon and evening when waiting times for PT services will be longer, the Transport Department (TD) urged cross-boundary travellers to plan their trips early and properly, allow sufficient travelling time, avoid travelling during peak hours as far as possible and heed the latest broadcasts at major stations and BCPs.

The Transport Department, Photo source: reference image

Enhancing services for travel convenience

The TD has been steering local and cross-boundary public transport operators (PTOs) to strengthen their services during the Mainland's National Day Golden Week for the convenience of residents and visitors, including:

• The MTR Corporation Limited will enhance the train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau Stations at different times from September 30 to October 7 based on passenger demand;

• The train service of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link between Hong Kong West Kowloon and designated Mainland stations will operate additional trips (see details at the 12306.cn website);

• The frequencies of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) will be increased to an average of about one minute and two minutes respectively during peak hours;

• The quota of cross-boundary coaches will be increased to strengthen services; and

• The frequency of local franchised bus B routes connecting various land BCPs will also be increased beyond the normal weekend level, and the operators concerned will reserve sufficient vehicles and manpower to meet passenger demand.

MTR, Photo source: reference image

Travel during non-peak hours

It is anticipated that the waiting time for PT services, including the Gold Bus and the franchised bus B routes, may be longer. Travellers should avoid travelling during peak hours as far as possible. Passengers are advised to maintain order while queuing and heed the advice of on-site Police and staff of PTOs concerned. Passengers planning to take cross-boundary coaches are also advised to reserve their coach tickets in advance.

HZMB users travelling to Zhuhai should note that the temporary link bridge connecting the HZMB Zhuhai Port and Qinglu South Road has been closed to all traffic, and the traffic at Zhuhai Port and neighbouring roads has become very busy during holiday peak periods. They should use PT services as far as possible, plan their trips early, allow sufficient travelling time and remain patient while waiting.

As for motorists of cross-boundary private cars, they are advised that special traffic arrangements may be implemented at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Port, subject to actual traffic conditions, during the Mainland's National Day Golden Week to secure smooth access for PT vehicles to the above BCPs. Cross-boundary private cars may experience longer waiting times for crossing the BCPs during peak periods. Motorists should pay extra attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the roads. In case of traffic congestion, they should remain patient and follow the instructions of on-site Police.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Photo source: reference image

Information dissemination

To plan their journeys ahead, members of the public can make use of the TD's HKeMobility mobile app or website (hkemobility.gov.hk/en/traffic-information/live/cctv) to access snapshots of traffic conditions of major connecting roads to BCPs and the inbound and outbound vehicle plazas of the HZMB Hong Kong Port. They can also check real-time traffic conditions of the vehicle clearance plaza of the Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts "hzmbzhport" or "zhuhaifabu" (traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/) (Chinese only). Moreover, motorists are reminded to always comply with traffic control measures implemented by the Zhuhai authority when driving on the HZMB Main Bridge. Vehicles must not occupy the emergency lane unless instructed by the Zhuhai authority.

The public and visitors may visit the one-stop information platform on immigration clearance "Easy Boundary" (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/bwt/status.html?type=outbound) of the Security Bureau or the HKeMobility for the latest updates on various land BCPs more conveniently. The TD will provide information on the services and waiting times of the Gold Bus, the Yellow Bus and the MTR. Members of the public are advised to check the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts, the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) and HKeMobility. PTOs and relevant departments of BCPs will also disseminate the latest information to passengers through public announcement systems and other channels at major stations and BCPs.

The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre operates round the clock to closely monitor the traffic conditions and PT services across various districts, BCPs and major stations, and to implement contingency measures when necessary to meet service demand.

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.

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