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Seven Taiwanese Hospitals Set New Benchmark as International Gold-Certified Tobacco-Free Hospitals

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:04:41 GMT

Taiwan Network Achieves 45 Gold Certifications in Just 14 Years
Established in 1999, GNTH now includes more than 1,400 healthcare institutions across 14 countries. Taiwan joined GNTH in 2011 and established the first GNTH network in the Asia-Pacific region. As of this year, 218 Taiwanese hospitals have joined the network, with 45 hospitals having achieved Gold Certification to date.
The seven hospitals awarded in 2025 are: Changhua Christian Hospital; MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui Branch; National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch; Taoyuan General Hospital, MOHW; Taipei Medical University Hospital; Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Yuanshan Branch; and E-DA Hospital.

Distinctive Strengths Across Seven Gold-Certified Hospitals
Each year, the HPA encourages hospitals to seek Gold Certification in accordance with GNTH’s 8 Global Standards, which include: leadership and commitment, communication, education and training, identification and treatment of tobacco dependence, a tobacco-free environment, a healthy workplace, community engagement, and monitoring and evaluation. The seven hospitals achieving Gold Certification in 2025 demonstrated diverse and innovative approaches in creating tobacco-free environments and delivering smoking cessation services.
Changhua Christian Hospital featured leadership involvement, with its superintendent personally recording tobacco and betel nut prevention broadcasts, while expanding outreach through podcasts, short medical videos, and social media platforms such as LINE and Facebook. The hospital also established a cross-departmental smoking cessation case management system to enhance teamwork and resource efficiency. MacKay Memorial Hospital, Tamsui Branch regularly hosts a “MacKay Smoking Cessation Week” and conducts community-based tobacco harm prevention activities. The hospital strengthened its smoking cessation case management system, installed no-smoking alert bells at smoking hotspots to ensure a smoke-free environment. Furthermore, the hospital introduced incentive programs and ward referral competitions to encourage staff participation. National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch actively integrates smoking cessation services into both outpatient and inpatient care, emphasizes shared decision-making between physicians and patients, and extends outreach to schools and communities to raise awareness of emerging tobacco products.

As a gateway hospital serving international travelers, Taoyuan General Hospital, MOHW combines chronic disease case management expertise with targeted support for vulnerable populations, reflecting the healthcare system’s commitment to health equity. Taipei Medical University Hospital adopted a “four-all” service model—covering the entire care process, all departments, the whole hospital, and the surrounding community—supported by real-time reporting and LINE group coordination. The hospital achieved a 100% smoking cessation intervention rate among patients with acute coronary syndrome. Taipei Veterans General Hospital Yuanshan Branch implemented the “QUIT SMART” strategy, integrating systematic, cross-team collaboration and smart tracking to build a tobacco-free community and a healthy workplace. E-DA Hospital enhanced tobacco-free enforcement through digitized smoking cessation workflows and case management systems, and developed a patented smoke-detection device to strengthen indoor tobacco control measures.

International Exchange of Tobacco-Free Hospitals Enhances Taiwan’s Global Visibility
GNTH held the Global Network Conference and Gold Forum on June 26, 2025. The forum adopted a World Café format to facilitate experience sharing among Gold-Certified hospitals worldwide. Taiwan was represented by Dr. Lin Chi-Wei, GNTH Vice Chair and Board Member. The seven Gold-Certified hospitals from Taiwan were also invited to attend the certification ceremony and share their practical experience in promoting tobacco-free hospitals, demonstrating Taiwan’s concrete achievements and setting a new benchmark for tobacco-free healthcare.

Extended Reading:
[List of 218 GNTH Member Hospitals in Taiwan]
https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=589&pid=16137
[Tobacco-Free Hospitals]
https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/List.aspx?nodeid=182

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Eight Years of Rare Disease Care: Collaborative Efforts to Safeguard and Sustain Compassionate Care

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:12:48 GMT

Since 2017, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) has implemented the "Rare Disease Care Program," integrating multidisciplinary care teams to extend services from clinical settings into patients' daily lives while linking families to long-term care and social welfare resources. The program currently serves over 8,500 rare disease families, effectively alleviating their physical, psychological, and financial burdens. Recognizing that rare disease care is a long-term endeavor, the HPA urges the general public to join in establishing a comprehensive nationwide care network.

Rare Disease Care Achievement Conference Demonstrates Commitment to Multidisciplinary Care
To ensure that rare disease patients and their families receive comprehensive medical care and social support, the HPA has implemented the "Rare Disease Care Program" for eight consecutive years. On November 25, the HPA convened the "Rare Disease Care Achievement Conference" under the theme "Collaborative Efforts to Safeguard Rare Lives, United in Sustaining Compassionate Care." The conference brought together central and local health authorities, 14 rare disease care teams, and civic organizations to demonstrate the government's achievements and commitment to advancing multidisciplinary care services.

Implementing Care Networks to Support Rare Disease Families
Since December 2017, the HPA has partnered with private medical institutions, allocating over NT$200 million to date for the "Rare Disease Care Program." The program has established accessible, multidisciplinary rare disease care teams that, upon obtaining informed consent from patients or their legal representatives, provide integrated services centered on care consultation, disease impact counseling, psychological support, and reproductive health counseling. The teams also facilitate linkages to National Health Insurance home-based medical care, long-term care services, social welfare programs, and patient support groups, ensuring that care services extend into patients' daily lives beyond the hospital system, thereby significantly reducing their physical, psychological, and financial burdens.
HPA Director General Ching-Fen Shen stated that rare disease care extends beyond medical treatment; it represents a prolonged journey requiring societal support. Through the establishment of a nationwide care network, the government and community can work together to provide sustained support to every rare disease family.

Diverse and Multidisciplinary Services to Enhance Quality of Life
Currently, 13 hospitals across northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan participate in the program, operating 14 rare disease care teams. Each team comprises physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, dietitians, and pharmacists, who develop diverse service models tailored to regional characteristics and patient needs. These models include multidisciplinary care services, intra-hospital interdepartmental integration, community resource coordination, and inter-institutional care collaboration, ensuring that patients throughout Taiwan, including those in remote areas and outlying islands receive appropriate care.
In northern Taiwan, for example, a pediatric patient with mitochondrial defect who experienced aphasia, impaired ambulation and upper extremity mobility received psychological support, rehabilitation assistance, and coordinated access to special education resource. Over time, the patient progressively regained speech and muscular strength, eventually enrolling in a special education program and commencing formal education. In central Taiwan, two patients with spinocerebellar ataxia from a rare disease family, lacking a primary caregiver at home, experienced frequent falls and related injuries, leading to physical and psychological distress. The care team coordinated community resources and arranged placement in a residential care facility with financial assistance from civic organizations, enabling the patients to receive long-term institutional care and improving their quality of life.
In southern Taiwan, care teams apply art and music therapy to help patients alleviate stress and promote holistic well-being. They collaborate with civic organizations to fulfill the aspirations of pediatric patients with rare diseases. Through inter-institutional cooperation and partnership with community pharmacies, care services are extended to outlying islands and remote areas. In eastern Taiwan, care teams utilize telehealth support systems to coordinate with local medical institutions and physicians, delivering health consultations and care services through bidirectional videoconferencing.
Today, all 14 teams shared their clinical experiences under the theme "transitioning from medical care into daily living, from clinical expertise to compassionate service." These ongoing efforts reflect steady progress toward person-centered, family-centered, team-based, continuous, and community-oriented care, reinforcing a comprehensive approach to supporting individuals with rare diseases.

Mobilizing Public Support to Ensure No Rare Disease Is Overlooked
Treatment and care for rare diseases are a lifelong journey. Rare disease care teams demonstrate their commitment through action, applying their professional expertise to support every rare disease family. Director General Ching-Fen Shen further stated that although rare diseases affect relatively small patient populations, every individual deserves to be seen, supported and protected. She called on more civic organizations and the general public to participate in these efforts, collectively supporting rare disease families and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that brings hope and encouragement into their lives. She expressed her aspiration that the efforts will continue to expand and become a substantial force supporting rare disease families.

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New Milestone of Hepatitis C Elimination: Taiwan Achieves WHO Goal Ahead of Schedule

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:55:00 GMT

Taiwan has achieved the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal of eliminating Hepatitis C by 2025, reaching this milestone ahead of the global timeline. Through cross-sectoral collaboration from central to local levels, the nation has established an integrated strategy covering prevention, screening, and treatment. The results have been outstanding, with all key indicators surpassing the WHO’s Path to Elimination "Gold Tier" standards, including diagnosis and treatment rates exceeding 90%. Taiwan is preparing to submit the "Hepatitis C Elimination Report" to the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO), demonstrating its commitment to global health standards.

Three-Pronged Approach: Treatment, Screening, and Prevention

In response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) held the International Press Conference on Eliminate Hepatitis C at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation.

President Lai Ching-Te, and Academician Chen Chien-Jen, Convener of the National Validation Task Force for Hepatitis C Elimination, attended the event. During the conference, officials outlined Taiwan’s achievements in Hepatitis C (HCV) prevention and control, highlighting policy directives such as "Therapy Spearheads Prevention", "Screening Supports Therapy", and "Prevention Secures Outcome " to meet the WHO elimination targets.

Efforts of Cross-Sectoral Collaboration Culminate in Submission of Elimination Report to WHO WPRO

Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-Liang stated that chronic Hepatitis B and C constitute a significant disease burden in Taiwan. To eliminate Hepatitis C, the government has adopted core strategies centered on "Precision Public Health", "Localized Care Delivery" and "Continuum of Care". These strategies aim to provide precise, comprehensive, and effective screening and treatment services.

Since 2003, the government has provided interferon therapy, and in 2017, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) initiated reimbursement by National Health Insurance (NHI). As of October 2025, over 182,000 patients have received DAA treatment, with a total expenditure of approximately NT$28.7 billion. To boost screening capacity, the government expanded the screening age range to 45–79 years in 2020 and further widened eligibility to those aged 39–79 in 2025. To date, over 7.55 million individuals have undergone screening.

Director-General Shen Ching-Fen of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) noted that Taiwan’s Programmatic Targets for HCV elimination have surpassed the Gold Tier standards of the WHO’s "Path to Elimination" (PTE). Both diagnosis and treatment rates now exceed 90%. Regarding prevention and harm reduction measures, the average number of sterile needles and syringes distributed per person who injects drugs (PWID) exceeds 150, while blood safety and injection safety have maintained a 100% record.

Having achieved these staged elimination goals, the Administration aims to further reduce the incidence of Hepatitis C and mortality rates attributable to Hepatitis B and C. Future efforts will focus on strengthening screening, health education campaigns to raise public awareness, and improving treatment accessibility. The public is strongly encouraged to undergo screening and seek early follow-up treatment to consolidate the nation's success in eliminating Hepatitis C.

Through cross-sectoral collaboration involving the MOHW’s Department of Medical Affairs, Department of Mental Health, National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, and Taiwan Food and Drug Administration, alongside the Ministry of Justice’s Agency of Corrections, local health bureaus, medical institutions, and civic organizations, Taiwan has met the conditions to achieve the planned Hepatitis C elimination goal by 2025—well ahead of schedule.

The government plans to submit the "Taiwan Hepatitis C Elimination Report" to the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) by the end of this year. Moving forward, Taiwan remains committed to implementing relevant control measures and sharing its successful prevention and control experiences with the international community

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Heated Tobacco Product Reviews Conducted in Accordance with the Law; Market Inspections Strengthened to Safeguard Public Health

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Regarding the fourteen heated tobacco product (HTP) applications submitted by two companies, eight HTPs and their three essential components (heated tobacco devices) have passed review and will take effect on October 11, 2025. The remaining six HTPs are pending due to incomplete documentation and have not yet been approved. The review and approval were conducted in accordance with the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act and related regulations, and were finalized following expert evaluation. All procedures complied with the law, and no irregularities were found.

Going forward, any products placed on the market must comply with the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, and applicable tax requirements. Non-compliant products are prohibited from sale. The Health Promotion Administration (HPA), Ministry of Health and Welfare, in collaboration with local governments, will launch a targeted enforcement plan. The plan will intensify inspections of retailers, areas surrounding school campuses, and online platforms, and will also increase the frequency of mystery-shopper visits to closely monitor businesses’ compliance with relevant regulations. The display of heated tobacco devices is prohibited. Specialty stores found publicly displaying such devices will be in violation and subject to enhanced enforcement, with particular focus on areas near school campuses.

The HPA adopts a zero-tolerance stance toward youth use of HTPs, strictly prohibiting sales to persons under 20 years of age and to pregnant women. The authorities will continue to raise public awareness of tobacco-related hazards and to publish enforcement results on a regular basis, in order to build a comprehensive tobacco-control safety net and safeguard public health.

Furthermore, the prohibition of additives in tobacco products remains under discussion. Once promulgated, it will apply uniformly to all tobacco products, including HTPs. Approved HTPs are also prohibited from making misleading claims such as “safer” or “a substitute for cigarettes,” to ensure consumers are not misled.

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2025 Asia-Pacific Health Promotion Workshop Fosters International Communication and Talent Development of Public Health in the Region

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMT

The "2025 Asia-Pacific Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Workshop" was successfully held on August 26–27 at the College of Public Health, National Taiwan University. This workshop brought together a total of 160 government officials and scholars from Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to engage in in-depth exchanges on health promotion and cancer screening strategies. It also promoted international collaboration and enhanced Taiwan’s visibility and influence in the field of public health across the Asia- pacific region.

Cross-border and Cross-sector Collaboration Inspire New Thinking in Public Health

The "2025 Asia-Pacific Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Workshop" was guided by the Health Promotion Administration (HPA), Ministry of Health and Welfare, and jointly organized by the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), the Collaborating Centres for Health Promotion (CCHP), the Taiwan Association for Global Health Initiative (TAGHI), with support from the Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) and the Taiwan Public Health Student Association.

The event brought together four distinguished speakers from four countries: Dr. Akila ANDIAPPAN, Deputy Director of Health Screening and Management at the Health Promotion Board, Singapore; Dr. Takahiro HIGASHI, Professor of Public Health and Health Policy at the University of Tokyo, Japan; Dr. Yumi OH, Division Director of the Department of Health Risk Prevention at the Korea Health Promotion Institute; and Dr. Han-Mo CHIU, Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at National Taiwan University College of Medicine Department, Taiwan, Professor Hsiu-Hsi CHEN from the Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at National Taiwan University, Director Hung-Yi CHIOU and Deputy Director Dr. Ya-Wen CHIU from the National Institute of Population Health Sciences, NHRI. Through engaging discussions on topics such as national cancer screening strategies and health promotion policies, the workshop fostered vibrant cross-national and interdisciplinary dialogues among policymakers, academics, and public health professionals.

Focusing on Cancer Screening: Policy Dialogue and Practical Exchange to Strengthen Regional Health Resilience

The two-day workshop focused on the current colorectal cancer screening policies and strategies. Dr. Akila ANDIAPPAN from Singapore’s Health Promotion Board opened the session by introducing Singapore’s evidence-based experience, highlighting several successful strategies: integrating screening programs into primary care services, deploying mobile screening units to reach underserved populations, promoting multilingual health education to serve diverse communities, and establishing a rigorous quality assurance system. Dr. Yumi OH from the Korea Health Promotion Institute shared Korea’s strategy, which prioritizes early diagnosis and intervention. She also highlighted government efforts to implement community health programs that strengthen public health infrastructure and promote integrated health promotion measures aimed at reducing key risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity. Professor Takahiro HIGASHI of the University of Tokyo emphasized the critical role of cancer screening in early detection and improved prognosis. However, he also pointed out concerns such as overdiagnosis and overtreatment associated with certain screening methods. Japan’s national guidelines, he explained, are developed with great caution, recommending only screening procedures with strong evidence of mortality reduction, thereby striking a balance between evidence-based policymaking and clinical realities. Finally, Dr. Han-Mo CHIU, a leading expert in colonoscopy in Asia and Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at National Taiwan University, addressed Taiwan’s current challenges in colorectal cancer screening. He noted the stagnation in screening participation rates in recent years, the lack of improvement in follow-up colonoscopy rates among individuals with positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT) results, the need for advancements in early-stage colorectal cancer treatment, and the often-overlooked risk of recurrence following local excision. Taiwan has promoted colorectal cancer screening through systematic planning, medical collaboration, and public education. These efforts have successfully increased participation, reduced mortality, and lowered healthcare costs. The program has achieved remarkable results and will move toward precision screening in the future.

On the second day of the workshop, the focus shifted to a broader discussion on national cancer screening strategies. Representatives from participating countries took turns presenting overviews of their current national screening policies and the challenges they face during the round-table forum. The discussion was co-moderated by Deputy Director-General Shi-Lun WEI from the Health Promotion Administration also joined the discussion. Government officials and scholars from across the Asia-Pacific region participated in this forum, sharing insights on the implementation of screening strategies in practice, their theoretical foundations, ongoing challenges, and future prospects. The lively exchanges during the session sparked numerous in-depth and forward-looking perspectives, laying the groundwork for potential cross-border collaboration and strategic development in population health.

Director-General Ching-Fen SHEN of the Health Promotion Administration shared Taiwan’s successful experience in colorectal cancer screening and also learnd from the practices of other economies at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Workshop. Director-General SHEN remarked that the workshop not only deepened transnational exchange and policy dialogue on health promotion and cancer screening strategies across the Asia-Pacific region, but also established a solid foundation for stronger academic and practical collaborations between Taiwan and countries in the Asia-Pacific and New Southbound regions. Looking ahead, the Collaborating Centres for Health Promotion (CCHP) will continue to work closely with international partners to address emerging global health challenges. The Center will further strengthen Taiwan’s research and practical capacity in areas such as non-communicable disease prevention and health promotion.

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Postpartum healthcare service program launched on May 1 to support health for pregnant and postpartum women

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 10:00:02 GMT

To implement President Lai's Healthy Taiwan vision and promote health for pregnant and postpartum women, government-funded postpartum healthcare services have been provided since May 1, 2025. Theses services extend the current prenatal healthcare to the postpartum period enabling board-certified physicians or midwives to provide mothers with physiological measurements, disease and physical function assessment, and consultations on postpartum lifestyle and fertility, offering more comprehensive care for pregnant and postpartum women.

Postpartum healthcare safeguards mothers’ health

In a bid to foster a childbirth-friendly environment, enhance positive pregnancy and delivery experiences, and promote the physical and mental well-being of postpartum women, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, after consulting recommendations from professional medical associations and extensive expert discussion, has introduced two additional postpartum healthcare services beyond the existing 14 prenatal check-ups. These services are to be provided within one month postpartum (ideally between one to two weeks) and again within three months postpartum (ideally between six to eight weeks). The services focus on the following aspects:

l Physiological measurements: Body weight and blood pressure are measured to assess the recovery progress of postpartum women and maintain their health.

l Disease and physical function assessment: Board-certified physicians or midwives conduct follow-up evaluations for pregnancy- and childbirth-related conditions, as well as assessments of chronic diseases, overall physical function, and pelvic floor urinary function in postpartum women.

l Mental well-being self-assessment: Postpartum women are encouraged to complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale using a QR code provided in the Maternal Health Handbook to conduct a self-assessment. Physicians will then provide follow-up consultation or referral based on the assessment results.

l Postpartum lifestyle and fertility-related counseling: The first healthcare session offers guidance on sleep, smoking cessation, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions. The second session covers topics such as exercise, nutrition, sexual health, contraception, and preparation for future pregnancies.

Collaboration between professional pregnancy and childbirth teams to safeguard the health of mother and child

Minister of Health and Welfare Tai-Yuan Chiu stated that while welcoming a new life into a family brings great joy, it also comes with considerable pressure. Mothers and their families often focus entirely on the baby, unintentionally overlooking the mother’s needs. However, postpartum mothers also require attentive care, adequate rest, strong family support, as well as professional medical guidance and consultation. This comprehensive support is essential for empowering mothers to nurture and accompany their babies.

Healthcare institutions contracted with the National Health Insurance Administration that provide prenatal check-up services are also eligible to offer postpartum healthcare services. For more information or inquiries about postpartum healthcare services, the public is encouraged to visit the Health Promotion Administration website. For further inquiries related to pregnancy and childbirth, please feel free to call the Maternity and Child Consultation Service Hotline at 0800-870-870 ("Hold You Tight"), where dedicated personnel are available to assist you. You may also visit the Maternity and Child Care Website (https://mammy.hpa.gov.tw/) or the Health 99+ Education Resource Website (https://health99.hpa.gov.tw/theme/5) for comprehensive information on prenatal and postpartum care.

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30% of Patients with The Three Highs Show Kidney Dysfunction – 8 Tips to Protect Kidney Health

Mon, 19 May 2025 11:26:21 GMT

Many people living with CKD do not have any symptoms until they are in advanced stages or complications develop; moreover, high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes are the two most common causes of chronic kidney disease. In response to World Kidney Day, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) urges the public to adopt the "8 Kidney Protection Tips," including regular physical activity, healthy eating, smoking cessation, medication safety, and controlling the three highs, to reduce the risk of CKD. Starting in 2025, the HPA is introducing kidney health education into the adult preventive health check-up services to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health and how to prevent kidney-related diseases.

Early Detection Through Health Screening – No More Kidney Health Worries

According to the analysis of the 2023 preventive health check-up data, 15% of the subjects were diagnosed with renal function abnormalities. Among those with hyperglycemia, about 3 in 10 had kidney dysfunction. Among those with hypertension, 1 in 5 had abnormalities. The rate was even higher for individuals with all three conditions (hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia), with 30% showing kidney dysfunction. Managing these conditions is key to preventing CKD.

The HPA has funded the “Adult Preventive Health Check-ups” every 5 years for individuals aged 30-39, every 3 years for those aged 40-64, and annually for those aged 65 and older. The service now includes kidney health education provided by specialist physicians, covering kidney function stages, proteinuria status, and risk factors such as the three highs, obesity, smoking, and improper medication use. This initiative helps the public understand their kidney health and promotes the idea that prevention is better than treatment.

Master the 8 Kidney Protection Tips for a Healthier Future

In addition to offering free health screenings, the HPA encourages the public to follow these 8 kidney protection tips:

Healthy Eating: Consume a variety of the six categories of whole, unprocessed foods, while avoiding processed food, desserts, fried items, and foods that are overly salty, sweet, and oily.
Adequate Hydration: Healthy adults are recommended to drink about 2,000 c.c. (2 liters) of water daily to maintain proper kidney function.
Regular Exercise: Develop a habit of exercising regularly. At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week is recommended to help maintain overall health and control weight.
Regular Blood Pressure Monitoring (722 Rule): A healthy adult's blood pressure should be less than 120/80 mmHg. Follow the "722 Rule"—: “7” represents measuring blood pressure for seven consecutive days, “2” represents taking readings twice daily (once in the morning and once before bed), and another “2” represents taking two measurements each time and using the average. Seek medical advice if abnormal readings persist.
Weight control: Keeping a BMI between 18.5 and 24 kg/m² helps manage metabolic syndrome and reduces the risk of CKD.
Smoking cessation: Smoking reduces blood flow to the kidneys, impairing their function. The HPA offers a free quit-smoking hotline (0800-636363) for individuals in need to seek professional assistance.
Cautious medication use: Avoid prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), painkillers, and herbal medicines from unverified sources. Always consult a doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about medication.
Manage the Three Highs: Control the risk factors of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia by adopting healthy lifestyle habits and following medical advice, including prescribed medications and treatments, to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
Regular Health Check-ups and Health Information to Reduce the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease

To raise public awareness and help slow the progression of CKD, the HPA not only promotes free health check-ups but also provides professional medical guidance for individuals at risk of kidney disease. Healthcare professionals offer advice on managing metabolic syndrome, quitting smoking, and adopting proper nutrition and exercise habits. The public is encouraged to utilize the online educational resources, such as the "Chronic Disease Prevention" section on the Health 99+ website (https://health99.hpa.gov.tw/theme/6), to take proactive steps in managing their health and reduce the risk of kidney disease.

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Internationally Recognized for Promotion of Tobacco-Free Hospitals: Taiwan Receives Over 50% of Award Categories

Thu, 08 May 2025 17:34:38 GMT

43 Smoke-free Hospitals in Taiwan Have Received the International Golden Awards to Date
The GNTH was established in 1999 and has since garnered enthusiastic participation from over 1,400 member institutions (medical facilities) spanning 14 countries. Taiwan applied for membership in 2011, establishing the first network in the Asia-Pacific region. Presently, Taiwan proudly counts 218 hospitals as members, with 43 hospitals having previously received the prestigious international gold award. This year's award-winning hospitals include Kaohsiung Municipal Min-Sheng Hospital, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Cathay General Hospital, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch.
Distinctive Smoking Cessation Services with Remarkable Achievements
The HPA encourages hospitals each year to conduct self-assessments based on GNTH's 8 Global Standards (Governance and Commitment, Communication, Education and Training, Identification/Diagnosis and Tobacco Cessation Support, Tobacco-Free Environment, Healthy Workplace, Community Engagement, Monitoring and Evaluation), and also actively engaging in the international golden award certification. The recognized features and highlights of the eight awarded hospitals this year (2024) are as follows:
1.Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital: Creative use of the multimedia interactive functions of the hospital's self-service payment kiosks to conduct online prize-winning quizzes, including the broadcast of animated short films to explain the hazards of tobacco products, strengthen the spread of the smoking cessation messaging, and establish a Gan-Dau Hospital Smoking Cessation Line@group to interact with patients.
2.Taipei Veterans General Hospital: Actively identify outpatients and inpatients who smoke, introduce SDM and social media app @SmartHelper to provide comprehensive support for smoking cessation. Full-time dedicated inspectors together with 17 surveillance technology hotspot broadcasting and a smoking hazard reporting community to create a healthy and reassuring healing space.
3.Cathay General Hospital: A chronic disease smoking cessation service network has been established to promote shared decision-making (SDM) between doctors and patients. One-on-one health education consultations are provided by chronic disease case managers to strengthen the motivation to quit smoking. The hospital also actively shares its experiences in tobacco control with the international community to safeguard people's health.
4.Mackay Memorial Hospital: The hospital regularly organizes “Mackay Smoking Cessation Week” and community tobacco harm prevention activities, improves the quality of smoking cessation services through a smoking cessation case management system, sets up smoking cessation reminder bells in the smoking area, set up a smoking cessation bell, establish an incentive mechanism to encourage employees to refer smoking cessation services, and integrate medical staff from various departments to participate in smoking cessation service training and certification.
5.National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch: Through illustrated explanations, the hospital helps patients choose the right smoking cessation medication. They actively track cases and use a successful smoking cessation bulletin board and success cards to overcome difficulties in the smoking cessation process and inspire determination to persevere in the smoking cessation journey.
6.Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital: Smoking cessation shared decision-making (SDM) was introduced, and a smoking cessation SDM tool was built into the medical order system. For inpatients with a smoking history, the SDM tool was used to make a smoking cessation decision that suits them, improving motivation and increasing the chance of success.
7.Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital: The hospital has created an intuitive system for identifying smoking status, implemented referral services, integrated relevant resources to organize cross-team collaboration, innovatively created a “smoke-free hospital ecosystem”, and deployed multi-disciplinary and multi-level smoking cessation interventions to create high-efficiency smoking treatment effects and move towards the goal of a smoke-free lifestyle.
8.Kaohsiung Municipal Min-Sheng Hospital: The hospital deploys a variety of tools to deliver smoking cessation and health education information, including audio-visual media and promotional activities in conjunction with festivals. Shared decision-making (SDM) between doctors and patients was introduced to improve the effectiveness of smoking cessation health education. Smoking cessation health education is organized in the community, workplace and schools to promote knowledge of smoking cessation and health.

International Exchange of Tobacco-Free Hospitals Enhances Taiwan’s Global Visibility
GNTH held the “GNTH Global Network Conference & Gold Forum 2024” on November 6, 2024, and organized the topic “The Gold Standard of Healthcare: Representatives from Various Networks Showcasing Their Models for Promoting Smoke-Free Organizations.” Representatives from six networks delivered keynote presentations, and in Taiwan, Director General Chao-Chun Wu of the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, shared Taiwan's tobacco harm prevention policies and results. Eight award-winning hospitals in Taiwan were also invited to attend the award ceremony and share their experiences in promoting smoke-free hospitals, highlighting the achievements of smoke-free hospitals in our country.

Extended Reading:
[List of 218 GNTH members in Taiwan]
https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=589&pid=16137
[Smoke-Free Hospitals]
https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/List.aspx?nodeid=182

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Newborn Hearing Screening: Seizing the Golden 72 Hours

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:30:07 GMT

Hearing is crucial for language development. Globally, approximately 3 to 5 out of every 1,000 newborns are affected by congenital hearing loss. The Health Promotion Administration (HPA) recommends newborn hearing screening within the first 72 hours after birth, followed by an early diagnosis before the age of 3 months. Timely hearing and speech therapy should be provided before 6 months of age, and hearing aids or rehabilitation should be introduced based on professional evaluation, allowing children to hear the beauty of the world.

Taiwan Leads the World in Newborn Hearing Screening with a Coverage Rate of Over 98%

According to the WHO's 2021 Hearing Report and research by Neumann and others, 38% of newborns worldwide did not undergo hearing screening in 2020, and about one-third of countries lacked newborn hearing screening services. Only 41 countries achieved a coverage rate of over 85%, accounting for 20% of all countries globally. If hearing loss in children is not identified and treated in time, it will affect language development and social interaction. Since hearing loss is not immediately apparent, many parents struggle to identify it in their newborns through daily observation. This has led to widespread efforts to ensure universal hearing screening. Taiwan has been promoting hearing screening services for newborns within 3 months of birth since 2012, with a consistent coverage rate of above 90%, and in recent years, it has exceeded 98%, making Taiwan one of the best-performing countries in the world.

Case Study of Seizing the Golden 72-Hour Screening Period: Helping Children Hear and Speak

In 2023, according to the Health Promotion Administration Statistics, a total of 134,082 newborns underwent hearing screening, achieving a screening rate of 98.9%. Of these, 786 children were diagnosed with hearing loss. A case of a 1-year and 8-month-old child, Lele, shares valuable insights. Lele’s mother recalls that her baby failed the initial hearing test within three days of birth, and the second test two days later also showed no improvement. Lele was referred to the hospital where hearing loss was confirmed. Fortunately, by 2 months old, Lele began wearing appropriate hearing aids and received regular therapy and follow-up care under the guidance of Dr. Wu Chen-Chi from the Department of Otolaryngology at National Taiwan University Hospital. Now, Lele responds well to external sounds. The mother expressed "Thanks to the newborn hearing screening service, my baby's hearing problem was detected and treated early."

Make Good Use of the "Children Health Handbook" to Continuously Monitor Your Child's Hearing Health

Passing the newborn hearing screening does not guarantee that a child will not develop hearing problems later. Factors such as otitis media, trauma, meningitis, or infections can result in delayed hearing loss or impairment. Therefore, parents should continue to monitor their child's hearing status. If hearing loss is detected at the age of 3 to 4 years or even later, it could impact communication, cognition, reading, and social interaction, potentially resulting in developmental delays compared to same age peers.
Health Promotion Administration recommends that parents use the "Simple Home-Based Hearing Behavioral Checklist " in the "Children Health Handbook" to observe and assess how their child reacts to sounds and their language performance. For example, between 3 and 6 months, does the baby show interest in sounds? Between 7 and 12 months, does the baby enjoy playing with toys that make sounds? 　Between 1 and 2 years old, can the child say simple words like "dad" or "mom"? In addition, if a 3 to 4-year-old child displays delayed language development, unclear speech, or frequently turns up the TV volume or seems unresponsive to family members calling, parents should remain vigilant and take their child for a medical checkup with an ENT specialist to detect any potential hearing issues and avoid missing a critical window for language development.

Follow the "1-3-1-6 Principle" for Hearing Screening to Ensure Healthy Development

Director General Wu Chao-Chun of the Health Promotion Administration urges parents to prioritize their newborn's hearing health by ensuring that hearing screening is completed within "1 month" of birth, diagnostic tests are carried out within "3 months", hearing aids are fitted within "1 month" after diagnosis, and hearing and speech therapy is initiated within "6 months." Currently, 259 medical institutions nationwide offer newborn hearing screening services, with 64 providing diagnostic services. Early screening, timely treatment, and proper rehabilitation are essential for identifying hearing issues in young children and delivering appropriate care. This ensures that babies with hearing loss receive professional auditory care in the early stages of life, guaranteeing healthy development for every child.

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Promoting International Exchange on Healthy Diets for the Elderly and Sharing Achievements and Experiences Toward a Global Age-Friendly Environment

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:30:00 GMT

Healthy eating is one of the key issues for the elderly. In response, Health Promotion Administration of Ministry of Health and Welfare in collaboration with APEC, hosted an international conference today, focusing on three main themes: nutrition policies, empirical research, and AI applications. The conference provided a platform for exchanging experiences on promoting healthy diets and age-friendly environments for the elderly. Taiwan shared its blueprint for nutrition promotion policies and achievements in promoting healthy diets for the elderly, working together with other economies to create an age-friendly healthy eating environment.

APEC economies join hands to address the aging trend in the Asia-Pacific region

With the accelerating aging population, changing demographic structure and rising morbidity in Asia-Pacific region, the health of the elderly has become one of the key public health issues today. To promote the development of policies on health diet for the elderly, the “APEC Conference on Policies and Technologies to Promote Healthy Aging with Healthy Diet” was held by the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare on March 26, 2025, at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation International Convention Center. Experts from Canada, Japan, Singapore are invited to share their best practices in nutrition policy development and healthy diet promotion. In addition, the representatives of APEC economies and relevant experts from Taiwan and abroad are invited to exchange their insights. A total of ten economies and more than 300 participants have registered, working together to promote healthy diets for the elderly.

The United Nations advocates for healthy aging, with nutrition as a key element

According to the United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Asia-Pacific region is moving towards an aging population. It is estimated that by 2050, the population over 65 years old will increase to 1 billion; additionally, the UN Decade of Healthy Aging: Plan of Action 2021-2030 emphasizes the importance of health promotion and improving health literacy in achieving healthy aging, and nutrition plays a crucial role. Adopting a healthy diet can not only delay disability, reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases, but also reduce the medical and financial burdens. This underscores the necessity of promoting age-friendly dietary policies.

Bringing together international industries, governments, academia, and research, to share experiences and future blueprints.

To addressing the challenges of aging society in Asia-Pacific region, this conference focuses on three topics, which are “Nutrition Development Strategy and Policy”, “Explore Healthy Aging Diet with Evidence-based Practice” and “Constructing Age-Friendly Environment and Healthy Diet with AI Applications”. Distinguished speakers from different economies include Ms. Rachel Ngo, Director of Physical Activity and Healthy Ageing Programmes, Health Promotion Board from Singapore, Prof. Koji Miura, Specially Appointed Senior Professor of Fujita Health University from Japan, Prof. Katsuya Iijima, Director of Institute of Gerontology; Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo from Japan and Mr. Yoshimitsu Mori, President of Japan Care Food Conference from Japan. Besides, we are honored to have Prof. Mary R. L’Abbe, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto from Canada as the keynote speaker to share the global nutrition issues and challenges. A panel discussion is also be arranged, inviting representatives from Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia to share policies and strategies in addressing the challenges of aging society.

Toward a super-aged society, creating an age-friendly eating environment

Taiwan entered an aged society in 2018 and has become a super-aging society this year. In response to the health needs of the aging population, the government has adopted various healthy diet policies. In 2023, the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare successfully promoted the legislation of the “Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act” that came into effect in 2024. Through the legislation, the government actively supports the establishment of community nutrition promotion centers and collaborates with the academic and private sectors to develop relevant policies, demonstrating Taiwan’s commitment to promoting healthy diets. Furthermore, to create an age-friendly dietary environment, Taiwan published a “Texture modified Diet Manual” in 2019, combined local dietary habits with adjustments in local ingredients, cutting, and cooking techniques, ensuring that the elderly receive appropriate and balanced nutritional support, thereby enhancing their health and quality of life. Through this conference, Taiwan will share our experiences in nutrition promotion policies, AI applications and healthy diet policies with APEC economies as well as promote dialogue and exchange experiences between economies in order to build a comprehensive age-friendly dietary environment, provide holistic health support for the elderly, and jointly address the challenges and opportunities of an aging society.

For Press Materials: Mrs. Chia-Hsiu Liu, Division Director, Community Health Division, Health Promotion Administration; Mobile: +886-920-543-380｜Phone: +886-2-25220750

Contact Person: Mrs. Li-Ting Huang, Technical Specialist, Surveillance, Research and Health Education Division, Health Promotion Administration; Mobile: +886-972-725-705｜Phone: +886-2-25220585

Reference: Conference Website of the APEC Conference on Policies and Technologies to Promote Healthy Aging with Healthy Diet: https://www.2025apechpa.org/

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Healthy Taiwan: Expanding Colorectal Cancer Screening for Better Protection

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:11:20 GMT

Start the new year by prioritizing your health! Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Taiwan, with 17,643 new cases diagnosed in 2022, according to Health Promotion Administration (HPA). To enhance early detection, Taiwan is expanding its colorectal cancer screening program. Starting in 2025, free fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is now available once every two years for individuals aged 45 to 74 and those aged 40 to 44 with a family history of colorectal cancer. Early detection significantly improves survival rates, making regular screening an important tool in the fight against colorectal cancer. In addition to screening, a well-balanced diet and regular exercise are essential to maintaining good gut health. Take advantage of the screening resources available to you and protect your health today!

Expanded Screening: Higher Survival Rate with Early Detection

Colorectal cancer often goes unnoticed in its early-stage because it typically has no obvious symptoms. However, regular FIT enables early detection, allowing timely intervention to prevent or control cancer progression. Cancer registry data from 2009 to 2022 showed an upward trend in colorectal cancer incidence among people aged 45 to 49. Evidence indicated that regular screening, combined with early diagnosis and timely treatment, reduced the incidence of late stage colorectal cancer by 29% and mortality by 35%. Additionally, the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed at stages 0 and 1 exceeded 90%. The HPA of the Ministry of Health and Welfare is expanding its colorectal cancer screening service starting January 1, 2025. The service extends free biennial FIT screening from individuals aged 50 to 74 to those aged 45 to 74. In addition, individuals aged 40 to 44 with a family history of colorectal cancer (diagnosed in parents, offspring, or siblings) are also eligible.

HPA Director-General Chao-Chun Wu encouraged all eligible people who have not undergone FIT in the past two years to get screened as soon as possible. Regular screening is crucial, and if abnormalities are found, a follow-up colonoscopy exam should be arranged as soon as possible. Any polyps found can then be removed before they progress to precancerous lesions. To check screening eligibility and the date of the last exam, individuals can use the NHI App (My Health Bank) . For more information on cancer screening programs and medical facilities, visit the National Cancer Screening Programs and Hospital Information website: https://escreening.hpa.gov.tw/Home .

Easy Home Testing for a Stress-Free Health Check

The FIT is a simple, non-invasive screening that requires no dietary restrictions. Eligible individuals can visit a NHI-contracted hospital/clinic, present their National Health Insurance card, and receive a collection tube. The test can be conveniently performed at home – just follow four simple steps – then return the sample for analysis. HPA would like to remind all eligible citizens to take advantage of the government-subsidized FIT screening every two years and prioritize their health with this convenient at-home test. Simply follow the four steps below to keep an eye on your health!

Collect the Sampling Tube: Visit NHI partner hospital/clinic, present your NHI card, receive the collection tube and write your name.
Bowel Movement: Lay toilet paper on the inside of a sitting toilet then perform a bowel movement to leave the stool on the dry part inside the toilet bowel. Alternatively, perform the bowel movement on a newspaper. Now, collect the test sample.
Collect Fecal Sample: Rotate the collection tube cap then pull the collection scoop up and out. Do not empty the water inside the tube. Gently scrape the surface of the stool with the scoop several times, then insert the scoop back inside the tube and close it tightly.
Return: Return the collection tube to the hospital/clinic for testing.

Dietary Tips for the Lunar New Year: Protect Your Gut with “3 More’s, 3 Less’s, 3 No’s”

Colorectal cancer risk is closely linked to lifestyle and diet. To stay healthy during the Lunar New Year, the HPA recommends following the “3 More’s, 3 Less’s, 3 No’s” dietary principle:

More: more fruits and vegetables, more water, more exercise;

Less: less salt, less red meat, less sauce;

No: no skin, no fat, and no charring.

Enjoying great food during the holidays while making healthier choices─increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, limit red and processed meats, and continue to engage in regular exercise. Going for a walk or taking an outdoor trip with family and friends during the Lunar New Year holidays to help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and wish your bowels a happy new year.

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Taiwan Collaborates with International Experts to Accelerate the Elimination of Hepatitis C by 2025

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 22:00:00 GMT

To advance the elimination of Hepatitis C, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) hosted the “2024 International Conference on Elimination of Hepatitis C,” bringing together experts from Europe, the United States, Japan, Australia, and beyond. Guided by three key policy directions: “Therapy spear-heading prevention,” “Screening support therapy” and “Prevention securing outcomes.” Taiwan continues to achieve remarkable progress through expanded screening, National Health Insurance (NHI)-covered treatments, and strategic initiatives, moving closer to its ambitious goal of eliminating Hepatitis C by 2025.

A Cross-Sectoral Collaboration Towards the “Final Mile” of Elimination

Dr. Chiu Tai-Yuan, Minister of Health and Welfare emphasized that Hepatitis B and C remain significant public health challenges in Taiwan, with an estimated 11,000 deaths annually due to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. To eliminate Hepatitis C, Taiwan has adopted the core strategies of “Precision Public Health（精準公衛防治）,” “Localized care delivery（防治在地化）,” and “Continuum of care（防治一條龍）,” providing accurate, comprehensive, and effective screening and treatment services. Taiwan has included the treatment of Hepatitis C in its National Health Insurance coverage since 2003 and has progressively expanded public-funded screening and direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments. In 2024, the government increased the reimbursement for Hepatitis B and C screenings from NT200 (USD 6) to NT370 (USD 11) per case, further enhancing adult preventive healthcare services. As of June 2024, over 6.66 million individuals have undergone screening.

Taiwan is currently working towards achieving WHO certification for the elimination of Hepatitis C. Thanks to the collective efforts of medical experts, civil organizations, local health bureaus, and inter-sectoral cooperation at the all levels, Taiwan has reached the "final mile" in its journey to eliminate Hepatitis C. The goal is to surpass the WHO's 2030 global elimination target and overcome this critical public health challenge by 2025.

Held on December 12 at the National Taiwan University Hospital International Convention Center, the “2024 International Conference on Elimination of Hepatitis C” opened with keynote speeches by former Vice President Dr. Chen Chien-Jen and Prof. Chien Rong-Nan of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, who detailed Taiwan’s significant policy milestones in hepatitis elimination. Prof. Philippa Easterbrook of Imperial College London and Dr. John Ward, Director of the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination, shared insights into global and regional HCV elimination trends and outcomes.

Local experts, including President Yu Ming-Long of Kaohsiung Medical University, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Chen Chien-Hung of NTU Cancer Center, and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Hung Chien-Ching of NTU Yunlin Branch, presented strategies for addressing HCV among high-risk groups in Taiwan.

Also, Dr. Margaret Hellard, Deputy Director of the Burnet Institute, Dr. Tadashi Ikegami, Deputy Director of Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, Prof. Hu Tsung-Hui of Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Director-General Yeh Yen-Po of Changhua County Public Health Bureau, along with President Rachel Halford, President of the World Hepatitis Alliance; Ms. Jessica Hicks, Director of the World Hepatitis Alliance and Mr. Finn Jarle Rode, Executive Director of the Hepatitis Fund, shared practical experiences in HCV elimination at community and municipal levels.

Taiwan’s Commitment to Global Elimination

Director-General Wu Chao-Chun of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) highlighted Taiwan’s strong performance against WHO’s programmatic indicators for HCV elimination, with diagnostic and treatment rates, blood safety, and injection safety already meeting the targets. Needle exchange programs for people who inject drugs are also approaching compliance. Director-General Wu expressed gratitude for the valuable recommendations provided by international experts and reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to achieving certification for HCV elimination by 2025. He extended an invitation to global experts to witness this milestone and reiterated Taiwan’s dedication to sharing its successful experiences to support global HCV elimination efforts.

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Regular health check-ups reduce risks:Chronic diseases related to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol account for half of the top ten causes of death.40-70% of people are unaware of abnormal levels in these conditions.

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:58:48 GMT

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2022 statistics on the top ten causes of death in Taiwan, chronic diseases related to the three highs (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol) claimed 69,400 lives. Furthermore, the National Health Insurance Administration's top ten diseases with the highest medical expenses in 2022 revealed that kidney disease ranked first, while diabetes, hypertension-related diseases, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular diseases ranked third, fourth, sixth, and seventh, respectively. These conditions are all related to the three highs. This highlights the significant threat that the "three highs" pose to public health and the burden they place on the national health insurance system, making them an issue that cannot be overlooked.
According to the National Nutrition and Health Survey data from 2017 to 2020, the awareness rate of the three highs among people aged 20 and above in Taiwan is as follows: 68% for high blood pressure, 66% for high blood sugar, and 23% for high cholesterol. This means that around 40-70% of the population is unaware of abnormal levels in their three highs. Since the three highs often have no obvious symptoms in the early stages, people are less likely to notice that their health may already be at risk from these silent threats.

Caring for "Three Highs" Health Data to Reduce Chronic Disease Risks
According to survey data, about 60% of the population regularly participates in health check-ups. Director-General Wu Chao-chun of the National Health Service reminds the public to take advantage of free adult health check-up services. People aged 40 to 64 are eligible for a check-up every three years, while those aged 65 and above can receive one annually (with indigenous people starting at 55 and individuals with polio starting at 35). The services include health behavior surveys, physical exams, blood tests, urine tests, and health consultations. These can effectively monitor six common health issues in the population: blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, kidney function, liver function, and body mass index. The results of the health check-up can be entered into the "Chronic Disease Risk Assessment Platform," which estimates the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular events in the next ten years. It provides follow-up recommendations based on low, medium, or high risk levels. Those with medium or high risk should seek professional medical assistance early and improve unhealthy habits to prevent chronic diseases.

Regular Health Check-ups, Tracking Red Flags, and Reversing the "Three Highs"
To prevent the dangers of the "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol), it's essential to address the issue at its source by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, including quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Regular health check-ups and tracking any abnormalities are necessary to prevent and control the occurrence of the three highs and chronic diseases. The following three points should be followed:
● Measure Blood Pressure with the 722 Principle: It is recommended that people measure their blood pressure at home using the "722" principle: Measure for "7" consecutive days, "2" times a day—once after waking up in the morning and once before going to bed at night, and "2" times each measurement to monitor their health status.
● Regular Health Check-ups: People should take advantage of health check-up services in various settings, such as adult preventive healthcare services, workplace health screenings, civil servant check-ups, or self-funded check-ups, to monitor changes in their blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar levels.
● Track Red Flags in Health Check-ups: If any red flags (abnormal results) appear in health check-ups, they should be taken seriously, and individuals should promptly seek follow-up care at medical institutions.

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The Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act was enacted to encourage the public to adopt a healthier diet and lifestyle

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 11:18:00 GMT

　　Following the promulgation of the Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act by presidential decree on January 3, 2024, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the Enforcement Rules of the Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act and the Regulations for the Rewards for Establishing a Healthy Dietary Environmenton on July 1, 2024, providing critical legal foundations and support for the country’s efforts to promote nutrition and healthy diet. The policies will be implemented in accordance with the law and regulations to reflect President Lai’s vision of a “Healthy Taiwan” to achieve the objective of cultivating public awareness of nutrition and a passion for exercise from an early age, thereby encouraging citizens to take responsibility for maintaining their health.

Establish a supportive environment for healthy diet through incentives and subsidies

　　Director-General Chao-Chun Wu of the Health Promotion Administration stated that the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among our citizens is accomplished not by imposing restrictions, but by providing positive encouragement, support, and guidance to foster a healthier dietary environment. This approach enables citizens to gradually incorporate nutritious diets into their daily lives, thereby enhancing their nutritional awareness and cultivating enduring habits. Since 2018, the Health Promotion Administration has provided guidance and funding to various counties and cities in the country to establish “Community Nutrition Promotion Centers.” These centers are staffed by nutritionists who provide comprehensive nutritional care services to the communities with the aim to mitigate and delay the decline of physical health and functional ability of the elderly. The enactment of the Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act this year (2024) extends the promotion of nutrition and healthy diet efforts to public spaces, including government agencies, schools, workplaces, communities, hospitals, to support citizens throughout all phases of life. Furthermore, the Regulations for Rewards for Establishing a Healthy Dietary Environment has been adopted to provide practical incentives, such as funding and rewards, to encourage comprehensive participation from all sectors in advancing a healthy dietary environment through policy development and subsidy programs. The Regulations aims to engage the health industry in building a healthier dietary landscape by guiding businesses toward healthier practices and promoting the development of health-focused sectors. It also seeks to collaborate with academia to develop evidence-based dietary recommendations and policies, while partnering with nonprofit organizations and civic groups to facilitate public involvement. Through media campaigns and various outreach programs, nutrition and health awareness will be promoted, shifting public focus from “awareness” to “behavioral change” and gradually establishing a positive dietary culture.

　　The Health Promotion Administration is committed to expanding initiatives for nutrition and healthy eating by fostering inter-ministerial collaboration at the central level, and working with local governments to integrate efforts from industry, government, academia, the public, and the media. The purpose of this collective endeavor is to foster a supportive environment for healthy diet, improve the public understanding and competency of nutrition and healthy diets, and enhance the overall health and nutrition of the population.

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Raise Awareness on Breast Cancer and Mammograms in the Pink October

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:38:00 GMT

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many local and foreign celebrities are now wearing pink ribbons over their chest to raise awareness on breast cancer prevention. Thanks to the pink ribbons, more people now realize the importance of breast cancer prevention and treatment. Women are encouraged to take advantage of the golden window for treatment and embrace health through “early prevention, early detection, and early treatment.”

More than 34% of eligible women have not undergone breast cancer screening

The Health Promotion Administration’s (HPA’s) Cancer Registry data for 2021 and the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s (MOHW’s) 2023 mortality statistics showed that breast cancer was the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of deaths among Taiwanese women. Those between the ages of 45 and 69 are at the highest risk of developing cancer. Around 34.5% of women between 45 and 70 (exclusive) have not undergone a mammogram (an X-ray examination of the breast ) so far. To keep breast cancer at bay, the HPA suggests that all women between the ages of 45 and 70 (inclusive), and those between the ages of 40 and 45 with a family history of breast cancer (if their grandmothers, mothers, daughters or sisters had been diagnosed with breast cancer before) should undergo one mammograph examination every two years.

Due to the aging society and increasing number of younger breast cancer patients, starting from next year (2025) the HPA will relax the age requirements for breast cancer screening. Eligibility will be expanded by five years at either end to include all women between the ages of 40 and 75 (inclusive). All eligible people are encouraged to take their NHI card to a medical institution, or contact their local health department or health center to arrange for a mammogram and ensure early detection/treatment.

Breast cancer screening with early detection and treatment delivers the best results

A mammogram has been clinically proven internationally as an effective method for the early detection of breast cancer and improving prognosis. It can detect calcifications or small nodules in the breast, as well as stage 0 breast cancer with no symptoms.

In 2023, 923,000 Taiwanese women underwent mammograms and 5,392 cases of breast cancer were detected. In other words, one case of breast cancer was found for every 169 women screened. Where breast cancer was detected during screening, in 59.7% of the cases the breast cancer was still in its early stage (stage 0 or stage 1), proving the cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening.

The key to treating cancer is “prevention is better than the cure.” Known risk factors for breast cancer include early menarche, late menopause, never given birth or only gave birth to first child after 30 years of age, as well as no history of breastfeeding, a family history of breast cancer, having breast cancer susceptibility genes, past history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometrial cancer. Women should therefore not only check to see if they have the above risk factors for breast cancer, but also steer clear of carcinogenic factors such as tobacco and alcohol from an early age. They should eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid excessive stress to lower the risk of breast cancer.

Embracing health through Early Prevention, Detection, and Treatment

Women should take the three following “early” actions to prevent breast cancer:

1. Early Prevention: Steer clear of carcinogenic factors such as tobacco and alcohol. Follow a balanced diet, cultivate healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, maintain an ideal weight, and avoid excessive stress.
2. Early Detection: Eligible women should undergo regular screening to detect pathological changes in tissue early.
3. Early Treatment: If an anomaly is picked up during screening, seek follow-up diagnosis and treatment right away. The prognosis for breast cancer is good with early detection and treatment. Survival rate after five years is as high as 90%.

In addition to regular mammograms, if your breasts have any of these anormal symptoms: discharge from the nipple, particularly if it’s bloody or has a yellowish hue, nipple inversion, redness or itchy feel, as well as, breast lumps, resembling an orange peel, ulcer, or other anomalies on the skin, seek doctors/physicians right away to take advantage of the golden window offered by early diagnosis and treatment.

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2024 Asia-Pacific Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Workshop Fosters International Communication and Talent Development of Public Health in the Region

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:11:39 GMT

The 2024 Asia-Pacific Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Workshop, jointly organized by the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Collaborating Centres for Health Promotion (APACPH CCHP), the Taiwan Association for Global Health Initiative (TAGHI), and the Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, is held from August 6^th to August 7^th. The event featured five experts and scholars from four countries, including Dr. Yik Ying TEO, Vice President of the National University of Singapore and Deputy Director of CCHP, Dr. Masamine JIMBA, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, Japan, Dr. Yumi OH, Director of the Department of Health Policy Research and Evaluation at the Korea Health Promotion Institute, Dr. Heejin KIMM, Director of the Institute for Health Promotion, Yonsei University, South Korea, and Dr. Yeun-Chung Chang, Professor of National Taiwan University College of Medicine. Together with local experts, they engaged in vibrant discussions and exchange of ideas on topics including health promotion, lung cancer prevention strategies, and the application of AI in healthcare, exploring possibilities for further multi-party collaboration.

The Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), established in 1984, is the most prestigious public health professional non-profit academic international organization in the Asia-Pacific region, serving as a vital think tank for the health departments of various countries. In 2017, the Taiwan Health Promotion Administration and APACPH jointly established the Collaborating Centres for Health Promotion (APACPH CCHP) with the primary goal of enhancing the core capacities of health promotion among senior public health professionals in the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative aims to increase Taiwan's visibility in the Asia-Pacific region and the New Southbound Policy countries. The CCHP Director is Dr. Hung-Yi Chiou, who is also the Director of Institute of Population Health Sciences at the National Health Research Institute. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Dr. Ya-Wen Chiu, a Research Fellow at the National Health Research Institutes. With long-term support from the Taiwan Health Promotion Administration, CCHP has organized nearly 25 international conferences, forums, and educational training workshops both domestically and abroad. It has developed trend studies focusing on non-communicable diseases, strengthened the resilience of health systems in Taiwan and partner countries, and integrated preventive measures to enhance the overall health level of the region.

International exchange, enhancing global health

On the first day (August 6^th), the representatives and experts from the National University of Singapore, the University of Tokyo, the Korea Health Promotion Institute, Yonsei University, and the National Taiwan University College of Medicine, sharing policies and case studies addressing the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in their countries. In particular, cancer has become a global health issue that poses significant burdens on national healthcare systems, human resources, and finance. The workshop, therefore, put specific emphasis on lung cancer prevention strategies and health promotion. The participants shared how their countries are utilizing cutting-edge technology and training to provide earlier diagnosis and treatment and improve the patient’s survival rate and quality of life. Dr. Masamine Jimba from the University of Tokyo presented unique insights and practical examples on the application of AI in healthcare, while Dr. Yun Chung Chang from the National Taiwan University College of Medicine shared Taiwan's strategies and achievements in promoting early lung cancer screening. Their insightful discussions provided the audience with valuable experience and contributed to the promotion of health and well-being in the Asia-Pacific region.

To enhance the comprehensive research capabilities of Taiwan's health promotion personnel, on the second day (August 7^th) of the workshop, we will invite seed teachers from seven universities in Taiwan and top international speakers for in-depth discussions. They will share design breakthroughs in case studies, focusing on the important contemporary issue of obesity. Rich exchanges and opportunities for international collaboration is gained through roundtable discussions, marking a perfect end to this year's workshop. This workshop not only provides an excellent platform for Taiwan's healthcare professionals to connect with the international community but also aims to increase opportunities for multilateral cooperation in the future.

Director-General Chao-Chun Wu of the Taiwan Health Promotion Administration stated that HPA is committed to the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases and integrates the strength of professional groups to implement the vision of Healthy Taiwan. The sharing and innovative insights given by scholars and experts from four countries at this workshop provided an enlightening discussion. He welcomed further international programs and stressed that the event connected the Asia-Pacific region with shared values and took a significant step toward the parity of health across this region, for the good of enhancing global health.

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Number of Newborn Exceeds 10 Thousand on the Second Anniversary of the Infertility Treatment Subsidy Program

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 15:33:23 GMT

In order to support and assist infertile couples in their dreams of having a baby, and to lighten their financial burden in in-vitro fertilization (IVF), the Ministry of Health and Welfare has implemented the "Expanded Subsidy for infertility treatment (IVF)" (the IVF Subsidy Program) since July 1, 2021. The target of the subsidy program has expanded from members of low and medium-low income households to all infertile couples. If either spouse is a citizen of Republic of China and the wife is under the age of 45, the couple is eligible for the government's IVF subsidies. Two full years after the implementation of the subsidy program, subsidized couples have successfully delivered around 11 thousand babies, fulfilling the dreams of many infertile couples.

Lightening the Financial Burden of Infertile Couples

In order to alleviate the financial burden of infertile couples, in addition to the current subsidy of up to NT$150,000 per treatment for low and medium-low income households, general infertile couples may apply for up to NT$100,000 per treatment in their initial application and up to NT$60,000 per treatment in subsequent applications. Before a successful birth through IVF, couples may apply for up to 6 subsidies. Couples with infertility may visit designated assisted-reproduction institutions approved by the Health Promotion Administration (HPA), Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to receive medical treatments and assistance with the online subsidy application. The measure of simplified administration procedures to provide convenience for the public has received a great response and has led to an influx of applications from the public. As of July 9, 2023, 73,736 applications have qualified for the subsidy eligibility, of which 55,044 have completed the treatment and passed the subsidy evaluation.

Making Dreams Come True, the Number of IVF Babies Exceeds 10 Thousand

As of July 9, 2023, 10,383 subsidized couples have successfully delivered 11,636 babies, fulfilling infertile couples' dreams of having a baby. According to Mr. and Mrs. Wang who have successfully delivered the 10,000th baby, through past health inspection and evaluation, their physician had informed them of the higher risk of pregnancy complications and the more complicated treatment procedures due to their advanced age and other reasons. Their physician had also informed them of the government's "Expanded Subsidy for infertility treatment (IVF) Program". Having cooperated adequately with the physician, and submitted online applications for subsidies with the assistance of the hospital, they were able to deliver a healthy full-term baby. The subsidy has also lightened their financial burden. The pair is looking forward to sharing their experience so that more couples can view infertility positively and take advantage of the IVF Subsidy.

Promoting Health, the Chances of Single Live Birth Reaches up to 90% for Single or Double Embryo Transfer

Since transfers of multiple embryos are prone to multiple gestational pregnancies, premature births, and low birth weights, the international trend encourages a reduction in the number of embryos implanted. Through the IVF Subsidy Program, infertile couples are encouraged to undertake single or double embryo transfer in their treatments. The rate of singleton live births among subsidized couples reached 88.0%, and the rate of full-term birth (duration of pregnancy≧37 weeks) reached 74.7%. 76.1% of the newborns have a birth weight greater than or equal to 2500 grams. In comparison to the result statistics of assisted reproduction in 2020, the rates of singleton live births, full-term births, and birth weights of 2500 grams or more showed improvements of 12.3%, 10.0%, and 9.7%, respectively, indicating a positive trend in maternal and newborn health.

Take Advantage of the ideal child-bearing age of "25 to 35 years", Planning a Healthy Pregnancy

Fertility declines with age. The MOHW urges couples to make reproductive plans sooner rather than later. It is recommended that couples who have had a regular sexual life for over a year and yet have not conceived a baby seek medical advice as soon as possible. If a medical diagnosis shows that IVF treatment is necessary, as long as either spouse is a citizen of Republic of China and the wife is under the age of 45, the couple is eligible for the IVF subsidies. Applications for the subsidy can be made at assisted reproduction institutions approved by the HPA in Taiwan. The application procedures and related information can be found in the In-Vitro Fertilization Zone on HPA’s official website (https://reurl.cc/zerX07), or call HPA's Assisted Reproduction Consultation hotline at 02-25580900, and a professional staff member will respond to queries immediately.

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Nine months in effect: Amendment of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act / Continuing Comprehensive Inspections to Curb Sales of Illegal Tobacco Products

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:34:47 GMT

　　The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act was amended and implemented on March 22, 2023. It deems that various tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco products that haven’t been approved through the health risk assessment review are illegal products. Manufacturing, importing, selling, supplying, displaying, advertising, and using such products are strictly prohibited, with violators facing heavy penalties according to the law.

　　The central and local governments are conducting intensified inspections of illegal products collaboratively. According to data from the Health Promotion Administration (HPA), as of December 31, 2023, over 270,000 inspections – both physical and online – on items, business and individuals have been conducted. For illegal activities with completed administrative procedures, 579 disciplinary citations were issued, encompassing 129 cases related to electronic cigarettes, 219 cases related to heated tobacco products, and 231 cases related to the use of electronic cigarettes or heated tobacco products. The cumulative fine amount reached NT$33.43 million. The HPA calls on businesses or sellers not to take chances and violate relevant provisions of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. The HPA continues to collaborating with health bureaus in 22 counties and cities, conducting intensified inspections of violators and imposing fines in accordance with the law. The results of investigations into electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco are regularly disclosed on the official website of the HPA.

Assisting Online Platforms in Taking Down Illegal Products: Facebook, Instagram, and Ruten Accounted for 90% of Illegal Products Sold Online

　　The competent central government agencies and health bureaus of local governments continue to collaborate on inspecting and cracking down on illegal products, conducting physical and online inspections simultaneously. Physical inspections cover various locations such as physical storefronts (365 suspected illegal businesses nationwide), night market vendors, home delivery or door to door sales, as well as sales near the vicinity of school campuses. Online inspections include e-commerce platforms and social media, focusing on operating or sales activities (e.g., selling, displaying illegal products) and advertising methods (e.g., signs displayed by physical stores, information on online sales pages). Penalties for advertising violations can be up to NT$50 million (manufacturers or importers of illegal advertisements face a maximum penalty of NT$50 million; advertiser, mass media operators, and commissioned producers face a maximum fine of NT$2 million), and the maximum penalty for illegal sales is NT$1 million.

　　For online platforms and online social media groups (including Shopee, Ruten, Carousell, MOMO, Instagram, Facebook, PChome, YouTube, Dcard, 7-Eleven MyShip, FamiShop, and self-hosted websites), the HPA provides keyword monitoring to assist platform operators in establishing self-monitoring and takedown mechanisms. While some operators have cooperated and implemented self-management measures, statistical data indicates that a small number of operators have yet to improve their practices. From March 22 to December 31, 2023, over 70% of the monitored suspected illegal cases on the Internet were mainly found on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Ruten. In fact, these three platforms accounted for as much as 90% of the cases in the past three months alone. The HPA, in collaboration with local government health bureaus, will continue to monitor and inspect violators, and transfer the case to health bureaus for determination.

Businesses and Sellers Should Adhere to the Law, and Avoid Breaking the Law

　　With the enforcement of the amended Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act for over 9 months, the close and concerted collaboration between central and local governments has led to continuous and intensified inspections for both online and in physical stores, showing no signs of slowing down even as the lunar year is around the corner. The HPA calls on business operators and sellers to adhere to the law. Furthermore, it recommends that operators of online e-commerce platforms implement robust management and review mechanisms to prevent their members from submitting false personal information. Operators are advised to conduct self-audits and promptly remove any products found in violation so as not to violate the law.

　　The HPA also reminds the public not to use, purchase, and promote illegal products. If any violations of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act are observed, individuals can report the specific evidence to their respective local health bureau or by calling the toll-free Complaints on Tobacco Hazards Hotline (0800-531531) from a landline.

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Eight Taiwanese Hospitals Received International Tobacco-Free Hospital Golden Awards in 2023 Secures Over 60% of Global Awards

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 13:18:09 GMT

The Global Network for Tobacco Free Healthcare Services (GNTH) announced the “2023 International Golden Awards for Tobacco-Free Hospitals” in September of this year (2023), and 12 hospitals worldwide were awarded. The Health Promotion Administration (HPA) of the MOHW recommended eight hospitals to participate in the gold award competition, with all eight nominated hospitals honored with the international gold award. The awarded hospitals are as follows: Cathay General Hospital in Xizhi, New Taipei City Hospital, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Tung’s Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Jiali Chi-Mei Hospital, and Kaohsiung Municipal United Hospital.
The GNTH was established in 1999 and has since garnered enthusiastic participation from over 1,400 member institutions (medical facilities) spanning 14 countries. Taiwan applied for membership in 2011, establishing the first network in the Asia-Pacific region. Presently, Taiwan proudly holds 217 hospitals as members, with 40 hospitals having previously received the prestigious international gold award.

Distinctive Smoking Cessation Services with Remarkable Achievements
The HPA encourages hospitals each year to conduct self-assessments based on GNTH’s 8 Global Standards (Governance and Commitment, Communication, Education and Training, Identification/Diagnosis and Tobacco Cessation Support, Tobacco-Free Environment, Healthy Workplace, Community Engagement, Monitoring and Evaluation), and also actively engaging in the international gold award certification. The recognized features and highlights of the eight awarded hospitals this year (2023) are as follows:
1.Cathay General Hospital: Utilizing matrix management to drive tobacco-free policies, the hospital focuses on six major service groups—outpatient, inpatient, employees, campuses, communities, and workplaces. They provide resources for smoking cessation and health promotion, fostering tobacco-free health awareness and accumulating overall community health capital.
2.New Taipei City Hospital: Actively promotes smoking cessation services for both outpatient and inpatient cases. Through employee engagement and incentive measures, they achieve proactive referrals, enhancing the objectives of smoking cessation services.
3.Far Eastern Memorial Hospital: Utilizes a smart information system for smoking identification and automatic referrals across teams. The hospital extends a smoke-free culture from the hospital to schools and communities, creating a sustainable tobacco-free environment for all ages.
4.Taichung Veterans General Hospital: Implements the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC), integrating it with five major departments dealing with chronic diseases to promote on-site smoking cessation services. They emphasize personalized approaches to smoking cessation treatment, fostering a health-friendly medical environment.
5.Tung’s Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital: Integrates medical, nursing, and administrative resources, ensures a tobacco-free building environment, promotes community and school education, and provides localized smoking cessation services.
6.St. Joseph’s Hospital: Fully supports a hospital-wide tobacco-free policy, actively promotes employee smoking prevention education and cessation incentives, fostering a tobacco-free environment and enhancing public health initiatives.
7.Jiali Chi-Mei Hospital: Combines lung cancer screenings and offers on-site smoking cessation for smokers identified during screenings, reducing the harm of smoking on the lungs.
8.Kaohsiung Municipal United Hospital: Provides individualized and family-oriented smoking cessation services for pregnant women and cohabitating family members. The hospital partners with smoke-free taxi fleets for smoke-free medical travel, incorporating smart technology for advocacy and offering communication channels (quit-smoking hotline) for those seeking to quit smoking.

International Exchange of Tobacco-Free Hospitals Enhances Taiwan’s Global Visibility
In September of this year (2023), the GNTH hosted the “Global Network (Online) Seminar and Gold Award Forum,” where eight recognized hospitals from Taiwan were invited to attend online to receive awards and share their experiences in promoting tobacco-free hospitals. Simultaneously, Taiwan’s network director (Dr. Lin Chi-Wei from the Departments of Family Medicine of E-Da Hospital) was invited to represent Taiwan at the Gold Award Forum. Apart from encouraging awarded hospitals in Taiwan to engage with network members from other countries to exchange achievements in our smoke-free hospitals, the forum also facilitated the sharing of Taiwan's efforts and accomplishments in tobacco control policies.

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HPV Vaccines Prevent Over 70% of Cervical Cancers Secure the Future of Your Loved Ones with the HPV Vaccine

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 15:27:00 GMT

HPV Vaccines Prevent Over 70% of Cervical Cancers
Secure the Future of Your Loved Ones with the HPV Vaccine
Cervical cancer is the 10th most common cancer among women in Taiwan, with 1,436 new cases in 2020 and 608 deaths in 2021. The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. There are no clear symptoms in most cases of HPV infection, and 90% of all HPV infections clear up within one year; an infection that persists for more than one year is called a “persistent infection”. There is currently no medical cure for HPV infection, making prevention and vaccination all the more important. All three HPV vaccines approved for use by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration can prevent 70% of the high-risk HPV strains (types 16 and 18). Research has also shown that HPV vaccines protect against HPV infection for at least eight years.
According to recommendations given by the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of the HPV vaccine in girls aged 9-14 is more effective in preventing infection due to the lack of sexual activity. In December 2018, the Health Promotion Administration began promoting HPV vaccination in female junior high school students, achieving a vaccination rate of 77.6% among newly admitted female junior high school students in 2018, 88.1% in 2019, 86.6% in 2020, and 92.0% in 2021. Vaccination is encouraged for all who are eligible in order to build a line of defense against the virus.

Please read the HPV column before getting your HPV vaccine
To help the general public learn more about the role, safety, and effectiveness of HPV vaccines, the Health Promotion Administration includes HPV under the Topics section on its website (https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/List.aspx?nodeid=212) that includes a health education handbook, a leaflet, infographics, and videos on HPV vaccines. Using these resources, parents can learn more about HPV vaccines and talk about them knowledgeably with their children. If you have any questions regarding HPV vaccines, please call the national HPV vaccine hotline at 0800-88-3513 ; you can also fax us at 04-2310-6667 for services for the hearing- or speech impaired. Vaccination can proceed after the patient’s consent is obtained and after the patient is assessed by a physician to be suitable for vaccination. After getting vaccinated, please wait at least 30 minutes before leaving the vaccination site. The most common symptoms after vaccination include redness and soreness at the injection site, as well as dizziness and headache; most of these symptoms are short-lived and are mild to moderate in severity. Please notify the physician in case of further discomfort. If you have any related questions, please call the national HPV vaccine hotline at 0800-88-3513.

Free Pap test for eligible women
Research has also shown that although HPV vaccines do protect against certain HPV strains, they cannot fully prevent cervical cancer. It is therefore necessary for those who are sexually active to practice safe sex, use condoms correctly, and go in for a regular Pap test screening. The Health Promotion Administration offers subsidized Pap tests to women over 30 years old, who are eligible for one free screening per year. It is recommended that women undergo screening at least once every three years. Eligible women are encouraged to make use of this free service; remember, it only takes six minutes to protect your health!

Media inquiries:Li-Ju Lin, Director
Cancer Prevention and Control Division
Tel: 0979-305-076; 02-2522-0770

HPV vaccine specialists: Yhu-Chering Huang, M.D.
Taiwan Immunization Vision and Strategy
Tel: 0975-365-934

Jian-Pei Huang, M.D.
Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Tel: 0975-835-325

Chun-Chih Peng, M.D.
Taiwan Pediatric Association
Tel: 0975-835-412

Media contact:Yung-Chih Yeh, Technical Specialist
Surveillance, Research and Health Education Division
Tel: 0972-725-705; 02-2522-0585

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Amendment to Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act effective from March 22, 2023

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:26:34 GMT

Amendment to Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act effective from March 22, 2023
With authorities started the crackdown on an expanded line of illegal products—the public and businesses are urged to review their practice in case of violation!

The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") had not undergone a comprehensive revision for over 15 years. With the emergence of electronic cigarettes and new types of tobacco products, the existing regulatory framework had become insufficient to protect public health, especially among young people. To curb this lawlessness, the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare (HPA) began amending the Act, which was passed by the Legislative Yuan on January 12, 2023, and promulgated by Presidential decree on February 15, 2023. The Act came into effect on March 22, 2023. We urge the public and businesses to refrain from violating the provisions of the new law.

Key amendments to the Act include:
A full ban on the manufacture, import, sell, supply, display, advertising, and use of all types of imitation tobacco product, including electronic cigarettes. In terms of designated tobacco products (including heated tobacco products), before their manufacturing or importation, businesses must apply for a health risk assessment review to the Ministry of Health and Welfare in accordance with Article 7 Paragraph 3 of the Act, and follow the specified procedures (effective from March 22, 2023). Essential components for the use of designated tobacco products must also be submitted for review. As the health risk assessment review procedures for designated tobacco products are implemented simultaneously with this Act, products not approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, including heated tobacco products, are prohibited as of March 22, 2023. The HPA will collaborate with local governments to strengthen inspections of the market and online platforms, imposing legal penalties on violators.

Other key amendments to the Act:
1. Expanding the no smoking area to include indoor and outdoor public places, such as universities, kindergartens, childcare centers, and home-based childcare facilities. Smoking is not allowed outside independent air-conditioned and partitioned smoking room at bars and nightclubs with areas.
2. Raising the legal smoking age to 20.
3. Increasing the warning label size on cigarette packs to 50%.
4. Prohibiting the use of additives that have been publicly announced as prohibited by the central governing authority.
5. Imposing heavier penalties.

Authorities start cracking down on an expanded line of illegal products

Given the proliferation of electronic cigarettes, novel and emerging tobacco products
(including heated tobacco), and their essential components in physical stores and online, the lack of corresponding legal framework had made enforcement challenging. But from now on, the HPA can collaborate with local health authorities to crack down on those products and activities in accordance with the law. The targeted channels include physical stores, mobile vendors at night markets, home delivery or door-to-door sales, sales near school premises, online platforms, and online communities. Business operations and activities (such as the sale or display of illegal products) and advertising methods (such as signage at physical stores and information on online sales pages) are the main areas for inspections. Businesses and vendors are urged not to take chances, and online e-commerce platforms are encouraged to establish rigorous management and review mechanisms, to verify the personal information provided by their members and promptly remove non-compliant products in case of violating the law.

Furthermore, the public is reminded not to use, purchase, or recommend illegal products. If violations of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act are observed, individuals are encouraged to provide material evidence and report incidents to their local health authority or call the toll-free tobacco hazards consultation and reporting hotline at 0800-531531.]]>

The first “Dad’s Handbook” to help expectant fathers become super dads

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:43:00 GMT

Giving birth and parenting are two of life's most significant events. On the path of pregnancy and parenting, it is indispensable that a couple care for and support each other. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), if partners are able to support each other during pregnancy, in addition to lessening discomfort, the likelihood of premature birth is lowered due to the pregnant women being in a more positive physical and mental state.

For expectant fathers to be more involved in their partner’s pregnancy to embrace the joy and challenges of parenthood, the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare (HPA) has released the first ever “Dad's Pregnancy and Parenting Health Handbook.” This handbook intends to teach couples on how to support each other on the journey from pregnancy to the child’s birth, enable them to jointly overcome the physical and mental changes during pregnancy, and equip them with the basic knowledge about parenting.

A handbook with five key highlights to assist expectant fathers in pregnancy care and parenting

To convey pregnancy care knowledge and parenting techniques to expectant fathers, the HPA specifically prepared materials from the dad’s perspective, responding to their situations and needs. Not only inputs from experts of all fields are also solicited, but international practices and feedback from multiple seminars are also incorporated. After nearly a year of work, the “Dad's Pregnancy and Parenting Health Handbook” is finally completed. This handbook is a comprehensive guide encompassing a collection of practical instructions specifically for expectant fathers, with the following five main highlights:

Father-specific materials: To meet the needs of expectant fathers, the handbook incorporated the professional knowledge and clinical experiences of field experts and scholars to address the difficulties shared among father focal groups in caring for their partner during pregnancy, delivery, and childcare. Relevant health education materials are thereby organized and compiled in this handbook.
Graphic-rich content for readability: The handbook is concisely written with graphical illustrations, presenting vital information in tables or graphs that are easy to read and understand. Fathers can apply those tips to real-life situations in no time.
Handy checklists for self-assessment: Through the “household chores checklist”, the “baby safe sleep environment checklist”, the “baby care competence checklist”, and other tools provided in the handbook, fathers can check if they have missed anything and be reminded of their tasks in case they lose track, equipping them to become super dads.
All about pregnancy care and parenting: The handbook contains nine chapters, covering every stage from pregnancy, giving birth, to those after the baby’s arrival. Everything a father needs to know or prepare for is included, so the father always knows what to look for throughout his child's growth.
Not missing out on parenting resources: The links to existing public parenting resources are categorized and provided in QR code under each chapter, saving dads’ time searching elsewhere for those resources.

“Dad’s Pregnancy and Parenting Health Handbook” completed with the concerted efforts of relevant professionals.

In 2022, the HPA published the new ''Dad's Pregnancy and Parenting Health Handbook”. Information on pregnancy care and parenting is provided by harnessing the expertise across medical, social, and psychological fields, allowing novice fathers to better understand the responsibility and function of fatherhood and helping them become great dads. In addition, send a text message to the HPA Facebook Fan Page (https://www.facebook.com/hpagov) or leave a post for suggestions regarding the "Dad's Pregnancy and Parenting Health Handbook" in order to assist the HPA in refining the handbook's content. To learn more about the "Dad's Pregnancy and Parenting Health Handbook", please visit the Health 99+ website (https://health99.hpa.gov.tw/material/7426) of the HPA to download.

Dad’s Pregnancy and Parenting Health Handbook

Relevant links:

【Health 99+ website - Mommy’s Good Pregnancy Section】

https://health99.hpa.gov.tw/theme/5

【Maternity Care Website】

https://mammy.hpa.gov.tw/

【Maternity Care Fan Page】

https://www.facebook.com/mammy.hpa/

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Expanding Engagements in the Asia-Pacific Region, Promoting Public Health Personnel Training, and Establishing Regional Partnerships! HPA Holds Asia-Pacific Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Workshop

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 09:55:48 GMT

　　The Health Promotion Administration (HPA) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health - Collaborating Centers Health Promotion (APACPH CCHP) organized the “2023 Asia Pacific Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Workshop,” at the College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, and successfully concluded on July 20, 2023. The workshop invited four distinguished speakers: Mr. Choon Hong Tay, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Promotion Board, Ministry of Health, Singapore; Dr. Yik Ying Teo, Dean of the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health; Dr. Masamine Jimba, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo, Japan; and Mr. Chih-Cheng Hsu, Deputy Director of the Institute of Population Health Sciences at the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) in Taiwan, along with other national and international officials and scholars. Over a hundred experts, scholars, and health officials from 15 countries participated in this workshop.

　　Established in 1984, the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) is the largest and most influential non-profit international organization and dedicated to improving professional education for public health. The HPA and APACPH jointly established the Collaborating Centres for Health Promotion (CCHP) in 2017, with the main objective of enhancing the core competencies of health promotion for public health professionals in the Asia-Pacific region. CCHP has organized more than 20 international seminars/forums, education and training workshops as well as related events both domestically and internationally, with the aim to enhance Taiwan’s visibility in the Asia-Pacific and the New Southbound Policy countries, to promote the cultivation of public health professionals, and to build strong regional partnerships.

Government-Academia Collaboration to Enhance Health Promotion, Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, and Empowerment of Public Health Workforce

　　The workshop invited four official representatives and scholars from Singapore's Health Promotion Board, the National University of Singapore, the University of Tokyo, and Taiwan's National Health Research Institutes. The main focus of the workshop was on the policy-making and case study development of NCDs, as well as the six core competencies of health promotion. During the event, the distinguished speakers shared insights from their respective countries on the health promotion and prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Mr. Tay Choon Hong, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Promotion Board, Singapore, shared insights on how to leverage health promotion policies, multi-sectoral collaboration, and big data technology to create a healthier nation. Dr. Yik Ying Teo, Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, emphasized the importance of partnerships between government officials and academia in jointly developing evidence-based public policies. Prof. Masamine Jimba from the University of Tokyo explained how the field of population health sciences can be applied in policy development and case studies related to NCDs. Mr. Chih-Cheng Hsu, Deputy Director of the Institute of Community Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, MOHW, shared Taiwan's precision health community practices to meet the challenges of a super-aged society. After the presentations, the guests engaged in in-depth discussions on policy development and practices with the scholars and health officials of Taiwan.

Mutual Learning Through the CCHP Platform for Global Action Against NCDs

　　Dr. Chao-Chun Wu, Director-General of the Health Promotion Administration, noted that this workshop featured official and academic perspectives from three top Asian countries. Mutual exchanges and learning is achieved through the CCHP platform, which can help broaden the international perspectives of Taiwan’s health officials and all local and international participants, which promotes global collaboration in combating non-communicable diseases. Dr. Wu expressed his hope for more collaboration and interactions among all participants in the future.

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Taiwan’s “Four Nos” Dementia-Friendly Policy Recognized with “Health Gold Award”

Fri, 26 May 2023 09:56:23 GMT

In response to the theme of World Alzheimer’s Month 2022, “Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s,” Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched the “Online Fitness Class / Student of Perfect Attendance: Yi-Ge”(憶哥健身篇), a fun and entertaining microfilm to promote dementia awareness and a dementia-friendly society, featuring Olympic gold medalist Hsing-Chun Kuo(郭婞淳) and veteran actor Jeffery Hsu (許傑輝).
The campaign is jointly advocated by Pi-Sheng Wang, Deputy Minister of MOHW, and Hsi-Wen Wu, Deputy Director of the Department of Long-Term Care, MOHW, and HPA Director-General Chao-Chun Wu, dementia-friendly spokesperson Hsing-Chun Kuo and Jeffery Hsu. Through the theme “Be the Gold Medalist of Your Own Health”, the dementia-friendly microfilm encourages people to build a proper understanding of dementia, and to convey the four main principles of a dementia-friendly environment: “Don’t ignore the ten warning signs”, “Seek early medical treatment without delay”, “Recognize and understand without discrimination”, and “Support each other and prevent loneliness”, to create a dementia-friendly Taiwan!

Dementia-Friendly Microfilm – Premiere of “Online Fitness Class / Student Of Perfect Attendance: Yi-Ge”
Director-General Wu of HPA called on the public to foster a correct understanding of dementia and to start with the four “No’s” - “Don’t ignore,” “no delay,” “no discrimination,” and “no loneliness” - to grasp timely diagnosis and early medical treatment. At the press conference for the launch of the “Be the Gold Medalist of Your Own Health” dementia-friendly microfilm, Ms. Hsing-Chun Kuo held up the “Top 10 Warning Signs of Dementia” to remind the public to identify if they or their friends and family have any of the signs and symptoms. In addition, Mr. Jeffery Hsu, a popular actor who played the role of “Brother Pineapple” in a TV drama, starred in this microfilm as “Yi-Ge” and explained the key knowledge of dementia in an entertaining dialogue with Ms. Kuo, who played the role of a coach.
Taiwan’s dementia resources have been established for more than a decade. The Long Term Care 2.0 program covers citizens who have dementia and are over 50 years old. After assessment by the long-term care management centers in each county and city, those who meet the level of disability can be provided with in-home care services, day care, family care, professional services, rental and purchase of auxiliary aids, improvement of the barrier-free environment at home, transportation and respite care services according to actual needs. As of the end of 2022, there were 684 A-level units and 7,432 special contracted units for care services. Furthermore, for those suffering from dementia but not yet disabled, the capacity of dementia care services has been actively enhanced, and 535 community service bases and 117 joint care centers for dementia patients have been set up.
Since 2018, HPA has been actively promoting the creation of dementia-friendly communities, fostering a dementia-friendly living network from community police officers, drivers, village and borough chiefs, building managers, front-line workers in workplaces, shopping malls, and stores, and people of the community, with the aim of enhancing the concept of dementia-friendliness in the nation. As of 2022, the number of people who have been reached through the promotion campaign totaled 1.9 million, accounting for 8.5% of the total population, the number of dementia-friendly communities has reached 94, as well as 11,000 dementia-friendly organizations and the recruitment of 453,000 dementia-friendly angels, which is a remarkable achievement.
Mutual Support and Warmth, Fostering a Dementia-Friendly and Healthy Taiwan!
Ms. Hsing-Chun Kuo and Mr. Jeffery Hsu, each the frontrunners in their respective fields of weightlifting and film & drama, jointly starred in the “Online Fitness Class / Student of Perfect Attendance: Yi-Ge” dementia-friendly microfilm. A behind-the-scenes interview with the two spokespersons has also been released to remind the public of the importance of paying attention to the warning signs of dementia and timely diagnosis. In addition, Ms. Kuo, who has always been enthusiastic about public causes and donation drives, made a special donation to the Taiwan Alzheimer Disease Association, hoping to set an example and raise awareness of the plight of people with dementia and their caregivers, to encourage more initiatives to support people with dementia and their families, and to exemplify the spirit of “together, we can do more”, promoting a caring and inclusive dementia-friendly environment and create a dementia-friendly Taiwan!

Extended Reading:

[Online Fitness Class / Student of Perfect Attendance: Yi-Ge]

5-minute full video:
Mandarin Chinese: https://youtu.be/rKUVQzewuKs
English: https://reurl.cc/5MeM0z

30-second highlight version:
Mandarin Chinese: https://youtu.be/vUSkMkRSf90
English:https://reurl.cc/9VMVdx

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Abnormal Colorectal Cancer Screening Results Without Colonoscopy Increases Colorectal Cancer Mortality Risk by 64%!

Mon, 08 May 2023 09:56:27 GMT

According to the latest Taiwan Cancer Registry data, colorectal cancer has been the most common cancer for 14 consecutive years, with a new case diagnosed every thirty minutes. To mitigate the risk of colorectal cancer among the general population, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) provides scientifically validated quantitative fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for people aged between 50 and 74. Screening is conducted once every two years, which has been shown to effectively reduce colorectal cancer mortality by 35%. Colorectal cancer is often preventable, and early detection offers a good prognosis for successful treatment. The public is advised to undergo FIT as the initial step. In cases where the results are abnormal, scheduling a colonoscopy as soon as possible is recommended to avoid missing the opportunity for medical treatment.

It is crucial to undergo a follow-up colonoscopy after receiving abnormal screening results.

Chiu Han-Mo, a physician and professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at National Taiwan University, has emphasized that individuals with abnormal FIT results are 20–30 times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than the general population. Furthermore, failure to undergo a colonoscopy, identify symptoms, and treat them could increase colorectal cancer mortality rates by 64%. To maintain bowel health, it is crucial to undergo regular fecal occult blood tests, and if abnormal results are found, a subsequent colonoscopy should not be ignored. The HPA strongly urges eligible individuals to have regular screenings for colorectal cancer. If the FIT results are abnormal, it is essential to have a subsequent colonoscopy to detect polyps and early-stage cancer. The progression of precancerous lesions and cancers should be halted as soon as possible.

Abnormal screening results and delayed colonoscopy examinations increase the likelihood of developing cancer.

The survival rate for early-stage colorectal cancer is high, with a 5-year survival rate of over 90%, whereas stage 4 colorectal cancer has a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. In addition, research has shown that delayed diagnosis of colorectal cancer in individuals with abnormal screening results significantly increases their risk of developing the disease. Those who undergo a colonoscopy more than a year after receiving abnormal results have a 2.8-fold increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Individuals with abnormal screening results are advised to undergo a colonoscopy within six months. If your screening results are abnormal, which means you are in a high-risk group for polups or colorectal cancer, it is crucial to undergo a colonoscopy promptly. During the procedure, polyps can be removed, eliminating the need for additional surgery.

Avoiding risk factors and saying “no” to colorectal cancer.

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer include being overweight, a lack of physical activity, smoking, and having a family history of the disease. Regular physical activity is recommended to boost the body's metabolism, along with a diet rich in fresh, high-fiber vegetables and fruits, in order to improve gastrointestinal motility. It is advisable to avoid consuming red meat, processed meat, and high-fat cuts.

While combating the pandemic, cancer prevention should not be overlooked. Most medical institutions provide a FIT kit, which can be obtained by presenting a National Health Insurance Card. Stool specimens can be collected at home and submitted afterward, making the procedure straightforward and risk-free without the need for an extended stay in the medical institution. Given that the incidence of colorectal cancer rises with age, routine screening is the only way to maintain bowel health, prevent colorectal cancer, and ward off colorectal cancer!

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2023 International Rare Disease Day: Supporting Rare Disease Families with Love and Expertise

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 11:00:00 GMT

　　The last day of February is International Rare Disease Day, a special day in a unique month, symbolizing the special significance of rare diseases. Initiated by the European Organization for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), this year's theme focuses on equality, with the intention of creating an equitable and accessible healthcare environment for rare disease patients in light of the fact that rare disease patients are more likely to experience healthcare inequality, misdiagnosis, and isolation. Taiwan has been strengthening its care for rare disease patients since the implementation of the " Rare Disease and Orphan Drug Act " in 2000, becoming the fifth country in the world to provide legislative protection for rare diseases. As the number of announced rare disease types and patients increases yearly, the efforts in integrating medical and social resources, support service systems, and the general public for a professional and caring environment for rare diseases have become an indispensable part of implementing the Act.

A rare disease care service network based on government and private sector collaboration

　　Since December 2017, the Health Promotion Administration has partnered with medical institutions to implement the "Rare Disease Care Program." To date, it has cooperated with 13 hospitals across Taiwan, establishing accessible and interdisciplinary rare disease care service teams in the north, central, south, and eastern regions of Taiwan. With the consent of the patient or their legal representative, the teams provide services to rare disease patients and their families. The core care services include care consultation, explanation of disease impact on everyday life, psychological support, and fertility care. The teams also help connect patients with National Health Insurance home-based medical care, long-term care services, social welfare, and patient support groups, creating an active, accessible, and professional care network to alleviate the physical and emotional stress on rare disease families. As of January 2023, over 7,000 rare disease families have received the relevant services.

Supporting rare disease families in remote areas and opening the door to happiness

　　A little girl named Ai, who lives in a remote area of eastern Taiwan, was diagnosed with a rare amino acid metabolic disorder at birth. Her parents' joy was immediately replaced by despair, questioning "why did it happen to my child?" Upon receiving the case, the eastern region's rare disease care team promptly activated the care mechanism and connected the appropriate medical and social welfare resources that, greatly reduced the family's anxiety. As Ai grew, the care plan was also adjusted accordingly, and volunteer accompaniment service as well as a variety of outings and patient activities were arranged. This provided relief to Ai's father, who is also her full-time caregiver, and helped him feel the support from fellow patients. Ai is now five years old, and her parents are grateful for the care and companionship the rare disease care team provides.

　　Another patient, Mr. Huang, who lives on an offshore island, shares a similar experience. At the age of 16, he was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a condition that gradually causes loss of function in the hands and feet due to degeneration of peripheral nerves. The Kao-Ping region’s care team responsible for his care provided telephone support and accompanied him during regular check-ups. They also conducted annual home visits to assess his rehabilitation and medication. In collaboration with community pharmacists, they provided medication assistance and care nearby, ensuring the quality of care was not compromised by transportation and distance. After graduating last year, the care team helped Mr. Huang connect with local employment resources, develop a customized vocational training plan, and find suitable job opportunities. As Mr. Huang transitioned from a student to a fresh graduate, the rare disease care team continued to provide practical help and psychological support.

With the dedication of the care teams for families with rare diseases, we call for public participation

　　The Director General of the Health Promotion Administration, Dr. Chao-Chun Wu, stated that the treatment and care of rare diseases is a long-term and lifelong process. He expressed his gratitude to the members of the rare disease care teams for their dedication and passion for rare disease patients and families. To make the rare disease care network more comprehensive, on the eve of International Rare Disease Day, Director General Wu called on civil organizations and the general public to join and support rare disease families. “By sharing a word of encouragement or a gesture, we can help patients and families to feel the warmth of our society,” he added. It is hoped that the positive energy of supporting rare diseases will continue to spread, becoming a powerful source of support for rare disease families.

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A brief introduction of the Health 99 Educational Website

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT

The Health 99 Education Website (referred to as "Health 99" below) was established by the Department of Health in October 1998 with the aim of enhancing the public's health education level. In 2001, the Health Promotion Administration of the Department of Health was established, and its Health Education Center subsequently took over the management of the Health 99 website. At the same time, the Department of Health requested that it be positioned as the largest website for national health education, providing accurate and timely health information and knowledge to the public and health educators. The Health 99 website not only provides online health education materials, downloads, but also offers online videos.

The website provides a variety of health information, including:

A) Latest News: Collecting the latest health-related articles every day.

B) Theme Galleries: Coordinating and promoting health education policies, and establishing relevant theme galleries each year. Currently, there are 11 galleries including tobacco control, adolescent health, chronic disease prevention and control, child health, nutrition and diet, pregnancy and pre-pregnancy, physical exercise, cancer prevention and treatment, environmental quality improvement for health promotion, menopause health care, and improving the living environment for the elderly.

C) Educational Materials: Providing health promotion-related teaching materials.

D) Health Check-ups: Self-checks related to health.

E) Expert Articles: Health-related articles reviewed by experts.

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The Percentage of Singleton Live Births with the Aid of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Subsidy Increased by 12.2%

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 14:53:21 GMT

Since multiple-embryo transfer is prone to multiple pregnancy, premature births, and low birth weights, the Executive Yuan has expanded the eligibility of IVF subsidies to cover all infertile couples since July 1, 2021. Under the aid of the IVF subsidies, the economic burden of IVF treatment on infertile couples is lightened. It is also encouraged that the number of embryos transferred be reduced. The percentage of singleton live births among subsidized couples’ live births was 87.9%, an increase of 12.2% compared to 75.7% in 2020 when the IVF subsidies were not expanded.

Single Embryo Transfer Has Become an International Trend in Assisted Reproduction

The international trend encourages the reduction in the number of embryos transferred in an IVF cycle. According to the “World Report 2017” published by the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART), more than 90% of all embryo transfer cycles in Northern America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and other regions transferred less than 2 embryos. Besides that, single frozen embryo transfer takes up 92.1% of the frozen embryo transfer cycles in New Zealand and Australia. Asia, as the runner-up, has a rate of 77.2%, followed by Northern America, with a rate of 63.6%. In addition, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine encourages women under the age of 35, and patients with more viable embryos, to undertake single embryo transfer. Single embryo transfer has become an international trend in assisted reproduction.

Based on solid evidence, multiple pregnancy is associated with a higher incidence of pregnancy complications, premature births, low birth weights, and fetal deaths. Taking the international trend and authoritative advice from Taiwanese experts in assisted reproductive technology into considerations, subsidized wives under the age of 35 are restricted to transferring one embryo in an IVF cycle, and those between the ages of 36 and 44 are restricted to transferring two embryos in an IVF cycles.

Single Embryo Transfer and Multiple-Embryo Transfer Have Similar Live Birth Rates

According to “The Assisted Reproductive Technology Summary 2020 National Report in Taiwan” statistics on the IVF cycles of nationals with partners’ sperm and egg, the live birth rate for single embryo transfer was 34.8%, and the live birth rate for multiple-embryos transfer was 35.1%. These live birth rates are similar. In addition, from July 1, 2021 to September 25, 2022, couples subsidized have successfully delivered 4,751 babies, of which 87.9% were singleton live births.

The Taiwanese Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses single embryo transfer and the risks of multiple pregnancy on their website. Likewise, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) calls for single embryo transfer to be undertaken by infertile couples who are receiving IVF treatment, in order to reduce the risks to maternal and newborn health.

Take Advantage of the Best Reproductive Years before 35

Fertility declines with age. The HPA urges couples to make birth plans sooner rather than later. It is recommended that couples who have regular unprotected sexual intercourse for over a year, yet have not conceived a baby, should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If medical diagnosis shows that IVF treatment is necessary, as long as one person between the couples is a citizen of Taiwan, and the wife is under the age of 45, they are eligible for the IVF subsidies. The application can be made at assisted reproduction institutions contracting with the Health Promotion Administration in Taiwan. The application procedures and related information can be found in the In-Vitro Fertilization Zone on HPA’s official website (https://reurl.cc/zerX07), or call HPA's Assisted Reproduction Consultation hotline 02-25580900 for immediate response.

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“2022 Quitline in Smoking Cessation for Youth Online International Conference” Facilitates Experience Sharing to Help Youth Quit Smoking

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 18:02:43 GMT

Many people signed up for this international conference. 213 attendees consist of officers from city/county health bureaus and education bureaus as well as relevant experts and scholars considering that the earlier youth start smoking, the higher their nicotine dependence. With the experience from foreign countries, we can further improve our country's ability to use the Quitline to help youth quit smoking.
Higher cessation rate with professional assistance
Established in 2003, the “Taiwan National Quitline (0800636363)” is composed of professionals in psychological counseling, counseling, social work and education. It provides free smoking cessation consultation services and assists those who want to quit smoking to formulate smoking cessation strategies and plans. In recent years, an online communication service (LINE ID: @tsh0800636363) has been added to make the service more accesible. Currently, nearly 40% of those seeking assistance have succeeded in smoking cessation. HPA also cooperates with medical institutions and health bureaus to refer cases with smoking cessation intentions. As of the end of September in 2022, the Quitline had served a total of 20,617 people, including 223 youth. Since 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the way people seek medical treatment has changed, as they no longer rely solely on outpatient services for smoking cessation. The Quitline service by the HPA enables people to seek cessation assistance in a personalized and private manner, thus motivating more to begin and succeed in their quiting endeavor.

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7 of 16 Tobacco-Free Hospitals Winning International GOLD Award Came from Taiwan

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 17:56:56 GMT

The Global Network for Tobacco Free Healthcare Services (GNTH) announced the winners of 2022 International Golden Award in October 2022. A total of 16 hospitals received International Golden Award, and all of the seven hospitals recommended by the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) to participate in the certification won the award. The award-winning hospitals are Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, MacKay Memorial Hospital Tamsui Branch, Hsinchu Cathay General Hospital, Ten-Chan General Hospital, Chi Mei Hospital Liouying, Chi Mei Medical Center, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital. Among them, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital has the honor of receiving this award for the second time.

Established in 1999, GNTH has seen the participation of 1,400 members (medical institutes) from 14 countries around the globe. Taiwan joined the GNTH in 2011 and established the first network in the Asia Pacific region. To date, 215 hospitals in Taiwan have become members, and 35 hospitals have received the International Golden Award.

Providing characteristic and effective cessation services
HPA encourages hospitals to perform self-audit according to GNTH standards every year and actively participates in the international GOLD Forum certification.
This year (2022) a total of seven hospitals from Taiwan win the International Golden Award. The characteristics and highlights of their practice are as follows:
1.Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital: With cross-team cooperation to create a tobacco-free environment, its team provides health knowledge in smoking hazard prevention to adolescents, pregnant women, and chronic disease patients.
2.MacKay Memorial Hospital Tamsui Branch: AI warning buzzers for ignition detection are installed to monitor and curb smoking; in coordination with a broadcasting system, it effectively keep smokers at bay and encourage them to quit smoking.
3.Hsinchu Cathay General Hospital: No-smoking signs and promotional slogans are hung in visible areas, and health education videos of smoking cessation are broadcast on the TV to make the overall environment more tobacco-free friendly.
4.Ten-Chan General Hospital: The employees are incentivized to improve their knowledge of tobacco hazard prevention and control, and the medical staff are encouraged to participate in education and training on smoking cessation services. The hospital implements a tobacco-free policy throughout its premises.
5.Chi Mei Hospital Liouying: A newly-developed alarming system combined with the remote monitoring function helped effectively reduce the number of smoking hotspots.
6.Chi Mei Medical Center: They developed an integrated cross-team healthcare system, which provides cross-specialties smoking cessation services and individualized care for each patient.
7.Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital: With a community-based approach, it provides smoking cessation services combining the resources of geriatrics, critical care, and chronic disease care to fulfill the need of local neighborhoods.

Participation in the Global Network to enlarge international visibility
GNTH held the GLOBAL NETWORK CONFERENCE plus GOLD Forum event on October 19th, 2022, and 7 award-winning hospitals in Taiwan were invited to accept the award online and share their experience in promoting tobacco-free hospitals. Dr. Lin, Chi-Wei (Taiwan Network Director) and Dr. Hung, Wei-Chieh from the Division of Family Medicine of E-Da Hospital were invited to share the use of the LINE app (Taichung City Smoking Cessation System Intelligence Customer Service LINE@) and smoking cessation information system. They also talk about their experience in providing intelligent smoking cessation customer service and case management. This event allows Taiwan to share its achievements in tobacco-free hospitals with other members.

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Betel Quid Prevention Day on December 3 No Betel Quid Regular Oral Cancer Screening

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 10:00:00 GMT

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has been classified areca nut (AN) and betel quid (BQ) (with or without slaked lime) as a Group 1 carcinogen. Chewing betel nuts are associated with oral cancer. Oral cancer is the most common cancer among young adult male in Taiwan, moreover, it ranked the fourth in male cancer incidence and death rate. More than 8,000 persons annually were diagnosed as oral cancer, among which 90% were male (2019 Taiwan Cancer Registry Report, HPA). About 3,000 deaths from oral cancer each year (2021 Cause of Death Statistics, MOHW). A research found oral cancer patients with BQ chewing had 28 times cancer risk than people with no BQ chewing. If patients used tobacco, alcohol, and BQ further increased oral cancer risks by 123 times.

The 2021 Taiwan Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) conducted by HPA shown adolescents’ BQ chewing rate decreased in 2021 compared with year 2017. The junior high school students’ BQ chewing rate was 0.4%, a 0.43% reduction; senior high school students’ BQ chewing rate was 1.66%, a 0.48% reduction. Furthermore, almost 58% junior high school and 47% senior high school students knew that chewing BQ itself can cause cancer. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has included the prevention and control of betel quid hazards issue and resistance skills in the general guidelines of curricula. The HPA works with MOE and various departments to campaign the prevention and control BQ hazards through multiple channels of communication to establish supportive betel-quid-free environments on campus, communities and workplaces.

December 3^rd is the “Betel Quid Prevention Day.” The HPA Director General Chao-Chun Wu reiterates that AN and BQ are carcinogenic to human. Do not try or chew them. Please stop to chew BQ. We provided oral cancer screening services to all smokers and BQ chewers over 30 years of age and offered betel nut cessation class. Regular oral visual inspection (OVI) could early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of oral cancer.

OVI only take three minutes reduces death risks

Evidence shown that smokers and BQ chewers do not take regular OVI increased 35% death risk. Among screeners with oral lesions, more than 75% of lesions are precancerous lesions and early-stage cancer; with smoking and BQ chewing cessation and continued treatment and follow-ups, this could lower chance of precancerous lesions to become oral cancers. Regular oral cancer screening could lower 26% mortality, with over 80% survival rate. It should be caution that even cessation of use tobacco and BQ products would still have chance to find mouth lesions. We strongly suggested to uptake regular screening.

Oral cancer is the most easily spotted cancer. With your mouth open wide, you can see the symptoms. The HPA subsidizes oral cancer screening program biennial for people over 30 years old (aborigines aged 18) with BQ chewing (or quitted chewing) and smoking habits. The HPA said that OVI is easy and only takes 3 minutes. Doctors will see and touch your mouth to check for precancerous lesions or cancer. Qualified residents can take their NHI cards to see a doctor in nearby contracted dentistry and ENT clinics.

Mouth Self Examination to detect suspicious symptoms and seek medical advice if necessary

The HPA reminds that when we wear facial masks to prevent Covid-19, it is easy for us to neglect our oral and facial change. We can check our mouth every day when we brush our teeth. If any of the following symptoms are spotted, we should seek immediate medical help. For example, if the same oral ulcer did not heal for more than two weeks, you should go to see the doctor and take biopsy when necessary for early diagnosis and treatment to lower the incidence and death rate of oral cancer. Symptoms to look out for:

(1) Ulcers: oral ulcers that do not heal for more than two weeks

(2) Patches: unexpected red or white patches on the lining of your mouth

(3) Hard mucosa: hard and tight mouth mucosa leading inability to open the mouth

(4) Lumps: irregular lumps on mouth mucosa (papillae or verrucae)

(5) Swelling: swelling in the faces or necks cause asymmetry

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The First Country to Provide Lung Cancer Screening for Citizens with a Family History of Lung Cancer or a History of Heavy Smoking: The Lung Cancer Early Detection Program was Launched on July 1, 2022

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:20:00 GMT

On July 1, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched the Lung Cancer Early Detection Program to provide biannual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung screening for high-risk groups. Taiwan is the first country to provide lung screening for heavy smokers and individuals with a family history of lung cancer. Those in the following groups at high risk for lung cancer may apply for screening at any given hospital under the program: (1) Individuals with a family history of lung cancer, specifically, men aged between 50 and 74 years and women aged between 45 and 74 years whose parents, children, or siblings have been diagnosed as having lung cancer, and (2) individuals with a history of heavy smoking, specifically, individuals aged between 50 and 74 years with a smoking history of 30 or more pack-years who are willing to quit smoking or who have quit smoking within the past 15 years. However, lung cancer screening cannot prevent lung cancer. Smoking remains the main risk factor for lung cancer, and smokers are recommended to use smoking cessation services and reclaim their health.

The stage of lung cancer determines patients’ five-year survival rate
The World Health Organization ranks lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death. Taiwan’s standardized mortality rate for lung cancer has been in decline for 9 consecutive years. However, lung cancer remains the main cause of cancer death in Taiwan, accounting for 9,629 deaths in 2020 and contributing to approximately one fifth (19.2%) of total cancer deaths (19.2%).
Lung cancer has a high mortality rate and low survival rate, both of which are mainly determined by the stage at diagnosis. In 2019, of the patients diagnosed as having lung cancer, 4.2%, 29.1%, 4.3%, 12.3%, and 50.1% were diagnosed as stage zero, one, two, three, and four, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of patients with stage one, two, three, or four lung cancer is approximately 90%, 60%, 30%, and 10%, respectively, indicating considerable differences between each stage.

The first country to provide lung cancer screening based on family history and heavy smoking habits
Currently, LDCT is the only internationally recognized screening tool for the early detection of lung cancer and can reduce the mortality rate of lung cancer among heavy smokers by approximately 20%. Among overseas health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid in the United States offer both smoking cessation services and annual LDCT lung screening for heavy smokers. The National Lung Cancer Screening Program in South Korea offers smoking cessation services and biannual LDCT lung screening for heavy smokers.
Only 5.9% of female patients with lung cancer in Taiwan have a history of smoking. Since 2014, the Ministry of Health and Welfare subsidized the Taiwan Lung Cancer Society’s Taiwan Lung Cancer Screening for Never-Smoker Trial (TALENT) project to identify nonsmoking related risk factors for lung cancer. The project was spearheaded by Academia Sinica academician Yang Pan-chyr, who lead 17 hospitals in participating in the research project. The first round of LDCT lung cancer screening results revealed that relative to other groups at high risk for lung cancer, those aged between 50 and 74 years with a family history of lung cancer (e.g., patients’ parents, children, or siblings diagnosed as having lung cancer) have a high detection rate of lung cancer.
Yang indicated that most international research on lung cancer screening has focused on smokers, and only a small number of countries have offered national lung cancer screening services for heavy smokers. However, the TALENT program indicated that having a family history of lung cancer is the main risk factor for lung cancer in nonsmokers. Accordingly, in addition to heavy smokers, the Health Promotion Administration provides LDCT lung cancer screening for those with a family history of lung cancer. Taiwan is the first country to implement such screening measures, thereby demonstrating the government’s thorough efforts to protect citizen health.

In addition to providing regular lung cancer screening to heavy smokers or those with a family history of lung cancer, smokers should be encouraged to quit smoking
Former Health Minister Chen Shih-chung indicated that heavy smokers, particularly those who are men, are the main high-risk group for lung cancer. Most women who develop lung cancer do not smoke. To strengthen lung cancer screening policies for female nonsmokers, numerous expert meetings were held to lower the recommended age for lung cancer screening for women with a family history of lung cancer to 45 years. This provides women at risk of developing lung cancer with greater access to lung cancer screening services.
LDCT screening can assist in the early diagnosis of lung cancer and reduce the lung cancer mortality rate. Citizens must understand that although nodules are often identified through LDCT, most nodules are benign. Those with abnormal screening results must participate in follow-ups at intervals recommended by their physician to check for new nodules or changes in existing nodules. Those diagnosed as having lung cancer should follow the treatment plan recommended by their physician to ensure early discovery of malignant tumors and early treatment.
Director-General of the Health Promotion Administration Wu Chao-chun stated that lung cancer screening is the fifth type of cancer screening provided by the government after cervical cancer, breast cancer, oral cavity cancer, and colorectal cancer screening. Lung cancer screening policies were established on the basis of international evidence, domestic research results, and discussions between experts and relevant academic associations. Citizens who meet the criteria for lung cancer screening can inquire about screening at hospitals under the Lung Cancer Early Detection Program to ensure early diagnosis and early treatment.

Note: Pack–year: Number of cigarette packs smoked per day×years of smoking history (e.g., one pack per day for 30 years = 30 pack-years)

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Eat Rice Dumplings with Grains for Protection Against COVID-19 and Better Health in Summer

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 18:03:00 GMT

　　In the face of the current severe pandemic, in addition to washing your hands frequently and wearing masks to protect yourselves, eating a balanced and healthy diet to boost your immune system is essential. In welcoming the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, the Health Promotion Administration provides several creative tips to save time for you to easily make rice dumplings. You will also be taught, from the perspectives of nutrition, health, and traditional Chinese medicine, how to use seasonal whole grains and unrefined cereals rich in nutrients as ingredients to make rice dumplings in order to keep you healthy while enjoying the festival.

Key Tips for Better Protection Against COVID-19 by Eating Rice Dumplings

　　Traditional rice dumplings with meat fillings often contain peanuts, pork belly, salted egg yolks, and other high-calorie/low-fiber ingredients. These ingredients can cause stomach upset easily, increase your weight, and be detrimental to your body. HPA Director-General Wu Chao-Chun said that people should not underestimate whole grains and unrefined cereals that are common in our daily life, such as adzuki beans, green beans, Job’s tears, lotus seeds, lotus root, taros, and chestnuts. All of them can prevent and control chronic diseases, help stay in shape, and promote digestive function1. A study indicates that, out of all unhealthy eating habits, diseases resulting from under consuming whole grains and cereals are most detrimental to our bodies. Consuming more whole grains and cereals is the most effective way to reduce the risk of illness2. On the other hand, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese yam, lotus seeds, Job’s tears, and lotus root are helpful in taking care of the spleen and stomach, clear summer heat from the body, and improving our immune system, making them ideal in summer time; black rice, red quinoa, and multigrain rice not only are rich in phytochemicals, but also remove free radicals and mitigate inflammatory reactions. Moreover, B vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber in whole grains and unrefined cereals also provide multiple benefits, such as keeping our bodies functioning and boosting stomach health. The Health Promotion Administration designed the following three types of rice dumplings with whole grains and unrefined cereals based on the eating habits of Taiwanese people:

　●Multigrain rice dumplings with chicken (Southern rice dumplings): Replacing high-fat pork belly with chicken and adding white Chinese yam and lotus seeds good for the spleen and stomach during summer time for easy digestion and better protection.

　●Black rice dumplings with Adlay (Northern rice dumplings): Using green bamboo shoots produced in Northern Taiwan along with black rice and Adlay high in iron and B vitamins, enabling a healthy nervous system and a stronger immune system.

　●Vegetarian rice bean dumplings with quinoa: Adding high-plant-based-protein tofu skin and edamame, cooked with camellia seed oil with monounsaturated fatty acid, and using curry powder containing curcumin as an antioxidant.

　　This time, an influencer with over a million followers, Amy, is invited to offer a simple and quick way to wrap rice dumplings without complicated and time-consuming processes: Mix steam-cooked whole grains and cereals with the sauce for stir-fried ingredients and lay them on a bamboo leaf along with the ingredients. Lay another layer of whole grains and cereals, a layer of stir-fired ingredients, and finally a bamboo leaf on the top. Use a steamer or a steam cooker to cook the rice dumplings, and voila! Here come the delicious rice dumplings with a bamboo leaf aroma.

　　As a reminder from the Health Promotion Administration, eating glutinous rice with oily foods may cause a delay in the emptying of the stomach and intestines, easily leading to hyperacidity, abdominal bloating, and other indigestion symptoms. It is advisable to chew rice dumplings thoroughly and avoid overeating. Here are three tips for enjoying rice dumplings: “Avoid overeating by sharing,” “Eat greens and fruits for a balanced diet,” and “Use less sauce for less calories,” allowing you to eat rice dumplings in a healthy way while enjoying the Dragon Boat Festival.

Reference:
1. Drewnowski A, et al. (2021)Perspective: Why Whole Grains Should Be Incorporated into Nutrient-Profile Models to Better Capture Nutrient Density. Adv Nutr. 12:600-8.
2. Afshin, Ashkan et al.(2017)Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. The Lancet, 393：1958-1972

Press release questions: Division Head Su-Ying Lo, Community Health Division. Cellphone: 0988-595-568, 02-25220750
Press release contact: Technical Specialist Yung-Chih Yeh, Surveillance, Research and Health Education Division. 0972-725-705, 02-25220585

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Protect Earth, Protect Health Creating New Green Lifestyles Together

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 10:00:00 GMT

April 7th is the World Health Day marked by World Health Organization (WHO). To echo the theme “Our planet, our health” this year, the Health Promotion Administration of Ministry of Health and Welfare held the “APEC Conference on Achieving One Planet from 4E: Eat, Exercise, Ecology, Economics” on March 17th. With the participation of over 200 individuals including representatives of APEC economies and domestic/foreign stakeholders from industries, governments, and academia as well as private organizations, the Conference concluded on a successful note.
Green Actions Lead the Trend of “New Healthy Lifestyles” to Create the Livable Earth

During the Conference, each economies’ representatives had thorough and fruitful discussions on relevant matters and arrived at the following conclusions:

1. There should be another E in addition to the present 4E, “Equity”, which emphasizes the fair allocation of resources to each human being living on the planet. The high-income economies should reduce their ecological footprint to solve the disparities in wealth distribution. Meanwhile, the governments and people should engage in two-way dialogues on the climate change to address the cognitive differences between both sides and bring them to harmony. That will be essential to improve on the joint eﬀorts made by humanity on sustainability issues.

2.As suggested by the world-renowned expert, Walter C. Willett, Professor of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, from the practical standpoint and the fundamental Nutritional Epidemiology, when advocating plant-based diets, we could take nutritional supplements to compensate for the lack of trace nutrients. This could let people maintain the flexibility and achieve the goal of sustainability step by step.

3.Regarding the green action plan and innovation in the sport industry, we should empower the aging community and improve the quality of life by technology and utilize channels like smartphones and websites to attract participants of all ages so that people can adopt active healthy lifestyles.

Achieve Environmental Sustainability and Health Equality

We must accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to green energy and from carbon-driven to net-zero initiative. In addition to the advocacy by experts and scholars, governments also need to actively establish an environment-friendly system and to work with private sectors and jointly change the entire social atmosphere. Therefore, the citizen of the world can pay more attention to the actions of one planet and make healthy choices to achieve sharing the livable planet.

Contact Information:
For Press Materials: Ms. Shu Ying Lo, Division Director, Community Health Division, Health Promotion Administration; Mobile: +886-988-595-568｜Phone: +886-2-25220750
Contact Person: Mr. Yan-Zi Yeh, Technical Specialist, Surveillance, Research and Health Education Division, Health Promotion Administration; Mobile: +886-972-725-705｜Phone: +886-2-25220585

Reference:
1.Conference Website of the APEC Conference on Achieving One Planet from 4E: Eat, Exercise, Ecology, Economics: https://www.apec4e.org/.
2.WHO：World Health Day 2022 https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2022.]]>

"Urine test"—a prophet that keeps 3 highs away and gives you healthy kidneys!

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT

According to the results of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA)’s 2018 Health Promotion Status and Results Survey (HPSS), people above the age of 18 still lack knowledge about kidney disease. About 20% don’t know that urinalysis can measure kidney function; 50% don’t know that poor control of blood pressure can cause kidney disease; 20% don’t know that poor control of blood sugar can cause kidney disease. In view of this, HPA responded to the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundation (IFKF) jointly set the theme for World Kidney Day on March 10 this year as "Kidney Health for All—Bridge the knowledge gap to better kidney care", urging the public to control the 3 highs and adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as smoking cessation, healthy diet and regular exercise. At the same time, it is emphasized that primary care providers need to possess sufficient ability to identify and care for patients with kidney disease. It is hoped that through the cooperation at all levels of healthcare, we can reduce the incidence of kidney disease, delay the deterioration of kidney function and prevent patients from entering dialysis.
Make good use of health check-up and grasp the “kidney opportunity” with "urine test" and "blood test"

The common risk factors for chronic kidney disease include overweight and obesity (BMI ≥24 kg/m2), thick waist circumference, high blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids. According to the analysis of Adult Preventive Health Service data of HPA in 2020, nearly 20% people above the age of 40 have the kidney function loss, and as high as 30% have high blood glucose. HPA reminds that the result of "urine test" and blood test are important indicators to determine whether the kidney is healthy or not. High-risk group for kidney disease need to regularly participate in health check-ups provided by the government to monitor the changes of their kidney function. HPA also provides adult preventive healthcare services every 3 years for people aged 40 years to 64 years and per year for people aged 65 years and above, so as to facilitate the early detection of chronic kidney disease and 3 highs. Active control of related risk factors is the key to grasping kidney health.

3 highs damage to the kidney and accelerate the severity of existing kidney disease if uncontrolled

Hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are common risk factors for kidney disease. If there is no timely control and treatment, it will damage the kidney and affect kidney function. According to the 3 highs survey of HPA in 2007, people with high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and high blood lipids (3 highs) are 1.7 times, 2.3 times and 1.6 times more likely to suffer from kidney disease within 5 years than those without 3 highs. According to the results of the National Nutrition and Health Status Survey of HPA from 2017 to 2020, the prevalence of patients with kidney disease people above the age of 19 suffering from hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia are 3.8 times, 2.6 times and 4.6 times higher than those of non-3 highs patients with kidney disease, respectively. It can be seen that the control of 3 highs has its importance for patients with kidney disease. Director General Chao Chun Wu of HPA emphasized that the public should actively cooperate with professional healthcare teams for care, guidance and receive regular treatment. Don’t listen to the folk remedies or unknown herbal medicines in the market. Health management, regular medication and regular monitoring of the 3 highs, and the development of healthy diet, exercise and good living habits are the only ways to benefit the kidney.

Navigate through the “kidney battle” and win with the help of professional care

HPA encourages 227 Kidney Disease Health Promotion Institutes to link with the National Health Insurance Administration's quality care program and cultivate the ability to provide quality care for patients with chronic kidney disease. Based on domestic and foreign evidence-based practice, HPA jointly published the "Early Chronic Kidney Disease Care Handbook" with the Taiwan Society of Nephrology. This is the best guidance for professional healthcare personnel to care for patients with early-stage kidney disease. It also ensures that the public can obtain sufficient knowledge about kidney disease care, through which they can adopt a multi-pronged approach combining lifestyle, exercise, diet, and medication and face up to kidney disease treatment. Those approaches are proven effective in delaying the development of kidney disease and enabling the patient to win back their kidneys and life.

Online interactive event to improve health literacy on kidney care in conjunction with World Kidney Day

In response to the 2022 World Kidney Day, HPA jointly held a press conference with the Taiwan Society of Nephrology, the Taiwan Kidney Foundation, and associations of related professional fields. As a follow-up to expand public’s health literacy about kidney disease, the Taiwan Society of Nephrology will officially launch the "Good Kidneys, Good Life Online Running Campaign" on March 10 (Thursday). Through combining the application of indoor and outdoor running APPs, and enriching the knowledge of kidney disease-related symptoms, healthcare and prevention, the public will be able to improve the awareness of kidney disease. In addition, at 2:00 pm on March 27, a garden party will be held at the circular square of the Kaohsiung Cultural Center, and everyone is welcome to participate. Detailed information can be found on the official website of “Good Kidneys, Good Life” (http://www.ckd-tsn.org.tw/).

Chronic Kidney Disease Health Management Handbook
Early Chronic Kidney Disease Care Handbook
Kidney Disease Health Promotion Institutes

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Celebrating International Rare Disease Day - Colorful life stories of rare disease patients

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:27:02 GMT

In 2008, the European Organization for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) established the last day of February as the "International Rare Disease Day". February, having the “rarest” number of days, symbolizes the meaning of rare in rare diseases and jointly calls on all walks of life to pay attention to rare diseases. Moreover, the day encourages rare disease patients to actively share their life stories, so that the society at large can better understand rare disease patients, rare disease families, and their caregivers to help patients break through the barriers of care, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as provide a more equitable and inclusive environment for a brighter future.
Joint force in the awareness and support of building a rare disease care network

Due to the low prevalence of rare diseases and the small number of patients, the diagnosis, treatment, and drug development of rare diseases are difficult. With limited treatment methods and difficulty finding a cure, rare disease patients face many hardships in their search for survival and medical treatment. As early as the year 2000, Taiwan promulgated “The Rare Disease Prevention and Orphan Drug Act” and became the 5th country in the world to enact legislation to protect patients with rare diseases. Furthermore, the government integrated social welfare, long-term care, education, and employment services to provide a full range of rare disease patient-centered services through cross-agency cooperation. In combination with civil organizations, the efforts increased public awareness of rare diseases and promoted a caring atmosphere that became the support network for rare diseases in the country.

The hotline that can improve quality of life for rare disease families

Through the warm and caring rare disease care network, rare disease patients and their families have benefited substantially and changed their lives. One example is Mrs. Zou’s (not her real name) twin sons, both of whom have Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This rare disease weakens the muscles of the whole body to the point that only the ends of the hands and feet can move in the late stages. For years, she stayed home to take care of her sons day in and day out. Then when they turned 20 years old, they were hospitalized with tracheotomy from a pneumonia attack. After the two young men returned home, the medical equipment and supplies needed such as respirators, blood oxygen monitors, and oxygen generators became a staggering expense for the family. The Zou family is an ordinary working-class family, with Mr. Zou being the sole earner, and the enormous medical expenses of their two sons put the whole family in despair. Thanks to the enthusiastic help from the hospital staff, Mrs. Zou was able to apply for the subsidies under the "Rare Disease Prevention and Orphan Drug Act" that covers the rental expenses of the rare disease home care equipment not covered by the national health insurance. She gratefully recalled that when her application for the subsidies was approved, she was able to reduce her home care expenses under NTD10,000 per month, giving her and her family breathing room financially. As Mrs. Zou's family situation meets all relevant government subsidy requirements, now she can freely hire caregivers to assist in caring for her two sons, which indirectly improves her family's quality of life. The Zou family is a true portrayal of the situation with many rare disease families. Families with the same experience as Mrs. Zou can learn more about the subsidies with the one-stop consultation hotline for rare disease medical subsidies (hotline: 02-2545-9066). A dedicated specialist will provide information on government subsidies and related assistance.

Giving hope and support to those in the journey of overcoming rare disease

The implementation of the Rare Disease Prevention and Orphan Drug Act has provided support to rare disease patients and their families for more than 20 years. As of January 2022, the government has announced 235 rare diseases covered under the Act, in which more than 19,000 rare disease patients are accounted for in the same period. It takes a lot of courage and perseverance to live with rare diseases beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Therefore, as the International Rare Disease Day on February 28 approaches, it is hoped that the public would join hands in support of caring the patients and their families with enthusiasm and action, overcoming the setbacks and challenges to usher in a new life.

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Protecting the Planet Heath by Advancing Green Action Work Together for Creating the Sustainable Prosperity in Asia Pacific

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Echo the theme of “World Health Day 2022：Our planet, our health”, to protect Earth is to protect human health. Learning how to coexist with envir0onmental ecologic equilibrium and maintain economic development are the sustainability issues that all human beings should face. With the efforts of Health Promotion Administration of Ministry of Health and Welfare, the project is successfully funded by APEC. The “APEC Conference on Achieving One Planet from 4E: Eat, Exercise, Ecology, Economics” is held today on the 10th floor of CHANG YUNG-FA FOUNDATION International Convention Center. With the pandemic restricting physical participation from certain countries, the Conference has invited representatives and experts from Canada, United States, Thailand, Singapore, etc. to share their experiences virtually via video conferencing as well as 20 APEC economic representatives and partners from related fields to promote the experience exchange and communication in Asia Pacific region.
Work Together with Asia Pacific Partners to Demonstrate “Green Eating” and Promote Green Action Towards Health for All

Taiwan leads the world by proposing the original concept “New Healthy Lifestyle” at APEC for the first time. It advocates the dual benefits of environmental sustainability and economic development through promoting green eating and livable exercises, which is supported and echoed by international experts and APEC economies. This one-day conference which features physical and virtual attendances has invite Dr. Chung-Liang Shih, the Vice Minister of Ministry of Health and Welfare, to give the opening remarks, and Dr. Udom Asawutmangkul, Director, Division of Physical Activity and Health, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand; Dr. Erna Mulati, Director, Public Nutrition, Mother and Child Health, Ministry of Health, Indonesia; Prof. Trevor Hancock, Professor Emeritus, School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Canada; Prof. Walter C. Willett, Professor, Epidemiology and Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, United States; Prof. Theng Yin Leng, Associate Provost (Faculty Affairs), President’s Office, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Dr. Hui-Chen Chien, Director-General, Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan, etc., 13 international scholars, economies’ representatives and experts from the fields of nutrition and sports industries in Taiwan to be our speakers and moderators. By sharing their domestic strategies of innovative measures for promoting green life on the two major topics: “Join for Demonstrating the “Green Eating Power” and Sharing the Livable Planet” and “The Green Action Plan and Innovation of Sport Industry”, and thereby to lead the trend of new healthy life on 4E in Asia-Pacific region.

Together for Creating a Green Life for All in Post-Pandemic Era by Advocating 4E

The damage caused by COVID-19 for human health, economic and life safety has made human beings pay further attention on how to coexist with Earth. By experiences sharing and discussion on such diverse issues across nations and disciplines, as well as to collect all perspectives from different countries in this conference, to create the opportunities for cross-regional cooperation and raise the attention in the Asia Pacific region for the planetary health related issues. Meanwhile, it will also enhance people’s abilities to fight against the pandemic in the post-pandemic era through advocating the combination of green eating and livable exercises. By promoting a sustainable circular economy and working together for achieving health for all in Asia-Pacific region, we work toward building and sharing a livable and healthy planet.

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Response in Applications for Subsidy for IVF has been Enthusiastic. Online Applications for Subsidy by Institutions on Couple’s Behalf Are Time-Saving and Convenient

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 09:00:00 GMT

Since July 1, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has expanded its subsidy program for infertility treatment (IVF). The scope of subsidy has expanded from low-income households and middle-low-income households to all infertile couples, and the number of assisted reproduction institutions that provide medical treatment has increased from 19 to 92, a significant increase in service accessibility. Furthermore, applying online for subsidies through assisted reproduction institutions has made the process fast and convenient. As of July 28, a total number of 7,636 applications for subsidies from infertile couples were approved.

One-Stop Service for Infertility Treatment & Consultation and Subsidy Applications

Nowadays, more and more people are getting married late or having late childbirth, causing them to experience infertility problems. To mitigate couples' financial burdens for the cost of IVF treatment and have children, the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare recently announced the expansion of the infertility treatment (IVF) subsidy program. Eligible people may apply starting July 1, 2021. The relevant regulations are as follow:

■Expanding subject of subsidy: General infertile couples. The husband or wife is a Republic of China citizen, and the wife is under 45 years of age, with a certificate of infertility diagnosis and a need for IVF treatment.

■Amount of subsidy: Up to NT$150,000/treatment for low-income households or middle-low income households; Up to NT$100,000/treatment for general infertile couples for the first application, and up to NT$60,000/treatment for subsequent applications. The amount of the subsidy may vary depending on the scope of the treatment. If the actual expense of the treatment is less than the maximum amount of the subsidy, the subsidy will be paid based on the actual expense of the treatment.

■Maximum times of subsidy: Up to 6 times before the wife undergoes IVF treatment and gives live birth successfully at 39 years of age and below; up to 3 times before the wife undergoes IVF treatment and gives live birth successfully at 40-44 years of age (inclusive). If the wife has successfully given birth through IVF, the wife can reapply for the subsidy for another birth, and the times of subsidy will be recalculated based on her age and the aforesaid age range.

■Required documents: IDs of both husband and wife (original and copy), one original certificate of low-income household or middle-low-income household (exempt for general couples), and payment account information.

■Application process: If an infertile couple receives treatment from an assisted reproduction institution contracting with the Health Promotion Administration, the institution is responsible for the online application for subsidy qualification on their behalf. After the infertile couple is qualified for the subsidy, they should receive IVF treatment within one year, and should ask the institution to assist in applying for the subsidy online within six months after the end of the treatment. After verifying the scope of treatment filed by the institution, the Health Promotion Administration will remit the subsidy to the applicant’s designated payment account.

■List of contracted assisted reproduction institutions: Homepage of Health Promotion Administration > Topics > Holistic Health > IVF > Contracted Assisted Reproduction Institutions.

If an infertile couple needs the subsidy for IVF treatment and is eligible for application, they do not need to submit a paper application. Instead, they may apply online through an assisted reproduction institution contracting with the Health Promotion Administration. It is time-saving and convenient.

FAQs for Infertility Treatment – The Hotline for Subsidy for IVF (02-2558-0900) Has all the Answers for You.

The policy has come into effect for over six months, and we have received many inquiries from people. To collect opinions from the public, the Administration has set up a consultation hotline (total five lines) for subsidy for IVF, application information for dummies, and all FAQs. If you have any questions regarding IVF subsidy program, we have professionals to answer your questions or get back to you during working hours. For more information on the subsidy for infertility treatment (IVF), visit the Infertility Treatment (IVF) Section under the website of the Health Promotion Administration at https://reurl.cc/zerX07.

The Health Promotion Administration urges that if a couple meets the following conditions, they are welcome to visit any assisted reproduction institution contracting with the Health Promotion Administration in Taiwan to apply for subsidy for IVF treatment after receiving a certificate of infertility diagnosis: either the husband or wife is a Republic of China citizen, the wife is under 45 years of age, the couple has regular sex without any protection and the wife has not become pregnant after one year or more.

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Welcome to the “Together on a Fantastic Journey in 2021”, a touring exhibition launched for love

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:20:01 GMT

According to the statistics on the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s National Health Insurance claim data, as of June 2021 there were about 279,000 people having sought medical attention due to dementia. As Taiwan enters the era of aging society, the number of dementia patients not only increases each year, and undermines personal health, but also poses a significant issue to the society. People need to share a continued concern for and commit to building a dementia-friendly environment in this post-pandemic era.

Since 2018, the Health Promotion Administration has been promoting “dementia-friendly communities” in 22 cities and counties across the nation, as well as constructing the entire island to be a social network for protecting dementia patients. In 2021, there are 60 dementia-friendly communities across the nation, with 434,000 dementia-friendly angels and 9,775 friendly organizations recruited, and as many as 1.3 million participants. Starting in October of 2021, HPA organizes the “Together on a Fantastic Journey in 2021” activities, including touring exhibitions through Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan in November. Everyone are welcome to visit the exhibitions and understand that dementia is not an end but the start of a journey. Let’s accompany dementia patients with love in starting the journey.

Dementia is not an end but journey

To increase awareness and correct literacy of dementia among general public, and to remind people on alert for signs of dementia and to seek medical assistance in time, HPA organized an achievement presentation and press conference on the “Together on a Fantastic Journey in 2021”. The presentation combines an art-and-literature exhibition in the form of a gallery across space and time, illustrating the actual needs of dementia patients and their caretakers, and to see how people in the friendly communities jointly construct a dementia-friendly environment with their respective specialties and energy.

Touring Exhibition, Across Taiwan

To allow people to better recognize and understand dementia and to enable more families with dementia to receive the help they need, this exhibition will work to advocate the results of dementia prevention nationwide. Thus, the touring exhibitions will take place on three occasions in November of 2021(please see attachment), to which the general public and particularly the young generations, are invited to better understand the issue of dementia. People who visit the physical exhibitions can upload their photos of visits and write warm messages for their senior relatives or parents, and publish on the “Together on a Fantastic Journey in 2021” fan page, where they can also like the page on site. A total of 100 limited canvas bags featuring the event theme will be given away, and after all the exhibitions have ended lottery gifts (NT$200-worth PX Mart coupon each) will be drawn and given to three visitors who liked the page during the event.

Join efforts in building a Dementia-friendly Taiwan

Dr. Chao-Chun Wu, Director General of HPA, hoped that through government policies and collaboration between civilians and industry sectors, combined with promotion through diverse channels, will allow people to pay attention to their own health, as well as perfecting the social network in Taiwan for protecting dementia patients. Let’s accompany dementia patients with love in starting a long and memorable journey.

Further reading:
【Top Ten Warning Signs of Dementia】
https://health99.hpa.gov.tw/educZone/edu_detail.aspx?CatId=30686
【Manual for Promoting Dementia-Friendly Communities】
https://dementiafriendly.hpa.gov.tw/resources?key=%E5%B7%A5%E4%BD%9C%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8A&rid=0&type=0
【"Together on a Fantastic Journey in2021 " Facebook Fan Page】
https://reurl.cc/43RG82
【“Together on a Fantastic Journey in 2021” Results published online exhibition website】
https://reurl.cc/MkM8v3

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Promoting Technology-Based Healthy Aging in the Asia-Pacific Through Collaborative Efforts

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT

In recent years, Taiwan’s aging population and declining birth rate have become serious concerns. According to the National Development Council’s “Population Projections for R.O.C. (Taiwan): 2020–2070,” Taiwan will have become a “super-aged society” in which 20% of the population are aged 65 years or older by 2025. To promote healthy aging and support age-friendly environments based on innovative and intelligent technology, the Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) actively competed for and was awarded APEC funds to hold the 2021 APEC Conference on Urbanization, Population Aging, and Technology Innovation on November 18 and 19. Pandemic-induced barriers to attendance are addressed through the use of network technologies. Official experts and scholars from Japan, Canada, Thailand, Singapore, and other countries are invited to share their experience. In addition, more than 200 professionals from domestic and foreign sectors of industry, government, and academia across 21 economies are invited to participate online and promote active exchange among Asia-Pacific economies.
Cocreation of new opportunities for age-friendly health care in the Asia-Pacific region through collaboration in industry, government, academia, and research

Taiwan’s information and communication technology enjoys a stellar worldwide reputation. Moreover, the research, development, and application of smart health developed through close collaboration across the sectors of Taiwan’s industry, government, academia, and research in recent years have drawn international attention. During this 2-day online conference, with an opening address given by Chung-Liang Shih (Deputy Minister of the MOHW, R.O.C.), 13 internationally eminent scholars including Yoong Kang Zee (CEO of Singapore’s Health Promotion Board), Dr. John Beard (Advisory Council Chair of the Global Coalition on Aging and former Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course of the World Health Organization), and Octavio Vergara (Director of the National Service for the Older People of Chile) as well as Taiwanese experts on smart health and innovative technology are invited as lecturers or moderators to discuss essential topics such as healthy aging, digital technology, precision health, and smart health care. Through themed lectures and discussions, they will share their perspective on and experience of age-friendly smart health care worldwide, supporting a new trend of active aging in the Asia-Pacific region.

New trend of healthy aging established in the postpandemic era through innovative intelligent technology

Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care faces new challenges and is undergoing reform. During the pandemic, the normal operation of numerous long-term care facilities and community bases was disrupted, indirectly affecting the physical and mental health of senior citizens. This conference is intended to encompass perspectives from various countries through exchange on diverse topics related to cross-border and cross-field experiences, thereby creating opportunities for cross-region collaboration. Methods for integrating and improving information and communications technology to overcome spatial–temporal constraints using innovative intelligent technology will be deliberated to promote healthy aging and age-friendly environments in the postpandemic era.

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Feast Together: Easy-making cuisines for older adults to enjoy

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 15:22:00 GMT

Published by: Health Promotion Administration
Date of publication: October 13, 2021

Eating is indispensable to daily life. In our busy life, how long has it passed since the last time we dine with our senior family members? As the Double Ninth Festival is near, the table time spent with family and friends is believed to be able to increase seniors’ sense of happiness.

Statistics show that Taiwan will become a super-aged society in 2025, where the elderly population aged 65 years or older reaches 20% or more of the total population Note 1. Studies have indicated that the prevalence of tooth loss among older adults aged 65 years or older was 98.6%; the number of teeth lost was 13.39 Note 2. Because older adults may be troubled by dental and oral problems in eating, they may experience malnutrition.

Health Promotion Administration (HPA) Director General Chao-Chun Wu stated that HPA integrates community-based care centers for dining together and domestic cafeteria operators to provide older adults with better nutrient intake. Consultation is offered to meal preparation personnel, and the concept of texture-modified diet is applied to develop meals that are suitable for older adults, easy to chew, and moderately softened through methods such as ingredient selection, cutting and cooking techniques, and easy testing methods. The aim is to help older adults have healthier diet options to avoid malnutrition.

Moderately softened meals to enrich older adults’ palate
Following the implementation of various measures, such as vaccination against COVID-19, mask wearing, washing hands frequently, and social distancing, the pandemic is gradually controlled, and community-based care centers can be open to the public. For example, Taipei City Housanpi Culture Development Association hosted Dongxin 91 Health Happy Gathering, in which the meal preparation personnel Pingguohua expressed that she felt deeply touched and benefited much from her more than 2 years of volunteer experience at the care center. At first, she only thought of preparing abundant meals; now, she hopes to see that the older adults may eat and enjoy the moderately softened meals and their smiles out of satisfaction. Thus, she is more dedicated to contribute to diets of older adults. At the community-based care center, she often uses local ingredients and add delicate ideas in meal design. For example, Baozhong tea flavored Fu Rong tofu is so popular among the older adults that it becomes the signature dish of the center. The older adults joyfully said, “we look forward to coming to the center. It feels so good that we can have delicate and eatable dishes made by some warm-hearted people and chat happily with friends.”

Easy cooking: Happy and tasteful

We can also easily cook restaurant dishes by ourselves. HPA integrates restaurants and dishes provided for older adults at community-based care centers to create a series of videos titled “online dishes for seniors.” Ms. Amy (Mei-chun Chang), a web celebrity famous for her cooking, demonstrated how to prepare diced chicken with melon. She soaked deboned chicken in fresh pineapple juice to soften the chicken and then combined melon in the dish. The sour sweet tastes may excite older adults’ palate and enhance their appetite. The edible size is convenient for older adults to eat one dice after another. In a few minutes, the dish providing both visual and tasteful enjoyments can be prepared.

Through the food preparation techniques of texture modification, HPA desires to help older adults enjoy eatable foods. Moreover, through the hands-on process with their family members in preparing dishes, these older adults can strengthen the relationships with their families and create the wonderful time of dining together.

Note 1: Data source: National Development Council “Estimation of the Population of the Republic of China (from 2020 to 2070)”, August, 2020.

Note 2: Data source: “National Health Survey Results of 2017 by Health Promotion Administration.”
Press data inquiry: Community Health Division Head Su-ying Lo; contact phone number: 02-25220750; 0988-595568

Press contact person: Surveillance, Research and Health Education Division senior technical specialist Yung-chih, Yeh; contact phone number: 02-2522-0585; 0972-725705

[Health Education Manual of Nutritious Diet Textures for Older Adults]
https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=4131&pid=11931

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E-Cigarette Usage has Tripled in the Last 3 Years Smoking of Any Kind Is Harmful and Does Not Help Quitting

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 15:13:00 GMT

The Health Promotion Administration announced the results of a survey conducted in 2020 on the smoking behaviors of people aged 18 and above. The e-cigarette use rate among this population nearly tripled from 0.6% in 2018 to 1.7% in 2020. E-cigarettes have become a major warning sign of a threat to the health of our nation.

The results of the survey showed that the majority of e-cigarette users are under 40 years of age, with the largest group being men aged 26-30 (6.3%), followed by women aged 21-25 (4.6%). While the cigarette smoking rate of the population aged 18 and above has not changed significantly (13.1% in 2020 vs. 13.0% in 2018), the percentage of flavored cigarettes usage among smokers has increased from 8.2% in 2018 to 15.6%, with significantly more females than males (41.7% vs. 12.5%, respectively). Among the flavored cigarette users, the largest group consists of female smokers aged 21-25 (68.2%), followed by males aged 18-20 (68.1%). In addition, the ratio of combined use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes has also increased from 0.5% in 2018 to 0.9% in 2020. In terms of the second-hand smoke exposure rate, there has been a slight decrease in non-smoking public places (5.4% in 2018 vs. 5.0% in 2020); however, it has increased from 45.6% to 48.8% % in outdoor public areas.

Worrisome Motivations for Using E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products

The primary reasons for using e-cigarettes are “curiosity” (38.9%), “to quit smoking” (17.3%), and “my friends use e-cigarettes” (9.7%). The 2020 survey investigated for the first time the use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) among the population aged 18 and above; the rate was 0.5% overall (male, 0.9%; female, 0.2%). Among these users, 36.8% listed “curiosity” as their reason for using HTPs, followed by “to not smell like tobacco” (12.6%), “it has a lower health risk” (11.3%), and “to quit smoking” (2.9%). However, scientific evidence shows that e-cigarettes and HTPs do not help quit smoking, and their health hazards are not any lower than other tobacco products. Using these products because of curiosity or following others’ examples has no benefit whatsoever.

What’s Edible May Not Be Smokable: the Hidden Dangers of Flavored Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes

The tobacco product applications submitted to the Health Promotion Administration in 2019 revealed that there are about 1,200 flavor additives used in tobacco products, most of which are chemical substances (essences). Tobacco manufacturers add a variety of flavors to their products to reduce people’s aversion to the smell of cigarette smoke, so that young people and women might be attracted to these products and eventually become addicted. While a limited amount of these substances may not be harmful when used as food additives, their long-term effects when inhaled into the lungs are not so clear. Take e-cigarettes that use chemical solvents for example: Between 2019 and 2020, the United States reported 2,807 cases of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), of which 68 ended in death. In December 2020, three hospitals in Taiwan each reported a suspected case. According to experts, one case (a minor) was highly likely an EVALI caused by e-cigarettes, and the other two (adults) were possible cases of asthma aggravated and/or induced by e-cigarettes.

Consult Professionals to Quit Smoking, Don’t Rely on Tricks and Shortcuts

E-cigarettes, HTPs, and traditional tobacco products are all health hazards. Stay away from smoking, and do not follow any tricks and shortcuts, but seek professional help instead. During the COVID-19 pandemic, call the toll-free Quitline at 0800-636363 for help. There are nearly 4,000 contracted medical institutions in Taiwan for you to consult with professionals, who can custom-fit the best smoke cessation plan to eradicate your addiction and reclaim your health.

Smoking Cessation Resources:
◎ Toll-free consultation hotline (the Quitline): 0800-63-63-63
◎ Contact the local Health Bureau to receive smoking cessation consultation or services and to request a free brochure on the strategies for quitting smoking.
◎ Taiwan has nearly 4,000 contracted medical institutions that provide smoking cessation services (for the directory, call 02-2351-0120; website: https://ttc.hpa.gov.tw/Web/Agency.aspx)

References:
1. CDC USA(2020).Smoking Cessation A Report of the Surgeon General Executive Summary,2020
2. Leading cause of death, illness and impoverishment. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco
3. Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html.

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Girl Power! Quit Smoking and Get Healthier

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 11:06:00 GMT

According to the Health Promotion Administration's 2020 Adult Smoking Behavior Survey, the smoking rate of women over the age of 18 in Taiwan has increased from 2.4% in 2018 to 2.9% in 2020, and the rate of female smokers using flavored cigarettes has increased from 33.6% in 2018 to 41.7% in 2020. Although there were no significant differences between data from the two years, the hazards of tobacco products for women remain an important issue that cannot be neglected. Smoking in women not only results in cardiovascular diseases and cancer, but could also lead to health problems such as decreased fertility and conception issues. Therefore, the Health Promotion Administration encourages female smokers to quit smoking and say no to tobacco hazards for the sake of their health and their children's health.

Women's Talk: Reasons for Smoking
To understand women's smoking habits, ways of thinking, and motivations for smoking cessation, the Health Promotion Administration invited eight women (including smokers and successful quitters) to participate in a focus group in May 2021 to learn more about the possible reasons behind the womens smoking rate. The results of the focus group showed that most female smokers' first exposure to tobacco products is due to curiosity and peer pressure during junior high school, high school, and university. They may also continue to smoke or fail to quit smoking because of factors such as peers and workplace social circles. As the women age, increased awareness and family affection tend to prompt the motivation and action to quit smoking. On the other hand, the subculture of the smoking circle should not be ignored. For example, “sense of ritual” and “boredom, stress, or anxiety” are manifestation of conscious or subconscious behaviors; the desire to smoke after work, meals or when alone and bored, etc, are consciously learned behaviors that gradually become subconscious or spontaneous habits, which are then used to rationalize smoking【1】.

Quitting Smoking Is the Best Choice for You and Your Family's Health
Ms. Chen is a full-time homemaker. Back in junior high school, she was influenced by her classmates and wanted to fit in with them by smoking. She became exposed to tobacco products and started using them. For 24 years, she was part of the smokers' circle. The reason for her continued smoking was the sense of ritual and stress. Smoking represents the ritual of “taking a break” or “completing a task.” Smoking during a break, at the end of a task, or after a meal, gave her a sense of completion. She also felt like smoking when under stress and anxiety. Yet, something happened that made Ms. Chen resolve to quit smoking. Two years ago, a word from her daughter brought about a change. Her daughter has always disliked her mother’s smoking and told her, “Smoking will kill you!” These words drove Ms. Chen to quit smoking, and she finally succeeded【1】.
Family affection can be a powerful catalyst for smoking cessation. It is not just for the sake of the children. One can also invite their spouse or partner to quit smoking together. In the aforementioned focus group, many interviewees smoked or quit smoking because of their significant other, indicating the strong influence of the partner. Working together to quit smoking can help encourage and support each other, promote health, and strengthen the relationship at the same time.

No Smoking Makes You Beautiful, Healthy, and Energetic
Smoking will affect one’s appearance immediately: The skin will wrinkle, aging will be accelerated, teeth will turn yellow, and dental plaque will increase. In addition, smoking will cause the body to emit a distinct odor in the breath, fingers, skin, etc. For females, smoking can reduce the production of eggs in the ovaries, thereby diminishing reproductive function and subsequently lowering the estrogen level, even bringing menopause earlier by 1 to 4 years, and increasing the likelihood of infertility. Smoking cessation can reduce the risk of infertility, premature delivery, low birth weight, and miscarriage【2】. “No smoking makes you beautiful.” The benefits of smoking cessation definitely outweigh the disadvantages. It improves not only one's health but also interpersonal relationships.

Professional Services and Multi-Channel Assistance for Smoking Cessation
Female smokers who want to quit can take advantage of the diverse smoking cessation services provided by the Health Promotion Administration and seek professional services from hospitals, public health centers, clinics, dentists, and community pharmacies near their homes. There are nearly 3,500 contracted medical institutions in Taiwan, whose doctors, pharmacists, and smoking cessation educators can help you quit smoking. You can also call the toll-free Quitline 0800-636363 and receive convenient and confidential smoking cessation consultations from professional consultants. They will discuss with you to make a personalized plan for smoking cessation, and help you overcome the discomfort of the physical withdrawal symptoms during the process. Dr. Chao-Chun Wu, Director General of the Health Promotion Administration, stresses that smoking cessation makes you beautiful. For the sake of your health and your family's health, be brave and say no to tobacco products, and succeed in quitting!

Smoke Cessation Resources:
Toll-free Quitline: 0800-63-63-63
Taiwan has nearly 3,500 contracted medical institutions that provide smoking cessation services (call 02-2352-0120 for the directory)
Contact the local Health Bureau to receive smoking cessation consultation or services and to request a free brochure on strategies for quitting smoking.

References:
1.Report of the Smoking-Prevention Advocacy Program's focus group discussions on women's smoking cessation. (2021).
2.World Health Organization (2021). More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco. https://who.medium.com/more-than-100-reasons-to-quit-tobacco-e2c4060e64e8

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Expanded Subsidy for infertility treatment (IVF) takes effect on July 1

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMT

In order to support infertile married couples to fulfill their wish of having a child and to reduce their economic burden for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has expanded the scope of the subsidy for IVF, from low-income households and middle-low-income households to all infertile couples, effective on July 1, 2021. If either husband or wife is a citizen of Republic of China and the wife is under 45 years of age, the couple is entitled to apply for the subsidy. It is estimated that this will benefit 23,000 to 28,000 infertile couples each year.
Assisting infertile couples to realize their wish of having a child

In this contemporary society, the phenomenon of late marriage and late childbirth is widespread, with more and more people experiencing infertility problems. In addition to causing physical and mental stress, the high cost of IVF also puts a heavy economic burden on the couples. To create a friendly environment for couples who want to have babies, Premier Su, Tseng-Chang instructed the Executive Yuan to expand the scope of the subsidy to general infertile couples on May 6, 2021. Pursuant to the policy of the Executive Yuan, the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare recently announced the expansion of the infertility treatment (IVF) subsidy program. Eligible people may apply starting July 1, 2021. Regulations are highlighted as follows:

■ Expanded subsidized target population: General infertile couples. Either husband or wife is a citizen of Republic of China, and the wife is under 45 years of age, with a certificate of infertility diagnosis and a need for IVF treatment.

■ Amount of subsidy: Up to NT$150,000/treatment for low-income households or middle-low income households; Up to NT$100,000/treatment for general infertile couples for the first application, and up to NT$60,000/treatment for subsequent applications. The amount of the subsidy may vary depending on the scope of the treatment. If the actual expense of the treatment is less than the maximum amount of the subsidy, the subsidy will be paid based on the actual expense of the treatment.

■ Maximum number of subsidy: Before a successful birth through IVF, up to 6 times subsidy for wife of 39 years of age and below, and up to 3 times for wife of 40-44 years of age (inclusive). If the wife has successfully given birth through IVF, the wife can reapply for the subsidy for another birth, and the number of subsidy will be recalculated based on her age and the aforementioned age range.

■ Required documents: IDs of both husband and wife (original and copy), one original certificate of low-income household or middle-low-income household (exempt for general couples), and payment account information.

■ Application process: When an infertile couple approaches an assisted reproduction institution approved by the Health Promotion Administration for IVF, the institution is responsible for the online application for subsidy qualification on their behalf. After the infertile couple is qualified for the subsidy, the institution is required to offer IVF treatment within one year, and should assist in applying for the subsidy online within six months after the end of the treatment. After verifying the scope of treatment filed by the institution, the Health Promotion Administration will remit the subsidy to the applicant’s designated payment account.

Seeking medical diagnoses early to receive IVF treatment

The Health Promotion Administration calls on couples to seek medical diagnoses early if they have regular sex without any contraceptive measures and the wife has not become pregnant after one year or more. If IVF treatment is needed per doctor’s diagnosis, eligible infertile couples are welcome to apply for the subsidy. For more information on the subsidy for infertility treatment (IVF), visit the Subsidy for Infertility Treatment (IVF) Section under the website of the Health Promotion Administration at https://reurl.cc/zerX07 or contact Health Promotion Administration’s IVF consultation hotline at 02-2558-0900

Website: https://www.mohw.gov.tw/lp-4745-2.html

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Expanded Subsidy for Prenatal Examination Services, Effective on July 1

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 13:42:00 GMT

To improve the health of mothers and their newborns, starting from July 1st of 2021, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has increased the number of prenatal examinations from 10 to 14, thereby adding gestational diabetes mellitus testing, anemia testing and two general ultrasound scans to detect pregnancy conditions, reduce the risk of children complications and maternal/newborn mortality, and relieve the economic burden on couples of child-bearing age. The expanded subsidy also applies to new immigrants who are non-National Health Insurance(NHI) beneficiaries. It is expected that this will benefit more than a hundred and sixty thousand pregnant women annually.
Have a Safe Pregnancy and Labor: Increased Prenatal Examination

As part of Executive Yuan’s vigorous effort to build a friendly society for pregnancy, childbirth and children raising, the Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare has launched key policies that increase the number and items of prenatal examinations. Starting from July 1st of 2021, the increased items and timing of pregnancy examinations provided are as follows:

■ Four additional prenatal examinations: The additional examinations at 8th, 24th, 30th and 37th weeks are aimed at maintaining maternal and fetal health, preventing pregnancy and labor complications via early detection and intervention.

■ Two additional general ultrasound scans: Additional general ultrasound scans at 8th to 16th and beyond 32nd weeks are used to predict gestational weeks to help monitor for fetal abnormalities, multiple pregnancies and fetal development for reducing the risks during pregnancy and at labor.

■ Additional gestational diabetes mellitus testing: Additional gestational diabetes mellitus testing will be performed at 24th to 28th weeks with the concern that excessive blood sugar in mothers can enter the fetal body through the placenta, leading to the risks of an oversized fetus, neonatal hypoglycemia, jaundice and shoulder dystocia, as well as increased risks of pre-eclampsia and post-delivery classic diabetes. Screening provides a way for early detection and intervention.

■ Additional anemia testing: Additional anemia testing will be performed at 24th to 28th weeks with the concern that gestational anemia can lead to an undersized fetus, preterm labor, and increased risk of perinatal mortality. It can also increase the maternal cardiopulmonary burden and result in dizziness, syncope, poor wound healing, uterine atony and obstructed labor, putting the mother at higher risk should major postpartum hemorrhage occur. Early detection of anemic issues, early intervention with nutrients (such as iron and folic acid) and supplements as suggested by the physician will help reduce relevant complication risks.

Routine prenatal examination for reduced pregnancy/labor risks

The Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare has prepared “Increased Prenatal Examination Services Information Booklet” as part of the expanded prenatal examination services program to provide expectant mothers with ample health education information on prenatal examination. Beginning from July 1st of 2021, the medical facilities providing prenatal examination services will provide each pregnant examinee (including pregnant new immigrants that are non-NHI beneficiaries) with this booklet. Pregnant women need to bring “Maternal Health Booklet”, “Increased Prenatal Examination Services Information Booklet” and NHI card at each examination. Pregnant women are advised to receive routine prenatal examinations for appropriate medical care and health education to reduce the risks during pregnancy and labor. For any questions regarding pregnancy and labor, please contact the Maternal Counseling Hotline 0800-870-870 for answers from a dedicated personnel, or visit the “Maternal Care Website” (URL: https://mammy.hpa.gov.tw/) and “Health 99 Education Resource: Safe Pregnancy Pavilion” (URL: https://health99.hpa.gov.tw/theme/5) to search for relevant information.

More information:
【Increased Prenatal Examination Services Information Booklet】
【Expanded Subsidy for Prenatal Examination Services in a nutshell】
【Expanded Subsidy for Prenatal Examination Services advertisement poster】

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Ministry of Health and Welfare Releases Cancer Incidence Data in 2018

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 18:11:00 GMT

Ministry of Health and Welfare Releases Cancer Incidence Data in 2018

Year-end reminder: Please follow the doctor’s recommendation to attend regular cancer checkups

According to the latest annual cancer registry report in 2018 released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), the number of new cancer cases was 116,131, a 4,447 increase from the previous year. Due to the rapid aging of the population and unhealthy lifestyles, the number of cancer cases is expected to rise continually.

The median age of a cancer diagnosis was 63 years in 2018, same as in 2017; however, the median age of some cancer diagnosis were earlier, such as breast cancer (56 years old), cervical cancer (58 years old), oral cancer (57 years old), esophageal cancer (59 years old), thyroid cancer (50 years old), and corpus uteri cancer (55 years old). With the exception of breast cancer, esophageal cancer, and skin cancer (whose median age of cancer diagnosis were 1 year later) and lung cancer, prostate cancer, and corpus uteri cancer (whose median age of cancer diagnosis were 1 year earlier), the remaining cancer types had the same median age of onset in 2017 and 2018. As for the new cases of cancer, the top ten cancers among men and women are (1) colorectal cancer, (2) lung cancer, (3) female breast cancer, (4) liver cancer, (5) oral cancer (including oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer), (6) prostate cancer, (7) thyroid cancer, (8) skin cancer, (9) gastric cancer, and (10) corpus uteri cancer. With the exception of corpus uteri cancer (10) and esophageal cancer (11), the rankings of which swapped in 2017 and 2018, the rankings of the remaining types of cancer remained the same in these 2 years.

Top 10 Cancer Rankings: The Rankings of Liver Cancer and Lung Cancer Swapped, Whereas the Ranking of Bladder Cancer Dropped Two Positions Among Men; the Rankings of Colorectal Cancer and Lung Cancer Among Women Were Reversed

The number of new cases of cancers among men was 61,779. In 2018, the age-standardized cancer incidence rate was 341.3 per 100,000 population, an increase of 5.6 from 2017. In terms of incidence, the top 10 major cancers were, in order, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, oral cancer (including oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer), prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, skin cancer, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Compared with the statistics of the standardized incidence rate of cancer in 2017, the rankings of lung cancer and liver cancer swapped, whereas bladder cancer dropped to 11th place. Moreover, leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which ranked 10th and 11th in 2017, respectively, both rose in ranking by one position in 2018.

The number of new cases of cancers among women was 54,352, and the age-standardized cancer incidence rate was 284.7 per 100,000 population, an increase of 3.7 from 2017. Compared with the rankings of the standardized incidence rate for women in 2017, the ranking of lung cancer and colorectal cancer swapped, whereas that of the remaining types of cancer remained the same. According to the standardized incidence rate of cancer, the top 10 cancers among women in 2018 were, in order, breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, corpus uteri cancer, ovarian cancer, skin cancer, cervical cancer, and stomach cancer.

Incidence of Oral Cancer and Esophageal Cancer in Men is 10–15 Times Higher Than That in Women

A comparison of the top 10 cancers with considerable differences between men and women revealed that the standardized incidence rates of oral cancer (including oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer) and esophageal cancer in men are respectively 10.8 and 14.8 times higher than those in women. Studies have shown that individuals with the habit of chewing betel nut are 28 times more likely to develop oral cancer and are at a higher risk (5 times) of developing upper gastrointestinal tract (oral cavity, pharynx, throat, and esophagus) cancer. For individuals that have the habit of chewing betel nut, smoking, and drinking alcohol, their risk of developing respiratory and digestive tract cancer increases by up to 10.5 times. The Health Promotion Administration (HPA) reminds the public that quitting betel nut chewing, smoking, and alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer. In addition, regular oral mucosa examinations can detect oral precancerous lesions at an early stage, and timely biopsy diagnosis and treatment can effectively prevent them from developing into cancer. Studies have also found that regular screening can reduce the risk of death from oral cancer by 26%.

Standardized Incidence Rate of Colorectal Cancer Decreased Most Significantly: the Age-standardized Incidence Rates of Colorectal Cancer were All Declined across All Age Groups Between 50 and 84 Years for the First Time

In terms of age-standardized incidence rate, 309.8 people per 100,000 population were diagnosed with cancer in 2018, an increase of 4.4 compared with that in 2017. However, colorectal cancer and liver cancer exhibited the largest decline, dropping by 1.1 and 0.7 per 100,000 population compared with that in 2017. For the first time, a decline in the incidence rate of colorectal cancer across all age groups between 50 and 84 years was observed, indicating that the government’s promotion of colorectal cancer prevention and treatment since 2004 has gradually produced results. Specifically, the fecal occult blood test is administered to people aged 50–74 years once every 2 years, enabling the early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions to prevent the occurrence of cancer. The incidence rates of prostate cancer and lung cancer have increased by 3 and 1.8 per 100,000 population, respectively; these two cancers had the highest increase in incidence.

Early Lung Cancer Rate is 2.1 Times that of 2009

In 2018, lung cancer was found to have the highest growth in terms of the number of cases of early-stage cancer (stages 0 and 1), showing an increase of 551 new cases. Data analysis indicated that 4,524 people were diagnosed as having early-stage lung cancer in 2018, accounting for 31.1% of lung cancer cases in that year and demonstrating an early-stage lung cancer rate 2.1 times higher than that of 10 years previously (1,384 people were diagnosed as having early lung cancer in 2009, which accounted for 14.7% of lung cancer cases that year). This may be attributed to the publication of the article in the internationally renowned New England Journal of Medicine in 2011, which concluded that compared with X-ray, lung cancer mortality among heavy smokers between 55–74 years old can be reduced by them undergoing low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) screening three times in 2 years. Other factors behind this reduction include the promotion of lung cancer screening research into risk factors other than smoking by the MOHW since 2014 and the increase in the public’s self-paid medical examinations and participation in LDCT-related research projects.

However, according to the Taiwan LDCT Screening Consensus Declaration jointly issued by some of Taiwan’s professional societies (the Taiwan Lung Cancer Society, the Taiwan Society of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the Taiwan Radiological Society, and the Taiwan Society of Thoracic Surgeons), the following populations are recommended to undergo screening: (1) heavy smokers aged between 50 and 80 years (individuals with a smoking history of more than 30 pack-years and who are still smoking or who have quit smoking in the previous 15 years) and (2) individuals with a family history of lung cancer.

LDCT screening may lead to risks of false warnings, overdiagnosis and overtreatment, radiation exposure, and psychological stress. Therefore, the HPA reminds the public to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of screening with their physicians before any decision is made to initiate LDCT lung cancer screening.

HPA Urges the Public to Attend Regular Health Checkups for Health Benefits

HPA director-general Wang Ying-Wei urged the public to undergo regular screening at medical institutions for the early detection of precancerous lesions or cancers, pointing to the fact that the occurrence of cancer may be caused by decades of unfavorable long-term habits and lifestyles. The World Health Organization noted that 30%–50% of cancers are avoidable. Evidence-based medicine has also proven that four types of cancer screening (Pap test, mammography, fecal occult blood test, and oral mucosa test) can effectively reduce cancer mortality and increase survival rates. Statistical analysis results from the HPA are as follows:

Undergoing a fecal occult blood test once every 2 years can reduce the mortality rate of colorectal cancer by 35%.
Regular oral mucosa examinations can reduce the risk of oral cancer mortality by 26% in men with a habit of chewing betel nut or smoking.
Undergoing mammography once every 2 years can reduce breast cancer mortality by 41%.
A Pap test can reduce cervical cancer mortality by approximately 70%.

The HPA has urged the public not to panic or be afraid if their screening results are positive, advising them to visit medical institutions for diagnosis as soon as possible to identify abnormalities and ensure early diagnosis and treatment to improve their survival rate. Amidst the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the HPA recommends that the public should still undergo regular health examinations to receive necessary diagnosis and treatment and eliminate the threat of cancer. It has also urgeed the public to wear medical facemasks while undergoing screening at medical institutions to protect themselves and others.

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Dietary Reference Intakes" Eighth Edition-Macronutrients Protein and lipid chapter (draft) revision

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:07:25 GMT

" Dietary Reference Intakes" Eighth Edition-Macronutrients Protein and lipid chapter (draft) revision
Highlights of the online seminar
1. The updated and revised chapters includes Macronutrients: Protein and Lipids.
2. Updated chapter includes:
（1） The chapter of Protein:
i. A new method for evaluating protein needs, indicator amino acid oxidation method (indicator amino acid
oxidation technique, IAAO).
ii. New protein quality evaluation method Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) description.
iii. A total of 28 articles related to protein reference intake have been updated and newly added. Mainly supplement the related literature for the elderly.
iv. With reference to the average protein requirement data estimated by the latest IAAO method, the revised recommended protein amount is 1.1 g/kg for adults over 70 and 1.2 g/kg for seniors over 80. The purpose of increasing the recommended amount of protein for the elderly is to prevent the occurrence of frailty and sarcopenia. To calculate the daily protein intake according to the reference weight, and take the integer 5 or 10. The result is 70 g/day for men of all ages and 60 g/day for women. The protein requirements of the first, second and third stages of pregnancy are obviously different, but in order to avoid practical application inconvenience, this version will not be divided into stages during pregnancy. It is recommended to take 10 g more daily, and daily intake of 15 g high-quality protein is recommended during breastfeeding period.
v. In terms of protein requirements for children and adolescents, the recommended intake for 10-12 years old is 1.4 g/kg (55 g/day) day for men and 1.3 g/kg (50 g/day) for women. 13 -15 years old is 1.3g/kg (70 g/day) for men and 1.2 g/kg (60 g/day) for women. 16-18 years old is 1.2g/kg (75 g/day) for men and 1.1 g/kg
(55 /day) for women.
vi. In the part of chronic disease risk relevance, in the systematic literature discussion on cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, osteoporosis, kidney disease, and sarcopenia, the relationship between protein and chronic disease still needs further research to clarify, but most literature does not show that a slightly higher protein is harmful to the general health public, and most have moderate evidence of benefits. In addition, soy or vegetable protein seems to help reduce the risk of most chronic diseases. In summary, the recommended requirements of protein intake for Chinese people tends to be slightly higher than the previous version.
vii. Protein recommended intake before and after difference comparison table:
(table.1)

（2） The chapter of Lipids:
i. According to the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) in 2012, the rate of people suffering from metabolic syndrome and obesity-related diseases is more than 50% of middle-aged and elderly men and women, and the obesity rate is also more than 50%. It is referred to while amending our country’s recommended lipid intake.
ii. In accordance with the internationally established standards for lipid intake, in addition to the original essential fatty acid content, the importance of lipids in the overall diet is also presented in the text. Various fatty acids include saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, etc. Biochemical function, physiological absorption and metabolism, factors that affect demand (such as: aging, drinking, physical activity, smoking and other factors that affect life style), and positive and negative effects on the human body, etc.
iii. Added 65 references and the new 21st century's new Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR, Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges) concept description and the recommended intake range of total dietary fat, saturated fatty acids, n-6 fatty acids(linoleic acid), n-3 fatty acids(including linolenic acid, EPA, DHA), and trans fatty acids.
iv. This revision does not recommend setting the recommended amount of cholesterol. Although it is generally believed that reducing cholesterol intake as much as possible has a positive effect on health, the scientific evidence that can be used to calculate intake limits is not sufficient. At present, many countries do not set target intakes separately. It is only recommended to minimize high cholesterol foods.
v. Added the recommended intake of lipids:

(table.2)

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Issues with Storing Medicine

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:34:00 GMT

In addition to that, the Health Promotion Administration noticed that elderly might have a wrong concept that refrigerator can keep the medicine fresh just like how it keeps food fresh, so they store medicine in the fridge when they return home from the hospital. In terms of this problem, Ying-Wei Wang, Director-general of Health Promotion Administration, reminded the public that for most of the medicine, it is incorrect to store it in the fridge. The correct way of storing medicine is actually very simple, we just need to store it in accordance with the instructions on the package, bag or direction of the medicine.

Three Tips when Storing Medicine
Most medicine can spoil easily under sunlight, high temperature or high humidity. Thus, the Health Promotion Organization reminds the elderly that there are three tips we shall avoid when it comes to medicine storage.
1. Do Not Store Medicine in the Refrigerator
Most medicine can be properly preserved in the dry and dark places at room temperature. If we take the medicine in and out of the fridge frequently, it may absorb humidity and have a higher risk of spoilage. Therefore, unless the description on the medicine bag tells us to store the medicine at 2 to 8°c, we shall NEVER put any medicine in the refrigerator.

2. Do Not Store Medicine in the Kitchen or Near the Window
When storing medicine, it is important to avoid sunlight, high humidity and heat. If we put medicine in the bathroom, kitchen, or near the windows, then the humidity, heat or sunlight may compromise the efficacy of the medicine. Additionally, during summer time, the temperature may surge over 50°c inside a car, so we should not leave the medicine inside our cars. As for the special types of medicine that are used to save lives such as nitroglycerin for angina pectoris, medicine for cardiovascular disease, anticonvulsive medicine, oral medicine for chemotherapy, insulin, pharmaceutical preparation of hormone, anti-infective medicine, and so on, we have to strictly comply with the standard way of storage. Whenever you have doubt before taking any kind of medication, please consult with pharmacist near you.
3. Do Not Redistribute Medicine into New Containers
After taking the medicine, we should put it back into its original package. In order to avoid any misuse or using expired medicine. You should not redistribute the medicine into new containers. Furthermore, some medicine containers were designed to block severe sunlight and heat. If we redistribute the medicine into our own containers, the medicine may spoil easily. Last but not least, we should not abandon the package if we have not finished taking the medicine. Otherwise, we might misuse the medicine.

Each medicine has its expiration date. Thus, the Health Promotion Organization reminds everybody to help the elderly check all the medicine at home every once in a while to see if there is any expiration or spoilage. Moreover, we should avoid sharing medicine with others. A certain type of medicine might not be suitable for each individual. We need to see the doctor in person if we are not feeling well. We shall go to the hospital by ourselves and get the medicine that is specific to cope with our disease. When it comes to taking the medicine, taking it with water is highly recommended. We should avoid taking medicine with milk, tea, or beverage; otherwise, it might cause side effects or the efficacy might be reduced.

Inquiry on News Information: Social Health Group Group Leader Su-Ying Luo, TEL: 0988-595-568, 02-2522-0750
News Contact: Task Force for Congress and Media Senior Specialist Yong-Jhih Ye, TEL: 0972-725-705, 02-2522-0585
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Quit Smoking for Your Family, and Start on Father’s Day!

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 10:28:00 GMT

The World Health Organization reports that smoking and second-hand smoke often cause cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and chronic lung diseases. Moreover, third-hand smoke that lingers in the environment can cause cognitive defects in children and increase the occurrence of infant asthma. Wang Ying-Wei, the Health Promotion Administration Director General, points out that people who setting the smoking cessation date are about 20% more successful than those who do not. He encourages all fathers to make a commitment on Father’s Day to quit smoking for the sake of their family and their own health.

I Will Stay Healthy for My Children’s Sake!

As someone who had smoked for more than 20 years, Mr. Lin consumed a pack of cigarettes a day. Not only his colleagues and business contacts smoked habitually, but his relatives also liked to go out together for a smoke. When he had a heart attack and was admitted to an intensive care unit, every doctor and medical personnel that checked up on him advised him to quit smoking. Upon considering his health and the health of his family and friends, Mr. Lin decided to quit smoking. Besides shifting his attention away from smoking, he also announced his decision to those around him, so that they could help him by not offering him a cigarette. Mr. Lin has now successfully quitted smoking. He says that on this Fathers’ Day, he commits again to remain smoke-free and healthy for the sake of his three children.

Mr. Fan has successfully quitted smoking for 10 months. Ten months ago, he was diagnosed with tongue cancer. Since then, he has often regretted not heeding his wife’s advice and his children’s concerns and not taking the time to travel with his family as a way of showing them how much he loves them. The doctor convinced him to quit smoking to save his health. With the help of Taiwan Smokers’ Helpline (TSH) and its continuous follow-up, Mr. Fan was able to break free from the clutch of smoking addiction. Nowadays, he spends more time with his family, takes them out on trips, and shares his experience with other smokers to encourage them to quit.

Combining Smoking Cessation Clinics and Smokers' Helpline Counseling Increases Smoking Cessation Success Rate

Research has shown that, compared with providing only a hotline to call, smokers’ commitment to quit smoking is increased when healthcare providers briefly advise them to quit smoking and transfer them to a smokers' helpline, which actively follows up with each individual. With this model, the cessation commitment rate is 13 times higher1. Some studies have also found that smokers who receive cessation counseling, support, and reminders after being discharged from the hospital tend to be more successful in quitting and to remain smoke-free2.

The Health Promotion Administration has commissioned the Teacher Chang Foundation to manage Taiwan Smokers’ Helpline, which partners with smoking cessation clinics physicians and registered nurses, after confirming an individual’s willingness to quit and obtaining his or her permission, transfer the person’s contact information to TSH. TSH then contacts the individual to provide counseling and assistance.

Dr. Chen Chuan-Yu at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital says, “TSH’s intervention has provided significant effects in supporting the stability of the smoking cessation process for our clients.” The 7-day point prevalence abstinence rate (PPAR) at 6 month has improved from 35% to over 40% when smokers are transferred to TSH and supported by its phone-based counseling and follow-up.

Be a Hero and Quit Smoking on Father’s Day
The TSH CEO Tu Hsimin explains that phone-based counseling and follow-up are an effective care system for those who want to quit smoking. The cessation success rate is increased substantially when a smoker is willing to accept TSH’s individualized counseling and follow-up and is contacted regularly to report his or her smoking/quitting status.
There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco. The Health Promotion Administration urges the public to take advantage of the diversified smoking cessation services for quitting smoking. There are nearly 4,000 healthcare institutions or community pharmacies nationwide that offer smoking cessation services. Smokers' helpline is also available toll-free at 0800-636363. The smokers' helpline provides convenient and confidential services that integrate psychological counseling. It also provides personalized cessation strategies based on each person’s specific challenges. No matter where you are, the smokers' helpline is at your fingertips. Love yourself and your family; protect your children from the danger of smoking. This Father’s Day, give yourself and your family a present of love. Be a hero and quit now!

Smoking-Cessation Resources:
◎Taiwan Smokers' Helpline toll-free Quitline: 0800-636363
◎Nearly 4,000 institutions with smoking-cessation services (call 886-2-23520120 for the directory)
◎Contact your local Health Bureau to receive smoking-cessation consultation or services and to request a free brochure on strategies for quitting smoking.

References:
1. Vidrine JI, Shete S, Cao YM, Greisinger A, Harmonson P, Sharp B, et al. Ask-advise-connect: A new approach to smoking treatment delivery in health care settings. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(6):458–64.
2. Liebmann, E. P., Richter, K. P., Scheuermann, T., & Faseru, B. (2019). Effects of post-discharge counseling and medication utilization on short and long-term smoking cessation among hospitalized patients.
Preventive medicine reports, 15, 100937.]]>

World Breastfeeding Week 2020 (Supermodel, Hope Lin supports breastfeeding for a healthier planet)

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 12:06:00 GMT

Breastmilk is natural, safe, and waste-free: Let Earth achieve sustainable development
    The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet!”. Breastfeeding is more sustainable and ecological than formula feeding. According to statistics, 720,450 tonnes of milk formula sold annually in 6 Asian countries generated almost 2.9 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. This is equivalent to nearly 11.27 billion kilometers driven by an average passenger vehicle (9.39 million circles around Taiwan) or 1.03 million tonnes of waste sent to landfill sites (waste produced by Taipei citizens in 471 days). Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. Breastfeeding is vital to the healthy growth and development of infants. Moreover, it can also improve the health of our planet earth.

Family support is a key to successful breastfeeding
    According to foreign studies, if partners support breastfeeding, it can ensure the success of exclusive breastfeeding and continuous breastfeeding. This makes it obvious that partners play an important role in breastfeeding. The statistics of 2018 Taiwan National Breastfeeding Survey showed that the top three support during breastfeeding are “family members spiritual support (recognition, encouragement)”, “family members help take care of the baby” and “someone teach me how to breastfeed”.
    At World Breastfeeding Week, another breastfeeding family including Ms. Lee, her husband and three lovely daughters attended this campaign and shared her breastfeeding experience. Ms. Lee’s youngest daughter has been breast-fed for 7 months. What impressed them the most was that they did not have to buy milk formula. When going out they directly breastfed which is very convenient and did not have to carry milk bottles and milk formula. Ms. Lee said “The breastfeeding process is very difficult, especially toughest for the first child. Fortunately, my husband helps massage me and feed the baby. When our third child was born, my husband takes care of our 2 older children, so that I can concentrate on breastfeeding. I am lucky to have my husband’s support for breastfeeding”. The Health Promotion Administration appeals to families to protect their child and in addition to support mother’s to breastfeed, calls on people to work together to support breastfeeding for a healthier planet.
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Grasping the golden childbirth period, before the age of 35 is critical point

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:55:00 GMT

The age of people in Taiwan getting married and having children is older than before. Demographic data of 2019 by the Ministry of the Interior shows that the average age of marriage is 32.6 years old for males and 30.4 years old for females. Furthermore, the average age of females having their first child is 31 years old, while among this statistic, 23% of them are over 35 years old. This is 2.4 times more compared with 10 years earlier (it was 9.4% in 2009). This trend toward late marriage and childbirth is clear, so the Health Promotion Administration is advising the younger generation to make their marriage and childbirth plans as soon as possible.

No matter if you are male or female, older age giving birth will have a higher risk of unhealth babies

Considering the risk of giving birth, the health of babies, the preparation, the suitability, and the stability of emotions of being parents, a suggestion by the Health Promotion Administration says the best marriage and childbirth plan period should be between 25 to 35 for females and before 40 for males. An overseas treatise points out that there is higher possibility for women over 35 years old to have infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and fetal chromosomal abnormalities, as well as pregnancy complications such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia during the pregnancy period. This higher risk possibility does not happen to women only, the male fertility becomes lower as he gets older. Also, a study published in a U.K. medical magazine reveals that males over 45 years old could increase the possibility of his partner having gestational diabetes. Besides these, babies who have older age parents have an increased potential to suffer from premature delivery, lower than average birth weight, and autism.

The Health Promotion Administration provides subsidies for prenatal check-ups. Benefit women in advanced maternal age or with a history of genetic disease more safely.

To maintain a healthy pregnancy period, the Health Promotion Administration provides subsidies of 10 prenatal examinations, 2 prenatal healthcare instruction services, 1 ultrasound check-up, and 1 Group B Streptococcus screening for each pregnant woman.
To promote the Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis Test for high risk pregnancies, the Health Promotion Administration additionally provides subsidies for those who are aged above 34, those where an abnormality has been found in the current or prior pregnancy, those with a history of genetic disorders in her or her spouse’s family, or those with a possible innate abnormality (for example, by ultrasound or serum screening of pregnant women suspected to have unusual conditions). This Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis Test Subsidy of NTD 5,000 can be deducted directly from the cost at the hospital proceeding with the examination by filling in an application form when taking any prenatal genetic diagnosis test, such as Amniocentesis, etc..

Moreover, the Health Promotion Administration reminds elderly male not to neglect the potential health risk for babies. For prospective parents (male or female) whose four degree of kinship have had a genetic disease, the government will equally provide a subsidy of NTD 1,500~2,000 for them to do an examination. For those who meet the criteria, please bring the medical certification of their relatives’ disease to the hospital for the examination and application.

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COVID-19 Information for Cancer Patients and Caregivers at home

Thu, 21 May 2020 17:48:00 GMT

Since the pandemic of COVID-19, people have generally been afraid of being infected, especially cancer patients and family members (caregivers). They are concerned that the immune system of patients during (such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and after cancer treatment is weaker, and even more afraid of infection and subsequent danger. The Director General of the Health Promotion Administration, Dr. Ying-Wei Wang, provides a way for cancer patients and family members to take care of themselves at home to reduce the risk of related infections.

Pay attention to the symptoms of infection:

Pay close attention to the patient, family members, and caregivers for the following symptoms of infection, such as fever (forehead temperature 37.5, tympanic temperature 38), dry cough, muscle aches, or limb weakness, cough with phlegm, headache, hemoptysis or diarrhea. If any aforementioned symptoms, please contact the regular medical personnel or the 1922 epidemic prevention line, and wear a facial mask to see the doctor to avoid family infection.

【Self-Care Information for Patients at home 】

Wash hands frequently: Properly wash your hands before eating and drinking, after blowing your nose and after going to the toilet. Cover the toilet lid before flushing and it is recommended to flush twice during chemotherapy. Wash hands with clean running water and soap, at least 20 seconds each time. If you cannot wash your hands with clean water for the moment, you can use alcohol hand sanitizer instead, but it is still best to wash your hands with soap. For teaching videos on washing hands correctly, please refer to the following website:
https://reurl.cc/vD39xy.

Do not touch eyes, mouth, and nose: Do not touch the eyes, mouth, and nose without washing your hands. Cover the toilet lid before flushing to reduce the risk of infection.
Maintain social distancing: Avoid crowds and crowded places, maintain social distancing of at least 1 meter outdoors and at least 1.5 meters indoors.

Reject visitors at home: Try to stay at home as much as possible and find ways to arrange private rooms for exclusive individuals. Refusing visitors, especially those who have just returned from abroad and have been exposed to severe special infectious pneumonia infections, fever, and sickness with a high risk of infection. Also, the need for preventive injections such as flu vaccines can be discussed with the attending physician.

Do not share: Try to avoid sharing food, tableware, towels, toothbrushes, etc. Use serving utensils when dining, and anything that comes into direct contact with mouth and nose should be avoided sharing.

Cough etiquette: When you want to cough or sneeze, if it is too late to use handkerchiefs or tissue paper without a mask, please cover your mouth and nose with sleeves. It is recommended to adopt the standard posture of "pressing elbow and sneezing" to cover mouth and noses (such as accessories). Website link:
https://www.facebook.com/TWCDC/photos/a.187029023406/10157903774903407/?type=3&theater.

Reduce shared space: When cancer patients are treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, they should pay attention to self-protection during the leukopenia. Also, minimize the time spent in shared spaces (such as kitchens, living rooms, or toilets) with non-caregivers and non-close family members, and pay attention to keeping the home environment ventilated.

Pre-preparation: Discuss the sufficiency of drug preparation with the doctor when going to hospitals, and whether you can delay the start of treatment or the delayed treatment will likely affect the condition and quality of life. You need to fully discuss with the doctor before making a decision. If you have any questions, please contact your case manager. If you don’t know who to contact, please contact the nearest Cancer Resource Center for assistance. Website link: https://www.crm.org.tw/.

Urgent medical treatment: If you have difficulty breathing, stubborn headaches, mobility problems or incapacitation, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, etc., it may be an emergency caused by a tumor or treatment. These conditions can be serious and life-threatening. Please contact the relevant personnel of the hospital to arrange medical treatment.

【Information for Caregivers of Cancer Patients at home 】

Wash hands frequently: Properly wash your hands before and after taking care of patients, after handling any patient’s secretions and excreta, before eating and drinking, after blowing their noses and after going to the toilet. Assist patients with covering the toilet lid before flushing and it is recommended to flush twice during chemotherapy. Wash hands with clean running water and soap, at least 20 seconds each time. If you cannot wash your hands with clean water for the moment, you can use alcohol hand sanitizer instead, but it is still best to wash hands with soap.

Maintain social distancing: Avoid crowds and crowded places, maintain social distancing of at least 1 meter outdoors and at least 1.5 meters indoors.

Cleaning and disinfection: Clean and disinfect the surfaces of objects frequently touched at home, such as tables, light switches, telephones, door handles, faucets, etc. If the environment becomes contaminated, it should be cleaned and disinfected immediately.

Alternatives: The immune system of cancer patients is weaker than that of ordinary people, especially during chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To protect patients, close family members and caregivers may consider vaccinations such as flu vaccines to reduce the incidence of infections being transmitted to patients. If family members and caregivers become ill, they should immediately arrange for other caregivers to take care of cancer patients.

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Quit smoking, benefit health, help prevent epidemics, and love the earth!

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 10:22:00 GMT

Smoke damage not only hurts the body but also the earth
Smoking and second-hand smoke inhale carcinogens into the body, which can easily lead to cancer, heart disease, stroke and chronic lung disease. During the epidemic, it is more likely to increase lung damage in patients with COVID-19. According to the Health Promotion Administration’s 2018 Adult Smoking Behavior Survey, the exposure rate of second-hand smoke in statutory non-smoking public places has dropped to 5.4%. Although the exposure rate of second-hand smoke outdoor public places have been decreasing in recent years, there is still as high as 45.6%. The most frequently smoking-exposure places are "roads, streets, arcades and other outdoor places" (26.3%), which not only affects air quality, but also increases the risk of infection.
In addition, cigarette butts as one of the most common kind of garbage today, the remaining toxic substances in them become a source of soil and water pollution. In order to produce tobacco products, 11.4 million metric tons of trees are cut down globally every year. Director Wang Ying-Wei of Health Promotion Administration urged the public that smoking not only harms the body, but also damages the planet. Quitting smoking during the epidemic is the best way to love the planet and family.

Love the earth, quit smoking and win
In order to leave a beautiful earth to the next generation, now is the best time to quit smoking! Relying only on personal willpower to quit smoking, the success rate is only 3-5%; while with professional assistance, the abstinence rate can be increased by 8-10 times. The Health Promotion Administration website provides a "Teaching Manual for Smoking Cessation" to help understand the dangers of smoking and the benefits and difficulties of quitting. There is also a free smoking cessation service hotline (0800-636363) to assist with psychological support. There are nearly 4,000 cessation service contract medical institutions to provide professional smoking cessation treatment services nearby. In addition, the "2020 Quit & Win" competition has already started. Be sure to participate before the end of April. If you don't smoke a puff from May 2nd to 29th, you will have a chance to earn $300,000 in bonus if you successfully quit smoking! For the health of yourself and your family, please come together to quit smoking, fight the COVID-19 epidemic, and love the earth!

※"2020 Quit Smoking to Win " competition website: http://www.quitwin.org.tw/
※ Smoking cessation resources:
‧Free Smoking Cessation Hotline: 0800-63-63-63
‧Nearly 4,000 cessation service contract medical institutions nationwide (website: https://ttc.hpa.gov.tw/Web/Agency.aspx)
‧Contact the local government health bureau (office) to accept smoking cessation consultation or services, and you can obtain a free smoking cessation education manual

References:
1. Tobacco and its environmental impact: an overview. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.]]>

5 peaceful sleeping positions for your child, Did you do it right?

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 11:39:00 GMT

According to the 2018 Statistics of causes of infant death, accidental injury ranked the 4th highest cause of infant death, among which 75% deaths were caused from accidental suffocation. Accidental suffocation cases, were in some instances caused by inaccurate sleeping positions, thus, HPA urges parents to follow “5 peaceful sleeping positions”, which are “do not sleep on stomach”, “no pillows”, “do not sleep on the same bed”, “avoid overheating”, “no soft objects”, so as to avoid exposing your baby to sudden infant death and suffocation crisis. When you are looking forward for you baby to grow up in front of you, don’t forget to create a safe sleeping environment for your baby.

Must know facts about safe sleep for babies
At the beginning of this year (2020), the news media reported a 2 months old baby boy sleeping on his stomach was left alone in a room by a caregiver, resulted into death by suffocation even after being sent to the hospital. In fact, there are many widely circulated false information on baby sleep, such as: when baby sleeps on their back it will cause choking on milk causing suffocation, or sleeping on their back will affect the shape of their head, and also some people think that the baby is more at ease when sleeping on their stomach. In actuality, all these are false information! The correct sleeping position is to sleep on their back, sleeping on the back will not cause the aforementioned results, however, sleeping in the stomach or using a pillow are more likely to cause suffocation and other such accidents.
Last year, an 18 months old baby boy sleeping with his parents on the same bed was suffocated by the adult’s body and blanket covering his mouth and nose. Another case was of a 6 months old baby girl, temporarily left alone in a crib by the caregiver, and due to the arrangements of toys and other stuff on the bed, the nose and mouth of the baby was pressed against the toys bag causing suffocation, and was declared dead by the rescuers. Parents make baby sleep with them on the same bed for the ease of care, or due to the fear of their baby catching a cold, lay thick cushions and quilts, and also fill the crib with toys, all these are actually the cause for sudden infant death. Sleeping position and environment are closely related to your baby’s safety, inaccurate concepts can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome or death from suffocation.

5 peaceful sleeping positions: let your baby sleep with ease

How to provide your child with a safe and comfortable sleeping environment? HPA provides easy to remember formula “5 peaceful sleeping positions”, to let parents easily grasp the details and ensure your baby’s healthy and safe growth.
1. “Do not sleep on stomach”: The correct sleeping position is on their back. It is not recommended for babies to sleep on their side, because they can turn from side sleep to sleeping on their stomach. In addition, never let your baby sleep face down on the parent’s or caregiver’s body.
2. “No pillows”: Babies 1 year old and below do not need pillows nor require elevation of their head.
3. “Do not sleep on the same bed”: Please follow the principle of “same room different bed”, do not let your baby sleep with caregiver or siblings on the same bed.
4. “Avoid overheating”: Maintain proper ventilation, if you need to keep your baby warm, you can use sleep sack type pajamas or wrap your baby with a swaddle, and remember to expose their arms and avoid covering their face.
5. “No soft objects”: The sleeping area should not have any soft objects, such as pillows, quilts, blankets and stuffed dolls. Mattress should be hard and firm, and the use of anti-collision pads around the bed is not recommended.

Complying with the “5 peaceful sleeping positions” for your baby, can substantially decline the risk of sudden infant death and death from suffocation. In addition, parents can refer to the Children’s Health Handbook for information on “Neo-natal care knowhow - A safe sleeping environment”. Check your baby’s sleeping environment, and you can also link to our website (https://www.hpa.gov.tw/Pages/List.aspx?nodeid=4150) for relevant information, to ensure your baby’s sleep safety.

News information inquiry: Senior Specialist Ms. Chen, Maternal and Child Health Division
Phone no: 02-25220585
New contact: Senior Specialist Ms. Yeh, Congressional and press liaison unit
Phone No: 02-25220585

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Pregnancy Booking! Iron Storage before Pregnancy-The First Step towards a Baby’s Health

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 15:03:00 GMT

Adequate nutrients for pregnant mothers are the key to the healthy growth of infants. In order to transfer vital nutrients to help babies develop healthily, the iron requirement during pregnancy is higher compared to the average adult. The Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare (HPA) appeals to pregnant women to consume iron-rich food before getting pregnant to adjust the body to its sound healthy state and have healthy babies.

About 20% of women of childbearing age are anemic.

According to the HPA’s results of Nutrition and Health Survey 2015-2018, the ratio of anemia in women of childbearing age (15-49 years old) accounts for 18.6% (heme concentrations of <12 g/dL are considered anemic). The ratio has decreased year by year (the ratios of anemia for 2013-2016 and 2014-2017 accounted for 22.40% and 19.54%, respectively).

Women from after puberty to menopause lose menstrual blood every month, putting them at high risk of anemia. The symptoms of anemia include fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, physical decline, pale complexion, etc. The most common type of anemia is iron-deficiency anemia. During pregnancy, pregnant mothers will have an increased blood volume due to physiological changes. Moreover, heavy bleeding during childbirth and iron loss due to breastfeeding will lead to the mother’s increasing iron demand. Iron is an important element for manufacturing maternal and fetal hemoglobin. Iron deficiency during pregnancy may result in premature birth and low birth weight. The iron needed by newborns in the first four months comes from the mother. If iron fails to be adequately reserved during pregnancy, it may result in the baby’s retarded growth and development.

Pay attention to the principles of iron intake before pregnancy and store key nutrients

According to the HPA’s recommended “Dietary Reference Intakes, DRIs,” the recommended daily iron intake for adult women is 15mg. The dietary principles for reducing anemia are as follows:

■Eat more iron-rich foods：Consume iron-rich foods in daily life, such as seafood (clam, octopus, oyster, etc.), liver, and red meat. However, the recommended daily intake should not be exceeded.
■Eat more dark vegetables： Iron-rich animal foods often have high-fat content; while dark green vegetables, such as amaranth, sweet peas, Gynura bicolor, etc. have lower iron absorption rates but they can also be a good source of iron.
■Increase vitamin C intake： During or after a meal, consume fresh seasonal fruits that are rich in vitamin C to promote iron absorption.
■Avoid drinking tea during a meal：The tannic acid in tea and iron will form insoluble compounds and reduce iron absorption by nearly 50%. It is recommended that beverages should be avoided during meals.

It is recommended that adult women who are experiencing symptoms of anemia undergo a blood test. Women who plan to have a baby should pay attention to their nutritional intake before getting pregnant. Consult a dietician if necessary to improve diet or take supplements under the prescription and guidance of a doctor.

Prenatal Checkup and Nutrition Consultation Services for Pregnant Women - Healthy Pregnancy Booking

In order to understand the health status of mothers and their babies and detect anomalies early for early treatment, Taiwan offers 10 free prenatal checkups for pregnant women. The first routine blood test of the first prenatal checkup includes a hemoglobin concentration test and two 1-on-1 health education and guidance services in order to increase the nutritional health knowledge of expectant mothers during pregnancy. For any nutrition-related questions before, during, and after pregnancy, please call the maternal care advisory hotline at 0800-870-870. Our professional personnel is waiting to answer your calls (we provide call-back service). You may also visit the Website of Maternal and Infant Healthcare (https://mammy.hpa.gov.tw/)to search for information on prenatal care. Expectant mothers and fathers are encouraged to visit our website often!
Website of Maternal and Infant Healthcare: https://mammy.hpa.gov.tw/

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Healthy Taiwan and Active Aging 2019 -Taiwan Healthy Cities and Age-friendly Cities Awards Ceremony

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:30:00 GMT

Since the development of the concept of healthy cities, in response to the changes in the general environment, the healthy cities in the world have not only included the issues of "urban governance" and "health inequality" but also incorporated "ecology" factors into the perspective of healthy cities elements. Besides, to demonstrate the achievements of various local governments and communities, the "Healthy Cities and Age-friendly Cities (Communities) Awards" were set up. This year, a total of 345 proposals were submitted. After the preliminary and review stages, 63 winners were selected. Through this competition, we aim to promote related issues and results of healthy cities and age-friendly cities and serve as a learning model for other local governments. This year, the theme of Healthy Taiwan and Active Aging 2019 Awards Ceremony is "Cross-field Integration and Sustainable Development".

Building a friendly and whole-person environment for the elderly, where the elderly can live peace, habitability, and LOHAS

Taiwu Township Health Center (Pingtung County), one of the gold award winners, it has been cooperating with the Taiwu Township Office for a long time to create a "Taiwu Township whole-person model of age-friendly Environment". It has developed a lively and interesting diversified service belonging to the original tribe from the community environment to the health promotion activities for the elderly. Advocate that "the tribe is home" by improving the home environment and transport system (e.g., buses to my home) so that the elderly can live in barrier-free environments. The feeling of "home" is created by Intergenerational learning Involving young children and elderly and middle-aged villagers serving as caregivers, etc.
The Lianjiang County Health and Welfare Bureau, which won the "Gold Idea Award for Age-friendly Cities ", focuses on aging’s nutritional problems. The community dietitian considers the reading difficulties of the elderly and develops interactive electronic media teaching tools, such as nutrition mini-games (six food categories, food yellow and green lights, etc.) to enhance the elderly's understanding of nutrition concepts greatly. Also, the elderly are afraid to consume dairy products because of their taste habits. The dairy products are insufficiently consumed. The dietitian puts dairy products into dishes or makes snacks for shared meals so that the elders can eat happily and healthily.
The Zhonghe District Office of New Taipei City won the "Healthy Cities Excellence Award-Township and Urban District Group". The Zhonghe District Office integrates resources within its jurisdiction, including transportation, barrier-free spaces to parks and other hardware environments, elderly services, health promotion activities, etc.
The park in the district has been reorganized and has become a place for the whole family. The roads frequently used by citizens and elderly are planned, ramps are improved, and handrails are installed. The park in the district just like the most famous place in the jurisdiction (the Earth God of Honglushishan Nanshan Fude Palace); this community is where residents are healthy and happy.

Continue to inject "care'' elements into Healthy Cities and Age-friendly Cities

This year's winners ranged from simple activities to the integration of ecology and focus on resource integration within the jurisdiction, from a small health clinic to an entire city, from respecting and loving the elderly to being a family, and then showing that Taiwan is in health promotion and friendly environment. Around the world, including Taiwan, about 166 cities and 45 non-governmental organizations have joined the Alliance For Healthy Cities (AFHC) supported by the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office. The National Health Agency began to promote healthy cities with local governments in 2003, and 22 cities and counties across Taiwan have joined in the promotion of Age-friendly cities in 2013. With the joint efforts of the government and the private sector, and industry-government-academic cooperation. There is a friendly environment, local activities, and humanistic care, and the happiness index of the community is improving in the community that you and I are familiar with. Dr. Wang Ying-Wei, Director of Health Promotion Administration, pointed out promoting healthy cities and age-friendly cities in the future. He would continue to integrate "care" into the strategy and build a support system with layers of protection for the weak or need services as the main body. Let the support network of the entire community be able to support each other, so that everyone in the society can be a person who can help others, foster mutual love, create a warm environment, and recreate the style of "love each other at the end of the house".

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The Menopause Consultation Hotline “0800-00-5107”

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 09:33:00 GMT

Ms. Liu, aged 47 years, is currently experiencing uncomfortable menopausal symptoms such as night sweats, hot flashes, heart palpitations and irregular menstrual cycles. In addition, she also experiences emotional changes like fatigue and tired, memory problem, and anxiety. Having faced with the uncomfortable symptoms and seeking emotional support, Ms. Liu decided to call the toll-free “Menopause Consultation Hotline (0800-00-5107)". She stated that the phone consultation was a very pleasant experience, she was able to speak freely about her problems and health information provided was very helpful. Ms. Liu now feels confident and positive during the menopausal transition.

Understand the onset of menopause, Call the“Menopause Consultation Hotline (0800-00-5107) "

The Health Promotion Administration set up the “Menopause Consultation Hotline (0800-00-5107)" for more ten years, and is dedicated to helping women to understand and solve the physical and psychological changes related to menopause, and the possible discomfort symptoms. The toll-free menopause consultation hotline has answered more than 100,000 calls over the past ten years. In 2018, the total number of calls reached were 6,402, with most common signs of menopause are physical symptoms (such as palpitations, hot flushes, etc.), sleep disturbance (such as insomnia), and psychological symptoms (fatigue and tired, mood swings, etc.).

Taking good care of your health during menopause

As individual undergoes menopause, the body gradually changes with age, physical and psychological changes such as heart palpitations, hot flashes, fatigue are common vasodilation symptoms that may occur. The Health Promotion Administration provides some simple self-care methods to help individuals reducing the symptoms of menopause:

1. Maintain a balanced diet: Meals should be taken at regular interval. A low fat, high fiber, and high calcium diet is recommended. Avoid sugary drinks, and high calorie foods. Whole grains and estrogen boosting foods, such as soybeans and related products, may help to reduce menopausal discomforts.

2. Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise, with at least 30 minutes a day, may reduce the chance of arteriosclerosis and improve quality of life. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid negative thoughts or feelings.

3. Stay calm: Gentle and relaxing activities such as breathing exercises or taking a warm bath before bedtime can aid in sleep. Any strenuous activities that may affect the quality of sleep should be avoided.

Toll-free menopause consultation hotline can help

Dr. Ying-Wei Wang, Director General, of the Health Promotion Administration, stated that the toll-free "Menopause Consultation Hotline 0800-00-5107" is available from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Specialists are available to assist individuals with menopause inquires and provide a personalized health consultation service to those in needs.

※The "Menopause Health Consultation Hotline (0800-00-5107)" has been suspended. If you have any questions, please visit the Health 99 website ( https://health99.hpa.gov.tw/theme/2) for more information, thank you.

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2019 Global Health Forum in Taiwan: “Urban Life of the 21st Century: Sustainable, Safe and Healthy?” Cross-Border, Discipline and Departmental Discussions between Taiwan and U.S. Health Officials

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 09:21:00 GMT

The 2019 Global Health Forum in Taiwan was held at the Taipei International Convention Center from October 20^th to 21^st. The theme of the forum is “Urban Life of the 21st Century: Sustainable, Safe and Healthy?” The Forum invited various renowned experts from various nations around the world, such as Jay C. Butler, M.D, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to discuss issues on urban environment and health. The topics of the Forum included One Health, city leadership, Healthy Cities 2.0, Sustainable Development Goals, Urbanization and Big Data. A total of 83 distinguished guests from 33 countries and over 1,500 attendees have participated in the Forum this year.

Challenges and Opportunities of Urbanization as the urban population of the world grows beyond 4 billion

According to World Health Organization (WHO), urbanization is a process of changing social and environmental landscapes on a global scale, due to the natural demographic growth in urban areas and influx of population migration of population from rural areas. According to the statistics of the World Bank, in 2007 the population living in towns and cities has for the first time in history surpassed 50% of the world’s total population; by 2018, the population in urban areas have exceeded 4 billion, accounting for 55.3% of the total population. As urban populations grow, the quality of urban environment will play an increasingly important role in public health, with respect to issues ranging from waste disposal, access to potable water sources, sanitation and injury prevention, to issues relating to urban poverty, environment and health. To help countries address the challenges of urbanization, the United Nation has launched the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing the issues of urbanization through SDG 11: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. Relevant topics includes affordable and safe housing; inclusive and sustainable urbanization; safe, accessible and affordable transport system, etc.

Healthy City in 21^st Century: “The rule of city leadership” and “Towards One Planet Cities”

Dr. Agis Tsouros, former Director of Healthy Cities of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Dr. Tsouros presented that the concept of Healthy Cities is now more relevant than ever, after its inception some four decades ago. He emphasized that stronger city leadership and actions are essential for tackling public health, social and environmental challenges—as well as the implementation of new sustainable development goals for the planet. Prof. Trevor Hancock, the first leader of the Green Party of Canada, demonstrated that the “Anthropocene” concept, a new geologic epoch that humanity has created. The new geologic layers that characterize the Anthropocene represent dramatic and rapid changes in multiple Earth systems that, together, are the ultimate ecological determinants of our health. Collectively, humanity already exceeds the Earth’s bio-capacity. Yet we have only one planet, and we have to learn to live together, in harmony with each other and the Earth, in a way that ensures a good quality of life and good health for everyone.

Health and Environmental Protection Officials from Taiwan and U.S. Explored Building of a Healthier Urban Environment

The world is facing various challenges brought by urbanization. During the Forum, experts and scholars from the U.S. were invited to Taiwan to discuss topics relevant to urbanization.. Mr. Chang Tzi-Chin, Taiwan’s Minister of Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and the officials from U.S. EPA and health departments were invited to discuss how to achieve healthier urban environments within available resources, demonstrating cross-border, sectoral and discipline cooperation for the benefits of upholding environmental health. In addition, the Forum featured nine parallel sessions on urban life of the 21st century. Topics included “Population Aging and Technology Innovation”, “Urban Mental and Oral Health”, “Forging Ahead in a New Era of Cancer Prevention and Control”, “Environmental Health Promotion and Policy for Children”, “Dementia Environmental Design”, “Child Health in the 21st century”, “Loneliness in the Elderly”, “Caring for the Disadvantaged Healthcare”, and “Acute Care for Elders in a Super-aged Society”. The discussions and sharing of experiences in the Forum would serve as foundation to develop a series of strategies tackling future challenges for urban health and environment, as well as for realization of the sustainable development goals.

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Scholars from the United States, Japan and Hong Kong join forces in the “Senior Sports For Health”event!

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 15:27:00 GMT

Scholars from the United States, Japan and Hong Kong join forces in the “Senior Sports For Health”event!

To jointly promote sports for seniors for the betterment of national health, the Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (HPA) and the Sports Administration of the Ministry of Health (SA) co-organized the 2019 “Senior Sports for Health” National Sports and Health Policy Seminar at the Howard Civil Service International House on September 4th. Representatives from the industry, government, academics, media, and the public are invited to participate in cooperation to promote the sports for seniors and cultivate a healthy aging and happy future for the public.

Policy Implementation Enhanced Through Intra-Governmental, Cross-Border and Cross-Domain Exchanges

In alignment with the lifestyle of the elders, this seminar takes creating active lives, active homes and active environments as the sub-themes. Professors from Japan, Hong Kong, and the United States are invited to share their experience in promoting seniors walking events, lifestyle sports and the creation of a senior-friendly environment. As the finale of the forum, a roundtable session of the central government agencies (HPA and SA), local government agencies (Department of Health of New Taipei City Government), sports and physical therapy scholars / practitioners engaged in exchanges and experience sharing on cross-departmental and cross-field cooperation promotional experiences that jointly provided momentum to the forthcoming policy implementations. (https://tinyurl.com/y5pwhcyt).

Over 60% Senior Citizens Now Regularly Exercise, A Joint Effort by Two Ministries to Send Sports Professional to Community Stations

According to the survey on the current situation of sports in 2018, the proportion of the population participating in sports in Taiwan is 83.1%, and the proportion of the population who do sports regularly is 33.5%. Among them, the ratio of people over the age of 60 who participated in sports is 86.1%, and the ratio of people who exercise regularly is as high as 59.4%. It shows that the population participating in sports and the population of doing sports regularly are higher than the overall average. Indicative of the fact that they pay more attention to sports and health than other age groups. Although nearly 60% of the elderly have regular exercising habits, but as Taiwan has entered into an “aged society”, it has become increasingly important to also promote the health of senior citizens.

Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (HPA) and Sports Administration of the Ministry of Health (SA) agreed to jointly promote the “Seniors Sports for Health” program for increasing physical activity of the elderly this year (2019). Through the implementation of “localized stations and professional human resources”, professional guidance instructors for sports or physical activities are sent to the local community to help seniors enjoy the effect of health from sports and exercise. You can also visit the iSports Information Platform website of the SA to learn about the activities of each county and city, and then choose the sports courses (activities) that suit you （https://isports.sa.gov.tw/Index.aspx）.

Integration and Connection of Cross-Ministerial Resources for a Healthy Life

The World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that insufficient physical activity is the top ten risk factor for death in the world. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has also strongly advocated the concept of “Exercise is Medicine”. SA and HPA have continued to combine cross-ministerial forces to promote regular exercise and physical activity for the public jointly. For the past 4 years, they have cooperated in organizing seminars annually and developed the cooperation blueprints between the administrations in alignment with the World Health Organization’s “Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and Health 2018-2030”, to combine public health and sports for the betterment of our national health and happiness.

Healthy citizens are a country’s greatest asset. Physical activity and exercise are very important to promote the health of people of all ages. This seminar is organized by the two administrations through cross-departmental resource linkage and cooperation to promote national health and an environment that lead active lifestyles and enjoy sports. To further extend the fruits from the successful seminar, we welcome all partners to visit the Physical Activity Resources Center for Taiwan webpage (https://sites.google.com/view/parct2017) of the SA to download the presentation or the manual of this conference. The resources can also be used to promote physical activities in communities, workplaces, hospitals, and schools. Together, we can create a sports-friendly promoting environment.

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To protect children, we invite you to join the anti-smoking team and say no to e-cigarettes

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 10:15:00 GMT

Emerging tobacco products are highly attractive to young people!
According to the US National Youth Tobacco Survey [1], the prevalence of e-cigarette use among junior and senior high school students in the United States has soared to 4.9% and 20.8% in 2018, compared with 2012, the growth was about 4.5 times (from 1.1% to 4.9%) and 7.4 times (from 2.8% to 20.8%) respectively. After the release of such products, the usage rate has risen sharply, and the majority of users are teenagers.
The same situation also happened in Taiwan. According to the results of the 107 Health Promotion Agency's Youth Smoking Behavior Survey:
(1) The smoking rate of e-cigarettes among junior and senior high school students was 1.9% and 3.4% respectively, which was much higher than the 0.6% smoking rate of adults.
(2) The rates of both junior and senior high school students using cigarettes and e-cigarettes at the same time are 0.8% and 1.9%, which are also greater than 0.5% of adults.
(3) 37% and 20.9% of junior and senior high school students who use electronic cigarettes have never smoked.
The above-mentioned research and the survey results in Taiwan shown that emerging tobacco products are far more attractive to young people than adults. Even if Japan, South Korea, the United States and other countries ban the product from being sold to minors, it cannot prevent the use of young people from rising; in the case that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are not made open to the public in Taiwan, the use rate of teenagers is already higher than that of adults, and a large proportion of users are those who have never smoked. In order to protect the health of teenagers, we should oppose the import and sale of emerging tobacco products.

Emerging tobacco products lead to dual use and it is almost impossible to quit
According to the results of 1,102 e-liquids tested by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018, the detection rate of nicotine was 80.9%. Any e-cigarettes contain nicotine are managed with drugs, if they are manufactured or imported without approval, they may violate the relevant provisions of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act of counterfeit drugs or drug prohibitions. The maximum penalty is a fixed-term imprisonment of not more than ten years and a fine of not more than 100 million NTD. We hereby appeal to the public not to try the law by themselves.
In addition, the WHO has issued a statement that all forms of tobacco products, including emerging tobacco products, are harmful to the human body. According to research, in addition to the addictive properties of nicotine, emerging tobacco products also contain formaldehyde and other carcinogenic or harmful substances.
According to research in the United States, about 59% of adults and adolescents and 76.3% of e-cigarette users are dual users [2]. Dual users have two different sources of poisons, which are more harmful to the body than a single cigarette, and it is almost impossible to quit. Another study by Professor Chen Wei-Jian of National Taiwan University (2017) pointed out that teenagers who use e-cigarettes have a higher proportion of drug abuse than teenagers who do not use cigarettes (9.5% and 0.3%, respectively) [3].

Say No to e-cigarettes and protect the health of young people
There is no safe dose of smoke exposure. As long as smoke is inhaled, it is harmful to your health. Do not try anything that is addictive or has unknown ingredients. In addition to preventing e-cigarettes through inter-ministerial mobilization, if anyone finds information about illegal e-cigarette trafficking, he may call the toll-free hotline 0800-285-000 to report.

References:
1. 2018NYTS Data: A Startling Rise in Youth E-cigarette Use. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/2018-nyts-data-startling-rise-youth-e-cigarette -use
2. Tingting Yao(2017) Relationship between spending on electronic cigarettes, 30-day use, and disease symptoms among current adult cigarette smokers in the U.S.
3. Wei J. Chen(2017) Differences in prevalence, socio-behavioral correlates, and psychosocial distress between club drug and hard drug use in Taiwan: Results from the 2014 National Survey of Substance Use]]>

Directions on Application for Import and Export of Reproductive Cells and Embryos

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 09:32:52 GMT

Towards Elimination of Hepatitis of WHO

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 15:07:00 GMT

Towards Elimination of Hepatitis of WHO

Hepatitis B and C are highly risky factors leading to live cancer in Taiwan. According to record of cancer by Health Promotion Administration in 2016, 11,000 cases have been diagnosed with liver cancer which about 80% among them are infected by hepatitis B or C. To echo World Hepatitis Day on July 28 and the theme of Invest in Eliminating Hepatitis of WHO this year, the government promotes the prevention of both hepatitis B and C. Since 1986, the vaccination of hepatitis B for all newborns has been enforced that effectively intervenes the vertical route of infection from mother to child, allowing the next generation to avoid being infected by hepatitis B away from the suffering of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Regarding hepatitis C, the requirements of medication of hepatitis C have been relaxed to encourage all of these patients to receive treatment. It hopes to achieve in advance the goal of eliminating hepatitis of World Health Organization (WHO) in 2025.

Hepatitis B is the virus which infects most Taiwanese people and hepatitis C is in the second place. Both of them are main causes leading to chronic hepatitis and the death of liver cancer. Each year about 13,000 people die of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Liver cancer is the second leading cause of death of cancer. Most liver diseases do not show significant symptoms that people are unalert and postpone to receive medical care, regrettably causing ineffective treatment.

The First Step of Hepatitis Prevention: Hepatitis Screening

Through screening of hepatitis B and C, it allows for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment and effectively intervenes the triple of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Therefore, screening is the foremost threshold to intervene the development of disease. In terms of telephone survey by Health Promotion Administration in 2018, the result of health behavior of interviewing 3,703 people aged from 25 to 64 shows that 30% of population have not received screening of hepatitis B and C through blood testing.

Health Promotion Administration advocates that the public makes the most use of the screening resources of the government to navigate health. For those aged 45 or over, they could receive the screening of hepatitis B and C in terms of preventive health care services for adults. This year it extends to indigenous people aged from 40 to 60. In the future, the age limit under screening would be modified in accordance with financial conditions. Currently, there are about 6,000 medical institutions nationwide to provide preventive health care services for adults and the screening of hepatitis B and C. The list of medical institutions could be found linking to the website of Health Promotion Administration and it requires to make an inquiry to medical institutions about business hours and registration fees in advance.

The Second Step of Prevention of Hepatitis: Early Treatment of Those Tested Positive

To prevent hepatitis and accompanying diseases, it requires early screening with treatment in advance. The result of survey by Health Promotion Administration also suggests that 30% of population who are infected with hepatitis B and C do not receive medical care. Among them, 56.2% point out that medical care is not needed while no symptoms reveal. 15.7% do not know that they should go to see a doctor. Health Promotion Administration advices that over 50% of people with hepatitis C would have chronic hepatitis. Among them, 20% would lead to have liver cirrhosis. 3% to 5% with liver cirrhosis would get liver cancer each year. The public should receive medical care as early as possible if tested positive and never ignore health effect hepatitis causes.

The Third Step of Prevention of Hepatitis: Following Prescription with Regular tracking and Treatment

After the oral antiviral drugs emerge, the novel medication of hepatitis C not only shows low side effects, simple usage and short treatment period from eight to 12 weeks but also reaches the cure rate over 97%. The treatment of hepatitis C has been now included within benefit package of National Health Insurance. People must take the opportunity to receive the tracking and treatment in accordance with suggestions of physicians.

To Develop Good Habits, to Protect Liver and to Love Health

Health Promotion Administration reminds people of tips for protecting liver: 1. to avoid risky factors such as needle sharing, 2. to keep healthy conditions including healthy diet and lots of exercises, 3. to avoid alcohol to prevent fatty liver and alcoholic hepatitis. These are crucial principles to protect liver on a daily basis. The old saying often indicates that the life would be colorful as if healthy liver exists. To prevent hepatitis, the government spares no effort to implement screening and treatment. Meanwhile, the public takes action from daily life. It requires the joint effort to eliminate hepatitis.

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How to prevent Asthma Attack? Start from daily life to better control asthma

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 10:00:00 GMT

Peter, aged 11 years, has a 4-year history of recurrent asthma condition. He was first diagnosed with asthma when he was 8 years old, and currently has uncontrolled asthma attacks due to irregular follow-up visits and occasionally missed medication. He only presents to the hospital with treatment of acute asthma attack caused by asthma triggers such as infections, irritants, allergens or dramatic weather changes. The uncontrolled asthma condition not only affects his studies, but also causes mental and physical burden to his health.

The World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) that is held on the first Tuesday in May. For 2019 the World Asthma Day falls on May 7th, and the theme for this year is “STOP for Asthma: Symptom evaluation, Test response, Observe and assess, and Proceed to adjust Treatment”.

More than 70% of asthmatic patients do not adhere to follow-up visit, and 67.2% do not take medications/prescription drugs
Asthma is a common chronic disease with clinical symptom of chronic coughing and wheezing. The prolonged inflamed respiratory tracts of asthma patients are more susceptible to asthma trigger substances. Many asthma patients chose not to take medications or stop taking medication, especially during periods when they do not have asthma symptoms. This may cause asthma attack, and in some extreme cases, could cause respiratory failure or even death.

According to the 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the prevalence of asthma in children under 12 years old is 5.6%, of which 73.3% do not adhere to follow-up visit, and 67.2% do not use prescription drugs. In order to prevent recurrent asthma attack, individuals with asthma should reduce exposure to asthma trigger substances (dust mites, pollen, second-hand smoke, viral infection, etc.). In addition, patients should follow doctor’s instruction in taking medication and routine follow up visit is necessary.

Five Tips to Prevent from Asthma Attack:
Dr. Ying-Wei Wang, Director General of the Health Promotion Administration, provides five tips to properly control asthma in daily life to prevent asthma attacks, and ensure better quality of life and health:

Tip 1: Routine follow-up clinical visits and take medications regularly: Individuals with asthma condition should take medicines regularly to prevent inflammation in the airway. Parents or caretakers should follow doctor’s order to help teach children on how to use asthma medications properly. Routine follow-up clinical visit is necessary with asthmatic children to properly manage and control asthma.

Tip 2: Reduce exposure to asthma trigger substances and clean regularly: Allergens like dust mites, pet hair and dust are commonly found in beddings, stuffed toys, cloth and even corner areas. These substances can cause asthma attack in individuals with asthma. Cleaning should be done regularly; use vacuum cleaner or damp cloth instead of broom to prevent dust and allergens from flying off. Wear a mask when cleaning and ensure rooms are well-ventilated.

Tip 3: Wear a mask or face covering to protect your airways: Individuals with asthma are more likely to be infected with virus infection. If you have symptoms of colds or flu, get treated as early as possible. Minimize your exposure to cold air and asthma triggers such as allergens, air pollution irritants (pollen, cigarette smoke, exhaust emissions etc.), as they may trigger an asthma attack. Wear a mask or face covering and keep warm to protect your airways.

Tip 4: Limit intakes of cold food: Limit intakes on food such as ice cream or cold drinks etc., as they may cause bronchospasm for patients with coughing or phlegm asthmatic condition. Stay on track with the follow-up treatment plan and take your medicines at regular intervals.

Tip 5: Perform self-assessment on your asthma situation and stay updated: Determine your level of asthma situation with the use of the Asthma Control Assessment form by GINA. Discuss and talk to your doctor for appropriate treatment for uncontrolled asthma.

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Legislators, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education encouraged children and teenagers to say “No” to tobacco products.

Fri, 24 May 2019 17:38:26 GMT

To protect children and teenagers against e-cigarettes, flavored tobacco products, and heat-not-burn tobacco products. Legislator Man-Li Chen (陳曼麗), Kuen-Yuh Wu (吳焜裕), Yi-Ming Chen (陳宜民), the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Education made a propaganda for rejecting tobacco products. They encouraged teachers and students to say “No” to tobacco products with 10 slogans, such as Super Wisdom, Super Will, Super Gene, Super Immunity, Super Attractive, Super Vision, Super Hearing, Super Lung, Super Heart and Super Body.
Adult smoking prevalence had decreased from 15.3% in 2016 to 14.5% in 2017 ever since the implementation of Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, and the adolescent smoking prevalence had declined as well. However, the e-cigarette use among 7th to 12th grade students had almost doubled from 2.0% (7th-9th grade) and 2.1% (10th-12th grade) in 2014 to 3.7% and 4.8% in 2016. Young group are more susceptible to the flavors and modern designs of e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products. Traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products all contain nicotine. Adolescents’ brain has not matured, and nicotine impairs cognitive ability and attention. The U.S. surveyed adolescents from 12 to 18 years old and found that over 70% of those who had smoked in the past month had tried to quit smoking in the past year. However, over 80% of them failed to quit smoking because nicotine is highly addictive. The survey also indicated that smoking adolescents are 4-5 times more likely to have used marijuana and cocaine when compared with non-smoking adolescents. It was revealed that tobacco products are inseparable from alcohol and drug abuse.
“Anti-Smoking Superman in the Class” Facebook campaign is a platform for creating the smoke-free campus. Harlem Yu was invited to be “Anti-Smoking Superman” to advertise the campaign. He enthusiastically encouraged teachers and students to participate in the campaign.
Cigarette smoke is harmful to health and there is no safe dosage for the exposure to cigarette smoke. Keeping away from any tobacco products! Encouraging teachers and students to reject smoking and help more young people get rid of traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products with social media.

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Understanding rare diseases and deepen their medical and social support services

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 11:10:04 GMT

The European Organization for Rare Disorders (EURODIS) launched the campaign in 2008 to mark the last day of February as the International Rare Disease Day to raise the awareness and recognition of rare disease around the world. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Bridging Health and Social Care”. Seeing as the rare disease patients and their families often discontinue work or schooling during their search of related social support services, the focus of this year’s International Rare Disease Day is on the communication and connection of medical and social support service systems so as to help the patients and their families face the challenges they face on a daily basis.

Taiwan is the world’s fifth country to pass rare disease legislation and to safeguard rare disease patients by assisting them to obtain medication and subsidies
In order to strengthen the care for rare disease patients, in 2000, Taiwan passed the “Rare Disease and Orphan Drug Act” as the source of law that protects the basic medical rights of rare disease patients. At the same time, making Taiwan the fifth country in the world to pass the legislation for rare diseases. The content of the legislation combined rare disease prevention and control as well as orphan drugs, setting a precedent in the world that better meet the needs of rare disease patients. Since then, it has been amended four times, and besides assisting rare disease patients to successfully obtain the orphan drugs, special nutritional foods essential for the maintenance of life, and related medical subsidies, the Act also aims to prevent the occurrence of rare diseases, provide incentives and ensure the manufacture and research of orphan drugs and special nutritional foods. By January 2019, Taiwan government has announced 223 rare diseases, 105 rare disease drugs, 40 special nutritional foods for rare diseases, and received more than 15,500 reports of confirmed rare disease cases.

A great policy includes prevention and care
In order to enhance the care for rare disease patients, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) initiated the “Program for Rare Disease Care Services” as of December 2017. After the open bid, the Administration commissioned 8 medical centers to jointly provide rare disease patients and families related disease information, psychological support, reproductive care, care consultation services, and outreach depending on patient needs. Furthermore, the program provides disease information and referral services to patients that include medical subsidies, special nutritional foods, emergency medication, domestic and international testing, household medical facilities for maintenance of life. The Administration integrates ~~all~~ the necessary services and information by combining social welfare channels and related resources from civil organizations, to reduce the burden on rare disease families. By January 2019, the program has provided 5,028 people related services.

Moreover, the HPA provides medical subsidies that have been approved and reviewed by experts, up to 80% that is not covered by the National Health Insurance Act, including foreign and domestic diagnostic testing, rental of household medical facilities, treatment, and drugs. For low-income or middle-low-income households, the HPA provides full subsidies. Additionally, the special nutritional foods needed is fully subsidized by the Administration. A single contact window consultation hotline (Tel: 02-2545-9066) is available for the public, and a logistics center that coordinates the necessary special nutritional foods and emergency drugs to maintain the life support of patients. In 2018, the Administration has subsidized 2,914 people times.

Reach out to the rare disease patients and extend the spirit of rare disease care
Rare diseases are difficult to cure, that also involve a lifetime’s long journey of treatment and care. Join hands with the government to assist rare disease patients and their family, and let’s integrate medical and social resources as well as a support service system to form a warm, loving care network that supports and provides timely assistance to the rare disease patients and families in their battle against rare diseases.

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E-cigarettes pose threat to teen health: HPA

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 10:50:00 GMT

    WIDE UPTAKE:Four out of 10 teenagers smoke flavored cigarettes, especially girls, and 38,000 minors smoked electronic cigarettes, last year’s national tobacco survey showed.
    The number of smokers in Taiwan has been falling for years, but flavored and electronic cigarettes are tempting young people to try smoking and harming their health, while also exposing them to secondhand smoke, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said on Friday.
    Smoking among junior-high school students dropped from 7.8 percent to 2.8 percent from 2008 to last year and from 14.8 percent to 8 percent among senior-high school students, the agency said in a statement.
    That reflects a trend across Taiwan of fewer people smoking, it said, adding that the smoking rate among adults decreased from 21.9 percent to 13 percent.
    However, four out of 10 teenagers smoke flavored cigarettes, with more girls using the products than boys, and it is estimated that more than 38,000 minors smoke e-cigarettes, the HPA said, citing last year’s Taiwan Global Youth Tobacco Survey.
    Such alternative tobacco products are a "sugar-coated poison," the agency said, adding that their flavors and attractive designs might create the false impression that they are relatively harmless or less addictive than traditional cigarettes, but both products contain nicotine and can harm people’s health.
    Research shows that e-cigarettes not only can cause cancer, asthma and strokes, but might also explode, HPA Director-General Wang Ying-wei (王英偉) said.
    The annual survey found that about 30 percent of teenagers are exposed to secondhand smoke at home, with half of them exposed to cigarette smoke on a daily basis, the HPA said.
    Secondhand smoke is harmful to children’s health, Wang said, urging adults and parents to give up smoking to ensure a safe and healthy family environment.
    "One person smoking means the whole family is smoking," he said.
    Smoking indoors is also a main cause of air pollution at home, with the concentration of PM2.5 pollutants rising to 10 times the level if there is a smoker at home, he added.

2019.01.13英文台北時報Taiwan News「E-cigarettes pose threat to teen health: HPA

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An Elderly at home, the Life is happiest "Age-Friendly LOHAS Life"-"Grandparents" New song declaration.

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 17:26:00 GMT

According to statistics by Ministry of the Interior. Republic of China (Taiwan). At the end of 2016 Taiwan over 65 years old Elderly population nearly 3.43 million, for 14.56% of total population, Taiwan has entered the advanced age society, and expected after 7 years, Elderly population will exceed 20% of the total, become to super advanced age society.
“2017 The Survey Report of the Elderly” to Ministry of Health and Welfare, the over 65 years old Elderly with other family member living together for 33.6% of total population, it means for every 10 household in average, have a 3 household to three Generation living together. Health Promotion Administration. Ministry of Health and Welfare (HPA) specially invited Mr. Jian Shangren, who is famous in the compiling Taiwanese Folk songs and Taiwanese Nursery rhyme, he created Taiwanese Nursery rhyme-“Grandparents”, through a catchy song to children, the song let children enhance to interaction with grandparents, to promote the elderly healthy and family happiness.

Kind to Elderly of social, keep vibrant
HPA Mr. Ying-Wei Wang explain, in order to promote Age-friendly and concern community, use simple lyrics, that respect the elderly and pamper grandparents to compile a song in the life, at the same time, in the recorded music, invite elderly and children use simple dance, song, form a positive image of kind, healthy, happy and life master to elderly by children, health promoting of elderly and active aging, targeting “less sick”, “delay aging” & “live better”, improve the quality of life in the elderly.
The song “Grandparents” is based cultural element of county music to create by Mr. Jian, though communicate to county cultural and harmony of elderly to encourage elderly “keep a healthy and keep a happy mood”. HPA hope though the song to promotion elderly healthy, order to Age-friendly education into people lifestyle, into the music class in nursery school, elementary school and junior high school, chorus, or performance to promotion song, will be regularly competitions activities for the elderly, though assign song, Media by website, Movie, Community website or performance.

More confident to Elderly by Social
Mr. Jian is a over 65 year old Elderly, he still continues to work on the collection, organization, creation and promotion of Taiwanese Folk songs and Taiwanese Nursery rhyme, promote local music through Taiwanese folk music performances, his also Intelligent accumulation and cultural experience, continuous song creation, is also the most expressive of the elderly health, intelligence of one of the spokesmen.
Basis HPA “Health promotion business Promotion status andresults survey “ for 2017 , Phone Access 2 million 4,638 person, the people over the fifteen years old view of the elderly, 78.3% people agree that the elderly "have the ability to solve problems",67.0% of the people over age think they have "the ability to solve problems",46.6% of the Seniors over age do not agree that they are "frail", Compare Recent 2 Annual statistics, the positive attitude of the people towards the elderly, whether it is the views of the elderly or the public, shows an increasing trend. The community recognizes the ability of the elderly to contribute continuously and provides elderly and friendly environmental support so that the elderly can get along with young generations or learn from each other, interact with each other and bring them closer together, so that the elderly can be more healthy and confident.

Do you want to see “Grandparents” the cute face? Welcome to HPA Live platform be involved together or visit YOUTUBE search https://youtu.be/WXagZXZZXGc.

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The Three-arrow Strategy on Cancer Prevention for World Cancer Day

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 11:43:00 GMT

In recent years, we have heard a lot of news about celebrities passing away from cancer. Apart from our sorrow and regrets, it also raises the public awareness of the impact of cancer to our health. As February 4 is the World Cancer Day, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) calls for everyone to join this year’s campaign – “I Am and I Will”. Whoever you are, you have the power to reduce the impact of cancer for yourself. At the beginning of a new year, the Health Promotion Administration lists below the “Three–arrow strategy” for achieving a healthy life. Cancer prevention may not be a dream, but may become a reality.

First arrow: I am willing to quit smoking, drinking, and chewing betel quid
Mr. Kuo, who is a construction worker, used to smoke and chew betel quid. When he first noticed the abnormal, painful swelling in his oral cavity, he went to see the doctor and was diagnosed with oral cancer. He was recommended to quit chewing betel nut. After the diagnosis, Mr. Kuo participated in the smoking and betel quid cessation program, and he finally succeeded.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that 30%-50% of all cancers can be prevented. Cancer risk factors include cigarettes, alcohol, betel quid, overweight and obesity, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, tumor virus (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human papillomavirus) infection. There is strong evidence that an individual’s risk of developing cancer can be substantially reduced by healthy behavior: not using tobacco, alcohol, and betel quid, getting sufficient physical activity, eating healthy foods in moderation. If we can effectively promote healthy behaviors, much of the suffering and death from cancer can be prevented or reduced. By exercising 30minutes every day, one can achieve the WHO recommended 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity throughout the week. You can undertake in order to kick start your healthy lifestyle by taking a balanced diet including six major food groups (fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, grains and oils), and cutting low fat, sodium, and sugar in the New Year.

Second arrow: I am eligible for cancer screening, I will take part in the four cancer screening tests!
Mr. Lin, aged 53 this year, received a colorectal cancer screening (fecal immunochemical test, FIT) last year. He received positive (abnormal) FIT and was advised to be followed-up with colonoscopy. One polyp was found during colonoscopy and was completely removed in the same time. It is recommended that Mr. Lin should take follow-up exams with his physician every two years.
In his case, as polyps are found early during a colonoscopy, doctors can remove it and stop colorectal cancer before it starts. If the pre-cancer lesion was detected through the screening, it could be treated easily to prevent cancer. Currently, the government provides and subsidizes four major cancer screening, namely colorectal cancer, oral cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer to citizens. The four cancer screening services have proven to be effective in reducing the mortality. In Taiwan, the survival rate of breast cancer from early detection (Stage 0,1, and 2) is as high as 90%. Moreover, the survival rate of colorectal, cervical and oral cancer through early detection (Stage 0-1) is also as high as 80%. Getting screening tests regularly may find breast, cervical,　oral and colorectal (colon) cancers early, said by HPA, when treatment is likely to work best.

Third arrow: If I am a cancer patient, I am willing to choose the standard treatments!
Ms. Wang said that she drove in a state of panic after finding out she had breast cancer. Without her family and medical team, she could not accept her surgery and chemotherapy. After she had completed cancer treatment, she went back for follow-up examinations regularly and was able to return to work as she did before.
When patients are diagnosed with cancer, it is immense pressure on the patients, mentally and physically. It is imperative that people support them and accompany them through the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The HPA has invested resources to roll out the “Oncology Nurse Navigator Program”. Once a patient has been diagnosed with cancer, the oncology nurse manager would proactively contact the patient and encourage them to take timely treatment. Furthermore, the emotional support, encouragement, and experience sharing by other cancer patients help patients to understand the importance of receiving treatment as early as possible.

Director-General Ying-Wei Wang invites the public, no matter the healthy, cancer survivors, or the patients currently fighting cancer to participate in the “Three-arrow Strategy ” and join the “I Am and I Will” campaign.

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The 4+1 Programs of Smart Workplaces. Innovative Services to Increase Health

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 11:41:00 GMT

Office workers spend one third a day of their time in office. But people often forget to pay attention to their own health when they are busy. According to Health Promotion Administration (HPA) 「2017 Workforce Health Promotion Status Quote Phone Survey」, more than 80% (83.0%) of domestic employees in the workplace did not reach the HPA’s recommended amount of fruit and vegetables, more than one-half (53.4%)of the weekly physical activity did not reach the level of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity by the World Health Organization, while nearly 40% (39.2%) were overweight or obese (24.7% overweight and 14.5% obese).
Dr. Wang Ying-Wei, Director-General, Health Promotion Administration said, in order to promote the health of employees in the workplace, the National Health Service has established a health workplace promotion center in the three regions of North, Central and South since 2007, and continues to work with local government health bureaus to promote workplace health promotion issues. In addition, with the advancement of smart technology in recent years, the Health Department has begun to use intelligent health promotion services to strength of the individual's behavior and social connections.
Since 2017, HPA has initiated ”build the smart health city project”, using “smart workplaces” promotion service model in Taipei city. First in Taipei's large, medium and small workplaces, such as Taiwan Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Anxin Food Service Co., Ltd. and China Ticket Finance Co., Ltd., Main theme of this project is “healthy body weight management”, and closely workplace’s employee lifestyle. By smart technology services model to provide smart health promotion service , such as healthy diet, physical activity and healthy body weight.

The 4+1 Programs of Smart Workplaces. Employee healthy management assistant
In order to promote employee’s healthy behavior, such as to enhance exercise, to alter the sedentary status, to enhance drinking water, and to increase the rates of fruits and vegetables intake. Develop accords with workplace environment and employee lifestyle in service model, and having a healthy work-life balance. HPA has initiated ” the 4+1 programs of smart workplaces”, and workplace interventions in 2018, to verifying the effectiveness of service model.

1. Intelligent Hall：
Using waiting times, fragmented leisure times in health promotion. Promoting health in the waiting times, fragmented leisure times. Set up a health measurement stop, intelligent seat cushion, healthy management assistant robot, exercising in zero-time exercise blood pressure detection, body weight measurement, To improve health awareness and self-management, to increase the measurement frequency of health-related biofactors, and to enhance the participation rate of zero-time exercise.

2. Sports Office
The seat cushion could remind move when living a sedentary lifestyle spend too much time. Combine intelligent seat cushions, intelligent conference tables, adjustable lifting desk, intelligent sports equipment. Combine steppers with remind in time and adjustable lifting desk, to alter the sedentary status in office worker population, and to enhance the participation rate of zero-time exercise.

3. Intelligent Water Intake
Group of friends drink water! Using intelligent water intake, could be water intake reminder, group of friends drink water, mutually care for each other's drinking, and send messages about water intake reminder. In addition, it can be establish the regular water-drinking habit through about provide the record and analysis of water intake.

4. Intelligent Staircase
Using the stairs instead of the elevator, it will reduce energy saving, carbon reduction and exercise. By smart sensor, to take the stairs-using reminder, record of exercise, and to increase the willingness of stairs-using, to enhance the participation rate of zero-time exercise via intelligent-modified staircase.

5. App of Health Instrument Panel
By visualize self‐management, to provide the food calorie calculator, healthy eating around the workplace and the map of exercise. To elevate the personal healthy awareness, balanced daily food intake, untrientcomposition analysis, and to enhance the participation rate of zero-time exercise in workplace.

“The 4+1 Programs of Smart Workplace” finished the trial and effectiveness verification by the end of 2018, and then use the of programs to another workplace. “The 4+1 Programs of Smart Workplace” will lead the new wave of healthy workplaces.

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Say No to Prenatal Sex Selection!

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 10:00:00 GMT

Heightened Awareness of Gender Equality
Joint Hand To Safeguard Every New Born
The sex ratio at birth (SRB) is the ratio of newborn baby boys to baby girls. According to international literature, the SRB is typically between 1.04 and 1.06 under natural situation. However in Asian countries, the historical and cultural factors in patriarchal society often led to the imbalance of SRB in the past. To enable SRB to return to normal, Ministry of Health and Welfare has established the inter-agency SRB Task Force since 2010, complete with laws specifically banning prenatal sex selection and gender-preference abortions. HPA has worked with local health bureaus to monitor the SRB through birth reporting system and organize training for health professionals and the general public to promote the ban on gender selection through diverse channels of communication, to help promote the concept of Boys And Girls All The Same Precious So Refuse Prenatal Sex Selection, to safeguard every new born.
With efforts by relevant government agencies, the SRB reduced from 1.09 in 2010 to 1.069 in 2018; for third birth in particular, the SRB lowered from 1.188 in 2010 to 1.098 in 2018, showing an increasingly balanced SRB.
According to Taiwan Fertility and Family Survey conducted by HPA once every 4 years, on the question of“Boy or Girl, the way nature intended!”, favorite response from married women increased from 39.51% in 2012 to 43.49% in 2016, while favorite response from married men jumped from 44.54% in 2012 to 48.53% in 2016, showing an increasing awareness of gender equality.

Girls and Boys All equally precious The Same Precious
Health and happiness are the most important
With the promotion of the gender equality policy in Taiwan, people pay much attention to gender equality issues. Nowadays, gender discrepancies have faded in aspects such as family and workplace. HPA continues to call on the public to shed the traditional concept of patriarchy and carrying on the family name, cherishing every life on their way to the world because they are the most unique and precious baby regardless of sex.
According to health-related laws in Taiwan, gender selection during pregnancy is prohibited. Gender selection or gender-preference abortion is banned unless medically required. Even for embryos through assisted reproductive technology, the fetal gender should not be revealed in any form except for medical purpose. Health-related laws and Penalties have been published on the website of HPA (https://reurl.cc/OV0Ny). Any case of illegal test or sex selection may be reported to HPA by SRB hotline at 0800-870-870.

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Mid-autumn festival that will not put more weight on you and barbecuing that is healthy for the colon

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 10:11:00 GMT

Beside chomping on moon cakes during the mid-autumn festival, one would also smell the mouth-watering barbecue parties in neighborhoods all around. However, when eating barbecued food, one should be careful of ingesting carcinogens as well. According to the cancer registry data of 2015, one out of 13 people will contract colorectal cancer, with a 7.7% possibility of contracting colorectal cancer in one’s lifetime. For a healthy digestive tract, the Health Promotion Administration advises the public to eat less barbecued red meat and processed meat and eat more vegetables with meat slices for lesser burden on your health. Take advantage of the gathering during festivities, and please remind your friends and family to take regular colorectal cancer screening and prevent the threat of cancer.

Add flavor with colorful vegetables for a healthy and delicious mid-autumn festival
Generally, when we are barbecuing, we lay the meat on the grill that is placed on top of the charcoal and add flavor to the meat with large amounts of barbecue sauce. During this process, the fat from the sauce and meat drip on the high-temperature flames that creates a carcinogen- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), that is attached to the surface of the food. Moreover, cooking at high temperatures (over 100 °C) will also create another carcinogen - Heterocyclic amines. Therefore, while indulging in your delicious barbecue, you are also increasing your chances of contracting colorectal cancer.
For mid-autumn barbecue party, it is recommended to replace red meat with white meat and eat less barbecued and processed meat. When eating barbecued meat, it is recommended to mix vegetables with high fiber and different colors such as water rice, mushrooms, green pepper, and baby corn, or alternatively enjoy your meat wrapped in lettuce to reduce the burden on your health when celebrating the festivities.

Healthy digestive tract starts from two-mores, one-less, and one-must
During the mid-autumn festival dinner parties, although it is important to catch up with friends and family, avoid binge eating that would affect the health of your digestive tract. Director General Ying-Wei Wang of the Health Promotion Administration advises the public to practice the four tips – two-mores, one-less, and one-must for a truly, healthy digestive tract.

●More vegetables and fruit: select fresh vegetable and fruits that are rich in fiber, color, and in season. Examples include broccoli, oyster mushroom, onion, and sweet pepper. Beside opting for foods that are filling and promote enterogastric peristalsis, it is recommended to eat in moderate amounts.
●More exercise: people who are overweight are one to two times more likely to contract colorectal cancer than the general public, and 21%-25% of colorectal cancer can be attributed to lack of exercise. Therefore, it is important to maintain a habit of exercising regularly. So, take a walk with your family and friends after your mid-autumn festival meal, not only to catch up, but to keep healthy as well.
●Less red meat: International Cancer Agency has stated that by ingesting over 50 grams of processed meat products or 100 grams of red meat (pork, lamb, beef daily) would increase the risks of colorectal cancer by 17%.
●Must take screening: colorectal cancer often occurs in those who are over 50 years of age.The risk of colorectal cancer increases as people get older. Research has shown that by receiving the fecal occult blood test once every two years can effectively reduce the colorectal cancer mortality by 20%-30%.

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Prevention of breast cancer, Breast cancer is the enemy of women's health, Breast cancer is the highest incidence of cancer among women in our country

Tue, 08 May 2018 16:22:36 GMT

Breast cancer is the number one cancer incidence among women in our country and the fourth leading cause of death. Every year, there are more than 10,000 women suffering from breast cancer and about 2,000 women die from breast cancer. This poses a great threat to the health of women, so we often hear from Friends who are suffering from breast cancer. The National Health Administration reminded that "early prevention, early detection and early treatment" is the best way to face breast cancer positively. In addition and having a healthy away from tobacco, alcohol, diet and regular exercise can help prevent breast cancer. After the age of 45 you should get regular breast X-ray examination, if there are any abnormal results you should consult a doctor, face the facts, and accept the results, handle.in order to reduce the damage caused by breast cancer.

Healthy lifestyle is the key to a third of breast cancer preventions

The most important aspect of cancer prevention is "prevention is better than cure." However, the risk factors for breast cancer can be classified as congenital and acquired. Congenital include early onset of menopause, late menopause, absence of childbirth or birth of first child after age 30, Breastfeeding, with a family history of breast cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer or endometrial cancer and other individuals can’t change the factors. Acquired is more their own decisions whether to change, there unhealthy life patterns, including smoking, Alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. The American Cancer Institute (AICR) pointed out that up to 38% of breast cancers are preventable. Therefore, women should pay more attention to whether they have the above-mentioned risk of breast cancer or not, and should stay away from tobacco and alcohol when they are young. A balanced diet, develop regular exercise habits, should also reduce exposure to plasticizers and other harmful substances, and timely release of physical and psychological pressure.

Mammography can help reduce the risk of breast cancer

However, if it can’t prevent breast cancer, female friends can still reduce the risk of death from breast cancer through mammography. Mammography is the best tool for breast cancer screening. Both local and international evidence support the early detection of breast cancer. Therefore, women and friends should take special care when screening for breast cancer. Currently, government subsidies for women aged 45 to 69 are entitled to a free mammogram once every two years while women who have a blood-related maternal disease such as second-hand parents can start earlier than 40 years of age.
About 770,000 women in our country are inspected every year, but this accounts for only 40% of the women screened. It is understood that 60% of women who do not want to undergo breast cancer screening are healthy, do not need to check, and 20% are too busy and have no time. This is likely to lead to the missed opportunity of early discovery! National Health Department reminded that breast cancer can be quickly detected and treated by early screening, and more than 90% chance of 5-year survival rate into the cancer, we should get tested regularly to ensure that our breasts are healthy.

Those who meet the screening criteria should be screened regularly to keep your rights asleep

45-69 year old women and friends, if you do not know whether you are qualified for a mammography examination this year or not, you can ask the major hospitals or your local health bureau (the institution); Don’t examine the week before menstruation (Due to breast swelling, squeeze the breasts more susceptible to discomfort), on the day do not wear jumpsuits, do not apply deodorant, powder and skin creams in the breasts, armpit (because it will produce shadows affect interpretation results). Every few years endure minor discomfort, and you will be healthy!]]>

The Health Promotion Administration pushed "Cancer Control Advanced Program” and saved nearly 40,000 people in 225 hospitals

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:01:24 GMT

Cancer has been ranked No. 1 among the top 10 causes of death in the country for 33 years. In order to reduce the threat of cancer, the Health Promotion Administration has been expanding its screening service for four cancers since 1999. Each year, it cooperates with more than 200 hospitals to implement the “Program”. At present, there are about 12,000 medical institutions that can carry out cancer screening in the country, which can provide more than 5 million screening services per year and find 48,000 precancerous lesions and 11,000 cancer patients. In 2016, 225 institutions participated voluntarily “Cancer Control Advanced Program “ provided 2.81 million cancer screening services (accounting for about 55% of the national screening volume), identified 31,000 cases of precancerous lesions and estimated 8,000 Cancer cases so that people can receive treatment as soon as possible, regain the health and quality of life, but also reduce the back end of the huge medical expenses, the successful rescue of nearly 40,000 people. Through the improvement of the information system and the medical check-up process, a friendly cancer screening system has been established in the hospital and the willingness of public to accept cancer screening has been successfully raised.

66 backbone academies were praised and new model awards were added

Out of 225 institutions, 66 health institutions and 20 anti-cancer active individuals promoted the 105 annual Cancer Screening Excellence Awards organized by the National Institutes of Health to award and share experiences on July 18, (List see Annex). In addition to the previous years, this year's awards commend in addition to the past 105 years of "screening efficiency", "positive case detection rate" and "excellent detection of precancerous lesions and cancer cases" , positive case comfir Efficacy Excellence "and" the largest number of precancerous lesions and cancer cases confirmed "highest honor awarded - Model Award winning hospitals: Changhua Christian Hospital, Chiayi Christian Hospital and Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Common strategies in these hospitals include:

First, the identification of information systems:

Through the information system to remind medical staff, the public is eligible for screening.

Second, a one-stop cancer screening card:

Eligible people simply come up with a health insurance card to quickly receive a complete screening service.

Third, optimize the traffic flow:

Let the outpatient and accompanying families, to complete the screening process does

not affect the inspection process. Through these three strategies, to create a rapid and complete screening environment; to enhance the public's willingness to accept screening.

Winners experience sharing, as long as the intention, everyone can become cancer screening expert.

The hospital to promote cancer screening success, the key, including: the whole hospital mobilization, all subjects into; also cross-industry alliance, in order to poen up a new blue screen cancer screening.

In view of some hospitals to increase manpower but there is no effective screening, especially invited for this ceremony Cancer Prevention Center attached to the Chung Shan Medical University Hospital chief Wenmei, Fu to share, how to make good use of the outpatient hospital information system, improve the screening process, follow the example of the convenience store caupon collecting in trade of gifts activities to encourage hospital staff input, so that prevention and treatment of cancer into a hospital movement. In addition, at the same time, Medical Center was invited to share ways on how to alliance from factories and expand its cancer prevention and treatment work to the field out side the hospital.

Ying-Wei, Wang Director- General of Health Promotion Administration Department called for, in addition to cooperation through concerted government units, medical units, health units, to save lives, people should also seize their rights, make good use of cancer screening services resources, if the hospital prompted eligible, immediately accepted the cancer screening, is the best way to keep healthy.

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One person smokes, the whole family get exposed. If you love your family, don’t hurt them and stop smoking!

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 14:42:46 GMT

Many smokers know that the harmful effects are not only affecting to themselves, but also harming the others in the vicinity. However, most smokers do not know that if one person smokes, the whole family get exposed. Besides, they do not know that the child exposed by tobacco smoke will get disease or even be death. There are 24,000 deaths from tobacco use and 3,000 deaths from second-hand smoke every year in Taiwan. In addition, there is about 150,000 to 230,000 people getting disease caused by second-hand smoke every year, which is equivalent to one death of non-smoker getting disease caused by other smokers every 2 minutes.

According to Global Youth Tobacco Survey from Health Promotion Administration in 2016, 90% of the youth know that the harmful effects of second-hand smoke (95.2% in junior high school students and 93.8% in senior high and vocational high school students). However, more than 30% of the youth get exposed to second-hand smoke due to the elder member of family smoking at home (32.6% in junior high school students and 32.4% in senior high and vocational high school students).

Most of the heavy smokers think that the harm of tobacco only happens during smoking and think that it will be safe merely by changing places or opening windows. In fact, second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke are carcinogens. They can still harm the others at any concentration even you smoke at indoor well-ventilated places.

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Children below 7 years has the right to 7 times health examination, just need to pay registration fee. Regular health examination guardian of Children’s health.

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 14:34:00 GMT

Dear Parents, Health Promotion Administration (HPA) provides 7 times health examinations to children below 7 years of age. You just need to pay medical registration fee to enjoy health examination services for your child.

We urge parents and primary caregivers to take their children for scheduled health examinations at medical institutions as listed in the Children’s Health Booklet, for a better understanding on their child’s health status, early diagnosis of abnormalities and early intervention thus, laying the foundation for good health.

Dual approach: Free 7 times health examinations and health education guidance to protect the health of children below 7 years of age.

According to HPA statistics, during the past 2 years the average utilization rate of 7 times children preventive health care services was about 75% and still over 20% children did not complete the utilization of all 7 services.

HPA subsidizes 7 times free health examinations for children below 7 years of age, provided through institutions with pediatric or family medicine departments. Health examinations mainly includes: growth assessment (height, weight, head circumference), physical examination (hearing, eye, oral examination etc.) developmental evaluation (gross motor, fine motor, language expression) etc.

In addition, HPA also provides 7 free child health education guidance services to parents or primary caregivers on a one-on-one basis with physicians. Consultants are available if there are health and diet-related concerns.

Parents note: Remember to fill “Parent Records” section before health examination

Parents and primary caregivers are the most personal observers of children, but according to the 2013 National Health Survey, less than 50% (43.9%) parents completed the “Parent Records” section in the children’s health booklet before the inspection. HPA urges parents to observe the growth status of their children at home (refer to the children's development leaflet in the booklet to check the development status of the child) or if there are child-rearing issues, record it in the “Parent Records” section of the booklet before health examination, this will help paramedics to have more relevant information during child development assessment. If the child is diagnosed with developmental abnormality, the physician will inform parents about referrals for further medical attention.

To avoid parents running around, child health examinations provided by HPA has been integrated with the vaccination schedule provided by Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan, each health check-up is paired with 1 vaccination. Parents, please take your children to regular health check-ups as “the first wealth is your child’s health”. At present, about 3,540 medical institutions across the country provides child health examination services, which can be accessed through “child free health examination” on HPA website.

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World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2017

Wed, 31 May 2017 09:54:00 GMT

Tobacco – a threat to development

WHO is calling on countries to prioritize and accelerate tobacco control efforts as part of their responses to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Every year, on 31 May, WHO and partners mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), highlighting the health and additional risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2017 is "Tobacco – a threat to development." It will demonstrate the threats that the tobacco industry poses to the sustainable development of all countries, including the health and economic well-being of their citizens. And it will propose measures that governments and the public should take to promote health and development by confronting the global tobacco crisis. All countries benefit from successfully controlling the tobacco epidemic, above all by protecting their citizens from the harms of tobacco use and reducing its economic toll on national economies. The aim of the Sustainable Development Agenda, and its global goals, is to ensure that "no one is left behind."

More than 7 million deaths from tobacco use every year, a figure that is predicted to grow to more than 8 million a year by 2030 without intensified action. Tobacco use is a threat to any person, regardless of gender, age, race, cultural or educational background. It brings suffering, disease, and death, impoverishing families and national economies. Tobacco control has been enshrined in the Sustainable Development Agenda. It is seen as one of the most effective means to help achieve SDG target. It is not only governments who can step up tobacco control efforts: people can contribute on an individual level to making a sustainable, tobacco-free world. People can commit to never take up tobacco products. Those who do use tobacco can quit the habit, or seek help in doing so, which will in turn protect their health as well as people exposed to second-hand smoke, including children, other family members and friends. Money not spent on tobacco can be, in turn, used for other essential uses, including the purchase of healthy food, healthcare and education.

WHO demonstrate that tobacco use costs national economies enormously through increased health-care costs and decreased productivity. It worsens health inequalities and exacerbates poverty, as the poorest people spend less on essentials such as food, education and health care. Some 80% of premature deaths from tobacco occur in low- or middle-income countries, which face increased challenges to achieving their development goals. Tobacco growing requires large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers, which can be toxic and pollute water supplies. Each year, tobacco growing uses 4.3 million hectares of land, resulting in global deforestation between 2% and 4%. Tobacco manufacturing also produces over 2 million tonnes of solid waste. Moreover, tobacco use causes premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancers chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and diabetes.

A report from WHO in March 2017 indicated that 570,000 children under 5 years die from respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, attributable to indoor and outdoor air pollution, and second-hand smoke every year. Tobacco smoke harms the health of people silently and it is an invisible killer to children’s health. It is important to take the harms of tobacco smoke to children seriously and to protect them from it.

There are 27,000 deaths from tobacco use every year in Taiwan and 50% of them are attributable to cancer. Diseases caused by tobacco use cost 144.1 billion dollars that account for 1.06% of GDP. It is obviously to realize the impact of tobacco use to the public and the country.

Tobacco control can break the cycle of poverty, contribute to ending hunger, promote sustainable agriculture and economic growth, and combat climate change. Enforcing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and reducing tobacco consumption can help achieve SDG target. Health Promotion Administration actively cooperates with the government, NGOs, the industry and the public to promote tobacco control in order to reduce number of smokers and prevent people from second-hand smoke. Let us say “No” to tobacco and put an end to tobacco threat, bringing our next generation a healthier future
1.World Health Organization. (2017, May 31). World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018, from http://www.who.int/campaigns/no-tobacco-day/2017/event/en/
2.World Health Organization. (n. d. ). The cost of a polluted environment: 1.7 million child deaths a year, says WHO. Retrieved January 25, 2018, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2017/pollution-child-death/en/
3.World Health Organization. (n. d.). An estimated 12.6 million deaths each year are attributable to unhealthy environments. Retrieved January 25, 2018, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2016/deaths-attributable-to-unhealthy-environments/en/]]>

Tackle Your Obesity, Mind Your Kidney!

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 16:04:00 GMT

As the population ages and people with high blood pressure and diabetes increase, end-stage renal disease has become a global health issue. In Taiwan, nephritis (the inflammation of the kidneys), nephrotic syndrome (collection of symptoms due to kidney damage) and kidney pathological changes was ranked 9^th amongst the top ten causes of deaths in 2015;about 4700 persons died of kidney related diseases every year. There are many reasons that can lead to kidney diseases; studies have shown that obesity will increase the likelihood of chronic kidney diseases, and also aggravate the disease progression. In order to decrease the harm from obesity, the theme of the World Kidney Day this year is “Kidney Disease & Obesity – Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys”, emphasizing the importance of maintaining kidney health through healthy lifestyles.

According to research by the Health Promotion Administration (HPA), 1 in every 10 persons aged 20 and over in Taiwan is diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Additionally, the prevalence of overweight and obese adults reached 43%. The relation between weight and kidney disease is something the public should not ignore. According to President Lu, Kuo-Cheng, President of Taiwan Society of Nephrology (TSN), obesity can result in glomerular over-filtration and glomerular hypertension, and subsequently aggravate the condition of chronic kidney disease. Obesity increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and hyperlipidemia (the “3 Highs”), which are also the risk factors of kidney diseases. The HPA suggests everyone to not underestimate the acceleration of kidney pathological changes caused by obesity. Not only could it impact personal health, but also have significant social and economic influences. If the kidney isn’t protected with care, it may ultimately lead to dialysis; in 2016, the cost of dialysis from NHI-contracted hospital reached NTD 35.5 billion, accounting for 5.7% of the NHI budget.

Do not underestimate obesity: up to 56% patients with kidney disease are overweight or obese

According to the HPA, the rate of overweight and obese in chronic kidney disease patients (40 years old and over) reached 56.3% (male: 62.8%; female 45.9%) (chart1). In addition, nearly half of chronic kidney disease patients with overweight and obese issues do not engage in weight control. Among them, female patients with chronic kidney disease accounted for 58.7%, which is more than male (45.9%, chart2). Moreover, in chronic kidney disease patients with overweight and obese issues (40 years old and over), 43% did not do any physical activities in the past month (female with chronic kidney disease, 54.1%; male with chronic kidney disease, 38%) (chart3).

Tackle obesity and keep kidney healthy

Obesity can result in glomerulus hypertrophy, glomerular over-filtration and the increase of proteinuria (protein in urine), which subsequently lead to segmental glomerulosclerosis increases the incidence of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease. In addition, obesity is also a risk factor of the “3 Highs” (high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia), and the 3 Highs can also aggravate kidney disease. Therefore, tackling obesity can help in controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid, and slow down the progress of kidney disease. As a reminder, in order to prevent kidney diseases, tackling obesity is the first thing to do!

Patients with chronic kidney disease should counter obesity by starting with regular exercise, healthy diet and weight control, in order to decrease the burden of the kidney and stop or slow down the progress of kidney diseases. For patients with chronic kidney disease, HPA proposes the “3 Rules for Health: Regular Exercise, Healthy Diet, Weight Control” to protect your kidney, hoping everyone will embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Regular Exercise

HPA recommends engaging in moderate to rigorous exercise (such as walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, dancing, etc.) at least 5 days a week. The exercise should be at least 30 minutes per day, and the heart rate should reach 130bpm after the exercise. It’s best to do exercises that can improve pulmonary function. For those who are older, overweight (or obese), do not engage in regular exercises or have cardiac diseases, we suggest to go through evaluation and exercise tests by physicians or other medical professionals first to choose the safest and most efficient way to exercise.

Healthy Diet

At the initial stages of chronic kidney disease (stage 1-3a), low-protein diet is not required, but avoiding excessive protein intake is necessary. It is suggested that no more than 1.0gm/kg of protein intake per day. Patients and families can consult physicians and nutritionist to come up with the most suitable diet plan according to your height, weight, sex, age and condition, and slow down the progress of disease and maintain health by abiding the rules of balanced diet, eating fixed amount of carbohydrates and high fiber, and the right amount of fat and less salt.

Weight Control

You can choose to control your weight under the guidance of nutritionist, join a peer support group and lose weight together, or call the HPA’s healthy weight management hotline at 0800-367-100. Nutritionists and exercise professionals offer free exercise consultation services every day from 9:00am to9:00pm, in both Mandarin and Taiwanese languages. We welcome patients with chronic kidney diseases to make good use of the resources above and eliminate threats from obesity and chronic kidney disease.

Love Your Kidney, Protect Your Kidney, Healthy Your Life: advocacy activities and seminars

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundation (IFKF) have set the second Thursday of March every year as the World Kidney Day. This year the World Kidney Day falls on March 9^th, and the theme is “Kidney Disease and Obesity & Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys”. The official website suggests 8 golden rules for kidney health, which includes:

Keep fit and active
Keep regular control of your blood sugar level
Monitor your blood pressure
Eat healthy and keep your weight in check
Maintain a healthy fluid intake
Do not smoke
Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis
Get your kidney functions checked if you have one or more of the ‘high risk’ factors

In order to advocate the World Kidney Day in Taiwan, the HPA cooperated with the TSN, cities and counties health bureau, NGOs and health institutions. Starting from March 3, fun fairs will be held in every city and county. There will be examination service, health education posters, healthy food court, prize quizzes, sweepstake draws and other activities, promoting the public’s knowledge on protecting kidneys and providing free kidney examination service. Additionally, seminars on prevention of kidney disease will also be held in various places. For more details, please go to the HPA’s official website.

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No more defective eyesight! Going outdoors during holidays to safeguard your sight

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 14:40:00 GMT

According to the survey conducted by the Health Promotion Administration, major reasons for causing myopia amongst children are eye strain (overuse) and lack of outdoor activities. Children tend to use electronic devices longer on weekends and holidays than weekdays or school days. Moreover, using electronic devices too close to their eyes can result in worsening myopia.

Children with myopia are less outdoors and spend longer hours overstraining their eyes

According to the statistics of the Ministry of Education, in 2015, grade one students with defective eyesight (including myopia, astigmatism, and amblyopia) was 26.1%, grade six students with defective eyesight was 63.9%, and first year junior high school students with defective eyesight was 69%. Furthermore, according to the 2013 National Health Interview Survey, the occurrence of myopia diagnosed by physicians was 7.3% for ages 2 to 6 and 48.8% for ages 7 to 11. For the average of amount of time spent on television, computers, internet, games, and reading, children ages 2 to 6 spend 2.5 hours per day on weekdays and 3.5 hours on weekends and holidays, whereas children ages 7 to 11 spend 2.4 hours per day on weekdays and as high as 5.2 hours on weekends and holidays. In retrospect, only a quarter of children ages 2 to 6 and a fifth of children ages 7 to 11 engage in outdoor activities. Comparing children with myopia to those without or not yet diagnosed with myopia, children with myopia have less frequent outdoor activities, with longer periods of studying and cram school activities.

Evidence showed that engaging in at least 11 hours of outdoor activities every week can reduce the incidence and worsening of myopia. It is recommended to protect your eyesight through 2 to 3 hours of outdoor activities every day. During the winter holidays and Chinese New Year, parents could organize family outings and bring their children to the outdoors, preventing overstraining their eyes from using different kinds of electronic devices. Not letting electronic devices accompany your children this Chinese New Year is the first step to prevent myopia and worsening of eyesight.

Myopia is a disease and high degree myopia can result in loss of eyesight

The Health Promotion Administration reminds the public that myopia cannot be recovered. The younger one develops myopia, the faster one’s eyesight worsens. Once the myopia exceeds -6.0D, one can develop early cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration that could lead to eventual loss of eyesight. If parents find their children squinting, rubbing their eyes, or reading and watching something closely, it is advised to take the children to the Ophthalmologist for further examinations. Early detection allows for early remediation and prevents worsening of eyesight.

“Two don’ts and three do’s” against defective eyesight
Comparing children with myopia to those without or not yet diagnosed with myopia, children with myopia have less frequent outdoor activities, with longer periods of studying and cram school activities. In order to prevent myopia and effectively control the severity of nearsightedness among children, the HPA advises the two don’ts and three do’s:

Don’t 1: do not allow screen time for children before the age of 2

Don’t 2: do not allow more than one hour of screen time for children over the age of 2

Do 1: Maintain 35cm to 40cm of distance for reading books

Do 2: Ensure 10 minutes of rest after every 30 minutes of eye usage

Do 3: Engage in outdoor activities for 2 to 3 hours every day

Head outdoors with your children to prevent myopia
Children are the treasures of every parent. Good eyesight brings about better learning. The Health Promotion Administration advises parents to keep children away from the risk factors of myopia. Comforting children with smartphones and tablets may lead to early onset of myopia or worsening of eyesight. Parents are also advised to be aware of their own visual health and setting an example by putting down electronic devices and spending more time outdoors with their children. Outdoor activities will not only improve family bonding but also enhance their physical fitness. Fight defective eyesight this winter holidays in preparation for the upcoming semester.

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Taiwan Tobacco Control Annual Report 2015

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:33:32 GMT

Taiwan_Tobacco_Control_Annual_Report_2015(pdf format)]]>

Prevent Stroke and Heart Disease

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT

High blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes easily result in stroke.
Get treatment as soon as possible if any symptoms are found.

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Statistical Report (Department of Adult and Elderly Health)

Fri, 30 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

1. A happy, healthier life without diabetes Diabetes prevention and control
1) Plan the development of Monofilament screening tools and diabetes management teaching materials for the under-educated elderly. Revise diabetes prevention guidelines.
2) Conduct multimedia marketing and promotion of a healthier lifestyle in order to raise the awareness of Taiwanese citizens regarding diabetes.
3) Administer the health of persons considered to be at high risk of contracting diabetes by conducting early warning detections to prevent onset of diabetes.
4) Raise the standards of diabetic treatment and care across all levels of organizations. Publish the booklet Instructions on How to Create Joint Efforts for the Treatment of Diabetes to assist the 25 cities and counties nationwide in developing a universally standard system for diabetic care and staff certification.
5) Establish 132 institutions to promote treatment and prevention of diabetes and to emphasize a consolidated and professional service.
6) Create a total of 423 diabetic patient support groups to assist patients in effectively controlling diabetes.
7) Formulate a step-by-step monitoring system for diabetic care.

2. Cardiovascular diseases Prevention and Control
1) Setting September as the healthy heart promotion month to work in concert with the World Heart Day campaign.
2) Complete of the survey on The prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipemia, and hyperglycemia in Taiwan, 2002.
3) Follow-up Study of Hypertension, Hyperglycemia, and Hypercholesterolemia in Taiwan, 2006. is going.
4) Developing Intervention study on blood pressure, blood sugar and dyslipidemia control.
5) Producing cardiovascular diseases educational materials such as: booklet, pamphlets, posters, video tapes, CD, DVD etc.
6) Developing national guidelines on hypertension and dyslipidemia.
7) Provides integrated on-the-site screenings in community of chronic diseases for adults and the elderly. Extensively implementing community healthcare management programs to follow-up cases detected.
8) Expanding health promotion programs for high risk groups of cardiovascular diseases, in order to prevent and lower the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.
9) Provide training opportunities for 73 medical personnel to learn more about community health education in order to help prevent coronary diseases.
10) Oversee The Pioneering Project on the Control and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases to possibly set up a complete prevention model including early diagnosis, health education, and case management.
11) Promoting shared care to upgrade the care quality for chronic disease patients.
12) Planning to set up stroke preventive center to establish an entire service structure including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
13) Developing community case management model for stroke patients in order to reduce recurrent rate.
14) Authorize Taipei Medical University Hospital to devise a stroke prevention and treatment standard that can serve as a model for the Stroke Prevention Centers in other hospitals.

3. Asthma prevention and care
1) Completed a three-year asthma prevention scheme.
2) Promoted The Asthma Patient Health Consultation Services. As of 2004, 78 hospitals have joined this program.
3) Administered governmental medical staff (2002 and 2003), families of children with asthma (2004), and caretakers in kindergartens (2005) trainings on the care and treatment of asthma in children.
4) Created an asthmatic patients self-help kit in 2004, and promoted the material in 2005.
5) Constructed the following epidemiology and management case studies:
a. A study of the application and effective of case management in improving school and home health care for asthma children between urban and rural area (2003-2004).
b. Case Management and Child Health of Children Asthmatic in Schools (2003-2005).
c. Prevalence of Adulthood Asthma in Southern Taiwan (2004) and in the eastern Taiwan (2005).
d. Establishment of asthma education network in Taoyuan (2004-2005).
e. Evaluation of Self Care for Continue care of Patients with Asthma in NHI Program (2004)
f. Establish evaluation model of the health counseling and promotion agencies for asthma. (2004)
g. Developed an experimental plan for asthma patients online management. (2004)

4. Kidney disease prevention and care
1) Completed the three-year renal disease care, prevention, and treatment plan.
2) Promote the medical professional personnel training of kidney disease prevention.
3) Produce the kidney care educational materials)
a. Kidney Care booklets, fact sheets, posters, video, tapes, etc
b. For People with Kidney Disease: Kidney Disease Care Booklet (Excluding people on dialysis)

4) Set up health counseling and promotion agencies for kidney at 12 medical care institutions to increase public education on kidney care, and decrease the prevalence of End-Stage Kidney Disease.)
5) Establish the research for kidney disease
a. Establish a kidney care model within medical organizations which provides integrated and multidisciplinary treatment regimen and education program for patients with chronic kidney diseases (2003).
b. Set up Taiwan kidney registry of End-Stage Renal Disease patients and establishment of clinical performance measures (2003).
c. Epidemiological study of End-Stage Kidney Disease patients in Taiwan: ten years survey (2003).
d. Establish the Hemodialysis Clinical Practice Guideline and Hemodialysis Procedure Guideline in Taiwan (2003).
e. The study was to explore the knowledge, attitude and behavior for renal health care in general population (2004).
f. Develop an experimental plan for the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases as well as the management for kidney care in the community: With the community as a unit, early signs of the disease are to be detected and follow-up management implemented.

5. Beauty comes with healthcare during Menopause period
1) Completed a three-year plan for health care of menopause period in 2005 in order to actively promote health care on education and services, and to establish a friendly environment for people going through menopause period.
2) Gather medical experts to discuss the issue on hormone replacement treatment (HRT). Develop and publish the hormone replacement treatment (HRT) Guide.
3) Compose a plan to train dedicated volunteers and to establish menopausal support groups and community service projects. In 2002, a total of five hospitals had joined the program. The number had increased to 10 in 2003 and 15 in 2004.
4) Developed a continuing education plan for doctors dealing with menopause care (2003), and a seminar for medical staffs in charge of menopausal care in (2004). As a result, medical staffs have increased their knowledge and skills in the subject.
5) The Taiwan Menopausal Association operates a menopausal inquiry and service line at 0800-00-5107 as a convenient way to provide accurate information (2003).
6) In 2004, a Health Seminar and Arts Festival for people going through menopause in seven remote areas were held. In addition to the Arts Festival (drama or concert), the participants had received health information in a relaxing environment. In 2005, there such events have been held.
7) Published A Menopausal Care Instruction Booklet, and Osteoporosis Prevention teaching materials.

6. The consolidation of preventative health care within a community
In order to make health care more effective, since 2002, we have been encouraging county and city governments to consolidate health care resources. More specifically, they can combine existing services, such as adult preventative health care and cancer prevention, to promote consolidated health care services.
From 2002 to 2005, we have achieved the following:
1) Counties in participation: In 2002 five counties and cities joined the program. In 2003 the number increased to 17. In 2004 and 2005 19 counties and cities had joined, including Keelung, Taipei County, Taipei City, Taoyuan County, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Miaoli county, Nantou County, Taichung County, Taichung City, Yunlin County, Changhua County, Chiayi County, Tainan County, Kaohsiung County, Pintung County, Ilan County, Hualien County, and Taitung County.
2) General public participation: 540,000 people used the consolidated service and were quite satisfied. (2003-2004)
3) Diagnostic results and case follow-ups: In 2004, of the 336,000 people who received check-ups, 88,266 had abnormal blood pressure with a 91.1% successful follow-up rate. There were 28,722 cases of abnormal blood sugar levels, with a 86.7% successful follow-up rate. Of the 62,773 with abnormal blood lipid levels, 87.9% had a successful follow-up rate.
4) In order to increase participation in the consolidated health care program and to raise the level and standard of service, training courses and symposiums are provided in the Northern, Central, Southern, and Eastern areas of Taiwan. Evaluation standards for consolidated preventative health care have also been established.

7. Integrated Preventive Healthcare Service (IPHS)
1) Goals of IPHS are as the follows:
a. Increasing the utilization of preventive care services (especially in the healthcare facilities deficient area).
b. Early detection and intervention of high-risk and pre-clinical cases.
c. Improving the effectiveness of case management.
d. Integrating the 3 level of prevention including health promotion and education, early detection and treatment and medical care system.

2) IPHS Implementation is as the follows:
a. The first priority is current provided items including NHI Adult PHS,PAP smear, community 3H screening (BP, blood sugar &cholesterol)and cancer screening (oral, breast, cervical, colorectal Ca)
b. The options are based on local needs and financial support including hepatoma screening, bone density examination and body fat examination...etc.

3) From 2002 to 2005, we have achieved the following aspects:
a. Counties in participation: In 2002 five counties and cities joined the program. In 2003 the number increased to 17. In 2004 and 2005, 19 counties and cities had joined, including Keelung, Taipei County, Taipei City, Taoyuan County, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Miaoli county, Nantou County, Taichung County, Taichung City, Yunlin County, Changhua County, Chiayi County, Tainan County, Kaohsiung County, Pintung County, Ilan County, Hualien County, and Taitung County.
b. General public participation: 540,000 people used the consolidated service and were quite satisfied. (2003-2004)
c. Referral Rate in 2004......]]>