OUR OBSESSION with 'short-term goals' such as making money instead of maintaining good health has taken its toll especially after the Asian financial crisis, according to a leading academic who specialises in health education, promotion and development.
Professor Albert Lee, director of the Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, says part of the reason why Hong Kong has yet to 'recover fully' is that we have not paid enough attention to our physical, psychological and social well-being over the past six years.
To raise young people's awareness of health, the doctor introduced an award programme three years ago.
The scheme also aims to instil among the next generation the concept that 'prevention is better than cure'.
According to Professor Lee, one aspect of health is about lifestyle.
'If we don't litter our streets, we would have a better living environ-ment. So our habits affect our environment,' he says.
Since 2001, close to 100 schools have joined the award programme.
