Editorial | Hong Kong is making the right moves to keep diabetes at bay

Chinese University projects and a government scheme for subsidised private sector screening are welcome steps to combat the increasingly prevalent disease

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More than 700,000 people in the city have diabetes, placing them at risk of severe complications such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 6:45am, 8 Nov 2025

The growing global health threat posed by diabetes has rightly been described as an epidemic. The chronic condition is a serious concern in Hong Kong. More than 700,000 people in the city have diabetes, placing them at risk of severe complications such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.

The condition cost 570 Hongkongers their lives in 2023, but changes to lifestyle can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and it can be managed with treatment. That is why the early identification of those at risk and timely intervention are so important. Two research projects at the Chinese University of Hong Kong are making a significant contribution.

The prevalence of young-onset diabetes, diagnosed before the age of 40, is a concern, with patients at higher risk of serious complications. A scheme, led by CUHK, aims to screen 9,000 adults under 44 who have at least one diabetes risk factor, such as a family history of the disease or obesity. Of 3,328 people tested so far, 45 per cent have been found to be at high risk. Participants receive reports on their risk levels and recommendations, while those at high risk are further tested and supported. The scheme is making a difference.

CUHK, working with Oxford University in the UK, has also developed a predictive model for Chinese diabetes patients, the first of its kind, to determine their risk of developing 10 serious conditions and the likely impact on their quality of life. This tool will aid doctors in deciding the best treatment and could make the healthcare required cheaper and more accessible. The government launched a three-year pilot scheme for subsidised private sector screening and treatment for diabetes in 2023. Such efforts should be enhanced.

There is a need for greater awareness of diabetes and the lifestyle changes that reduce risks. Maintaining a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and exercising regularly are key factors in preventing or delaying the onset of the disease, and they contribute to good health generally.

World Diabetes Day is on November 14. With hundreds of millions of sufferers globally, every effort is needed to combat the disease and save lives.

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