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Figure b

Percentage of People of Having At Least One Chronic Disease

Data Source: Census and Statistics Department (2013)

The annual voucher will target individuals diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes initially, because
these two chronic diseases are most prevalent in Hong Kong. According to data from Census and Statistics Depart-
ment (2014), about 10% of the population aged between 50 and 59 years old are suffering from hypertension and 5%
from diabetes. For those aged between 60 and 64, 20% suffer from hypertension and 10% have diabetes (Figure c). As
the population ages, more people will have chronic disease as well as multiple chronic diseases.

Figure c

Chronic Disease by Type and Age

Data Source: Census and Statistics Department (2013); Our Hong Kong Foundation

The Voucher Scheme subsidizes recipients We recommend the government to consider
to consult a private general practitioner in their neigh- providing a subsidy for screening and management of
borhoods to assess and screen for, and manage their chronic disease. For the first screening tier, a HK$1,000
chronic diseases while early, before it has a significant voucher amount will be provided to the population who
impact on their health. Better health allows the general are 45 years old and above. People who are identified
population to continue to contribute to the society, the with the chronic disease(s) of hypertension and/or dia-
productivity of the workforce can thus be enhanced and betes will then be provided with a consequential vouch-
demand for health and social care services can be low- er. Based on a number of assumptions and scenarios,
ered. This recommendation additionally aims at mobiliz- this second tier is estimated to be HK$3,040 per year for
ing private primary care resources and expertise in the hypertension and/or diabetes.
community, so that all resources in the health system
can be fully utilized. Because there are currently 3.51 million of peo-
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