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	To safeguard public, free of charge for eligible persons vaccination is available under This link will open in a new windowCOVID-19 Vaccination Programme. To minimise the risk of serious complications or death after COVID-19 infection, those at high risk, particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities, should receive a free JN.1 vaccine booster dose as soon as possible if they have received their last dose or had COVID-19 infection more than 6 months ago (whichever is later). Members of the public who have not received the initial dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get free JN.1 vaccination as soon as possible. Genetic analysis has shown that the predominant circulating strains in Hong Kong are still JN.1 and its related variants. The JN.1 vaccines currently used in Hong Kong can effectively prevent the related variant.
	This link will open in a new windowAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) evolve to become resistant to previously effective medications (i.e. antimicrobials). It is considered one of the greatest threats to global health and economy. Antibiotics, a type of antimicrobial, are medications used for treating bacterial infection. When antibiotics wipe out disease-causing bacteria in our body, normal bacteria are also killed, thereby increasing the opportunity for resistant bacteria to grow and multiply. These resistant bacteria are sometimes referred to as ‘superbugs’. Some superbugs are capable of resisting more than one antibiotic causing infections difficult to treat. Although there may be non-first-line antibiotics available, they may be less effective or cause more side effects. Moreover, AMR develops at a fast rate than the development of new medicines. If the problem of AMR does not improve, there would be fewer effective treatment options. To combat antimicrobial resistance, members of the public should follow your doctor’s advice when taking antibiotics; do not demand antibiotics from your doctor; do not stop taking antibiotics by yourselves even if you are feeling better; practise frequent hand hygiene, especially before eating and taking medicine, and after going to the toilet; ensure your vaccination is up-to-date; and maintain cough etiquette, wear a surgical mask if you have respiratory symptoms.
	This link will open in a new windowSeasonal influenza is an acute illness of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. In Hong Kong, seasonal influenza is usually more common in periods from January to March/April and from July to August. Influenza viruses mainly spread through droplets when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. To prevent seasonal influenza, members of the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. The infection may also spread by direct contact with the secretions of infected persons. A person getting influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and has a higher risk of death, and seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) may reduce in influenza-associated hospitalisation and death. The experts highly recommended priority groups to receive seasonal influenza vaccine and additional COVID-19 booster at the same time as soon as possible, to guard against the possible COVID-19 upsurge and flu season which may appear simultaneously. Please consult family doctors about the details of receiving seasonal influenza vaccination.
	When the weather gets cold, elderly may feel unwell due to the lowering of body temperature as a result of their weaker temperature control mechanism and less subcutaneous fat. Excessive drop in body temperature can lead to hypothermia. Persons with chronic illnesses such as chronic respiratory illnesses or heart disease are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather. Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which in turn slows down the ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders, may undermine the health of the elderly and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Therefore, elderly should This link will open in a new windowbe prepared for cold weather.
	Studies show that regular physical activity (PA) can give us tremendous health benefits. Normally, the term “physical activity” is interpreted as sports being done in a full set of sport gear, like running or playing basketball. However, PA is not limited to those activities. In fact, any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that exerts energy expenditure is regarded as physical activity. Therefore, a simple and sustainable way to increase your daily PA level is to This link will open in a new windowmake PA a regular habit in your life. Starting from today, enjoy the fun of PA and experience its benefits to health.
	When it comes to fat, a lot of people want to keep their distance, because all they can think of is obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other illnesses. In fact, fat is an essential nutrient and the major source of energy to meet our body’s need. So let's This link will open in a new windowlook at fat in depth.
	Health indices in Hong Kong rank among the best in the world.
	The life expectancy at birth increased from 67.8 years for males and 75.3 years for females in 1971 to 82.8^# years and 88.4^# years respectively in 2024.
	The population of Hong Kong has been ageing steadily. In 2024, 22.8% of the population were aged 65 and above (12.1% in 2004, 14.7% in 2014) and the elderly dependency ratio was 340 per 1 000 population aged between 15 and 64 (165 in 2004, 198 in 2014).
	In 2024, the registered crude death rate^* was 7.0^# per 1 000 population. In the last two decades, the age-specific death rates for all age groups have shown a steady decline. The age-standardised death rate^*, which takes into account population ageing, was 2.5^# per 1 000 standard population^ in 2024.
	Infant mortality rate^* was consistently low at 1.7^# per 1 000 registered live births^*in 2024.
	Maternal mortality ratio^* remained low over the last two decades. There were two registered maternal death^* in 2024, giving a maternal mortality ratio^* of 5.4^# per 100 000 registered live births^*.
	Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remained to be the major causes of death in 2024. Four major NCDs, namely malignant neoplasms (cancer), cardiovascular diseases (which include diseases of heart and cerebrovascular diseases), chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus, together accounted for 52.7%^# of all registered deaths^* in 2024.
	* The figures are based on births or deaths registered under the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance (Cap. 174, Laws of Hong Kong) during the specified period. ^ Based on the world standard population specified in GPE Discussion Paper Series: No.31, EIP/GPE/EBD, World Health Organization, 2001. # Provisional figures.