KE Spotlight - Community Engagement - HKU Knowledge Exchange

HKU to expand "Youth Quitline" services to contribute to a smoke-free Hong Kong

HKU's "Youth Quitline", established to help young people quit smoking, has received over 5,000 telephone enquiries and provided cessation counselling for 1,257 (up till September, 2013) youth smokers over the past eight years. 21.9% of participants quitted smoking after receiving services of the "Youth Quitline". It was found that the main reasons for young people to quit smoking were to lead a healthy life and save money. The Tobacco Control Office has granted further funding for the University to continue the existing services, as well as to expand the services through multi-media platforms to reach more youth smokers.

Knowledge Exchange Awards 2013

The Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards were introduced in 2011 in order to recognize each Faculty's outstanding KE accomplishment that has made demonstrable economic, social or cultural impacts to benefit the community, business/industry, or partner organizations. Results of the 2013 Faculty KE Awards are now available.

HKU and Universities in USA find face masks can reduce the spread of influenza

There is very little scientific research on whether wearing surgical face masks can help to reduce the spread of influenza. In view of this, the School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Maryland and Harvard School of Public Health have conducted a study on this issue and are the first to report that influenza carriers who wear surgical face masks can reduce the amount of viruses being disseminated into the environment by more than 70%, thus reducing the spread of influenza in the community.

HKU's collaborative study finds limited efficacy of non-pharmacological treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Supplementation with omega-3/omega-6 free fatty acids such as cod liver oil, elimination of artificial food colorings and psychological treatments are often regarded as treatments for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some parents may prefer non-pharmacological interventions for their children with ADHD. However, a recent research study, with participation by the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy of The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and conducted by The European ADHD Guidelines Group, shows that there is still limited evidence on the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions. Parents should be made aware of the results of the current study. This analysis provides an important reference about ADHD management for clinicians.

HKU partners with Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) to launch handbook and mobile phone app for blood patients

HKU and Queen Mary Hospital have launched a handbook, website and smartphone app that will provide medical professionals and patients with information on the latest treatments available for blood cancers and diseases. The project was funded by HKU and the Queen Mary Hospital. The protocol marks a new model of medical practice in Hong Kong, which allows quick exchange of new knowledge and experience. It is the first time that online technology is harnessed in the dissemination of medical management and treatment standards in Hong Kong.

Communicating serious health hazards of Hong Kong air: A new version of the Hedley Environmental Index

Hong Kong's air quality has been deteriorating over 20 years and today presents a serious daily threat to the health of the public and for future generations. The Environmental Protection Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government relies on the Air Pollution Index (HKAPI) to communicate the health hazards of pollution to the public. However, the standards used by HKAPI are 25 years out of date, primitive and seriously misleading. The risk categories in the HKAPI bear no relationship to the currently measured bad health outcomes in the population. In order to create a new approach to health risk communication and to inform and assist the public in the interpretation of pollution levels, a group of researchers at The University of Hong Kong School of Public Health developed the Hedley Environmental Index (HEI) in 2008 and launched an updated version on January 17, 2012 to improve the hourly estimation of air pollution impacts on bad health outcomes and economic costs. The new HEI is based on the latest scientific evidence for health risks and referenced to the World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines (AQG).

Faculty Knowledge Exchange Awards 2011

Most faculties have introduced Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Award this year in order to recognize the faculty's outstanding KE accomplishment that has made demonstrable economic, social or cultural impacts to benefit the community, business/industry, or partner organizations.