In the Media
Recovery from the Pandemic: The Perceived Family Xingfu
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the lifestyles of many people have undergone significant changes, including how they communicate and interact with families. To better understand these changes, the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project, led by the HKU School of Nursing, conducted an online survey to explore how Hongkongers perceive family Xingfu (family well-being and happiness), and how family service models can respond to the constantly evolving needs of families to promote a positive and proactive approach to family life in the post-pandemic era.
Over 4,500 Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above were interviewed between July 6 and August 26, 2023. The results showed that nearly 60 percent of respondents rated their Family Xingfu score as high. One key finding indicated that family members who often had fun with family (79.8%), praised their family members (75.7%), or accompanied their family members (67.3%) were more likely to report a high Family Xingfu score.
Professor Kelvin Wang Man-ping, who was Principal Investigator of the project, encouraged increasing quality time and communication frequency with family members. “The survey shows that respondents hope to use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to enhance Family Xingfu. We will continue to collaborate with Integrated Family Service Centres and Integrated Services Centres to organise public activities, enhance family services and strengthen family functions to improve family relationships," he said.
(Media Outreach Newswire – June 13, 2024)
Mindfulness Practice for Parkinson's Disease Patients
In Hong Kong, around 13,000 individuals in their 60s have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Professor Jojo Kwok Yan-yan, Assistant Professor, emphasises the importance of public awareness of early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as rapid eye movement sleep, hyposmia, constipation, and depression. As patients with Parkinson’s disease often face mobility challenges and emotional difficulties, Professor Kwok advocates the use of mindfulness practices to help reduce the impact of the condition.
“We have observed that Parkinson’s care tends to focus primarily on physical rehabilitation and medical treatment, often overlooking the emotional well-being and stress management of patients,” she explained. “Therefore, the HKU School of Nursing launched a mindfulness programme in 2017 to introduce psychological support through mindfulness techniques.” This approach has not only led to significant improvements in walking ability but also helps to alleviate stress and anxiety. Through mindfulness practice, patients can learn to regulate their emotions, explore mental well-being, and stay present in the moment.
Professor Kwok also noted that mindfulness practice can reduce levels of the inflammatory marker interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients, which helps to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease and has a sustained effect in reducing depression for up to six months.
She added, “The Jockey Club Movin’ Care for Parkinson’s Disease Project was introduced in 2023 to promote public awareness of Parkinson’s disease. It is also crucial to sustain services within the community; therefore, we have been training healthcare professionals, yoga instructors, dance instructors, and others to raise public awareness of Parkinson’s disease and enhance understanding of how to support the physical and psychological needs of patients.”
(RTHK《精靈一點》– June 18, 2025)
Evaluation of the Smoking Cessation Programme in the Workplace
Since 2013, with the support of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the Department of Health, the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society has organised a frontline employee smoking cessation programme. The sixth phase concluded in December 2024 and a team led by Professor Kelvin Wang Man-ping from the School was commissioned to evaluate its effectiveness.
In the sixth phase, 126 corporations participated and over 900 smoking employees received smoking cessation services, a 16.6% increase over the previous phase. Over the past 12 years, over 600 companies have participated, serving over 24,000 employees and providing smoking cessation counselling to over 4,300 smoking employees.
The programme provides two different types of smoking cessation counselling services: (1) industry-specific health talks and personalised WhatsApp communication; and (2) industry-specific health talks and regular SMS reminders. Both programmes provide participants with 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy, phone consultation service and leaflets.
The study led by Professor Wang began in January 2023, with smokers followed up by phone at five different times on their smoking cessation status in the previous 7 days. The follow-up times were 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after participating in the counselling service. The analysis of all participants as of July 2025 showed that the overall employee smoking cessation rate was 23.9% within 6 months and 28.1% within the 12-month follow-up period. The overall smoking cessation and reduction rate reached 44.6%.
(Bastille Post, HKCD, on.cc; Yahoo HK – August 21, 2025; Oriental Daily, Sing Pao; RTHK《千禧年代》– August 22, 2025)
Using AI Chatbot to Help Smoking Cessation
A study by HKU Youth Quitline, led by the HKU School of Nursing, one of the world’s leading research teams on smoking cessation and tobacco control policy, has evaluated the effectiveness of a generative AI chatbot it developed for smoking cessation, in comparison with a traditional telephone counselling service.
Supported by the Health Bureau’s Health and Medical Research Fund, the study was conducted from July to November 2024, involving over 150 teenagers aged 25 or below who had smoked in the past 30 days. Results showed that the quit rate among those using AI chatbot counselling was 23%, which was higher than the 17% observed among the telephone counselling users.
Dr Kevin Luk Tzu-tsun, Project Director of HKU Youth Quitline and Honorary Assistant Professor at the School, said, “Traditional smoking cessation medications are less effective for teenagers. Therefore, we offer counselling and developed the AI chatbot.” Professor Kelvin Wang Man-ping, Assistant Dean (Professional Development in Health Sciences), added, “Over 60% of smokers in Hong Kong begin smoking before the age of 19, making adolescence a key period for prevention. Since 2005, HKU Youth Quitline has counselled over 4,000 teens with a 25% success rate in six months. As young people prefer text communication, the team is upgrading the chatbot to WhatsApp and planning ecological momentary assessment (EMA) studies to further personalise services.”
(Hong Kong Economic Times, Ming Pao Daily News, hket.com, mingpao.com, RTHK《自由風自由 PHONE》– September 8, 2025)
Using AI Model Enables Personalised Risk Stratification and Resource Optimised Care
An interim report from the HEARTWISE study led by the School has found that patients with “Three Highs” – hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia – face up to a 70% risk of recurrent cardiovascular events within ten years. The findings further show that over 90% of cardiovascular patients presented with at least one "Three Highs" condition; the ten-year recurrence risk reaches 70%, with significant variations across different risk profiles; and stroke survivors face particularly high recurrence rates.
Professor Celine Chui Sze-ling, Assistant Professor, said, “These findings are based on the AI-driven P-CARDIAC risk assessment model, which was developed using up to 3 million electronic medical records from the Hospital Authority. The model analyses more than 120 risk variables while incorporating individual patient characteristics.” Moreover, the model was specifically designed for Chinese populations, highlighting the importance of personalised risk management.
Professor Chui also emphasised the need to adopt P-CARDIAC into clinical practice. “This demonstrates the transformative potential of AI in clinical decision-making.” Healthcare professionals can use the P-CARDIAC AI model to predict the risk of a major cardiovascular event and develop personalised treatment plans, ultimately reducing the long-term burden on the Hong Kong healthcare system.
(RTHK English News, menafn.com, dailybulletin.com.au – October 26, 2025; HKET, thebusinesstimes.com.au, headline4hk.com, scmp.com, dailymirror.co.za – October 27, 2025; discuss.com.hk – October 28, 2025; viw.com.au – October 29, 2025)
The 15th Hong Kong International Nursing Forum (HKINF) cum International Forum on Proactive Health and Ageing and HKU School of Nursing 30th Anniversary
On the occasion of the School’s 30th Anniversary, the School co-hosted hosted the 15th Hong Kong International Nursing Forum cum International Forum on Proactive Health and Ageing with Xiangya School of Nursing at Central South University and the Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group. Senior officials, global nursing and healthcare professionals attended the opening ceremony of the forum held at HKU on October 31, 2025.
Professor Chung-mau Lo, Secretary for Health of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, delivered an officiating address, followed by the welcoming address by Professor Peng Gong, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) of HKU.
Alongside other officiating guests, HKU’s Dean of Medicine, Professor Chak-sing Lau, presented the vote of thanks to the forum participants. Professor Lau highlighted the importance of the forum theme of cross-disciplinary innovation in proactive health, ageing, and nursing leadership for lifelong well-being. He stated that with increasing global life expectancy, healthcare systems must adapt to demographic changes, focusing not just on extending life but enhancing quality and vitality. He underscored the vital role of nursing in elderly care and stressed the importance of nursing leadership in addressing ageing challenges. Professor Lau also mentioned that the HKU School of Nursing had just launched a four-year self-funded academic programme, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programme, with clinical internships at leading hospitals in China, such as The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, to support nursing professional development. He reaffirmed HKUMed's commitment to proactive health strategies and multidisciplinary collaborations.
Various renowned speakers on the two-day forum were featured in the media. At the closing ceremony, the School’s Director, Professor Chia-Chin Lin, said, “The forum marks the grand finale of the HKU School of Nursing’s 30th Anniversary celebrations. Nursing professionals play a crucial role in healthcare. Facing increasing challenges from an ageing population, we need to explore innovative solutions and strengthen nursing leadership to transform healthcare systems for a better global health future.” Professor Lin added, “I hope this forum will foster international academic exchange and cooperation, and promote health innovations in ageing, health and nursing to build a healthier and more sustainable future.”
(China Daily, Wenweipo Web – October 31, 2025; Xinhua HK Facebook 新華香港, tkww.hk, Wen Wei Po, Chinanews.com.cn, Sina Finance – November 1, 2025; Ta Kung Pao Web, tkww.hk, Ta Kung Pao – November 2, 2025)