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                                    Diabetes Prevention Translating Research into Practice and PolicyOur research team actively addresses the double public health challenges of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In 2018, the School initiated the first structured community-based diabetes prevention programme in Hong Kong, delivered via group-based face-to-face sessions, targeting overweight adults with pre-diabetes through a randomised controlled trial. The results aligned with international trials, demonstrating the effectiveness of group-based in-person lifestyle interventions focusing on weight loss through healthy eating and increased physical activity in reducing the risk of diabetes and its complications, with sustained effects when followed up four years later. The COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of digital health for the prevention and management of diabetes. In 2020, our research team developed a smartphone-based digital diabetes prevention programme that effectively motivated obese individuals with pre-diabetes to increase physical activity and achieve weight loss. The observed weight reduction and lifestyle modifications significantly improved insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control, lowering the risks of diabetes and its complications among the participants. Building on the evidence generated from these studies, in 2021, the School received support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to empower healthcare teams at NGOs to deliver evidence-based diabetes prevention programmes, thereby expanding the reach and impact of our research efforts. Also in Hong Kong, the government launched a 3-year Chronic Diseases Co-care Pilot Scheme in 2023, focusing on diabetes and hypertension screening, prevention and early treatment. The School%u2019s research findings provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of various delivery models in reaching diverse populations and achieving sustainable outcomes in diabetes prevention. By translating research findings into real-world applications through collaborative partnerships and knowledge exchange, we strive to make a meaningful contribution to the global effort to combat the rising burden of obesity and diabetes. 42
                                
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