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Press Releases

2023
19 Oct, 2023
HKUMed reveals major shifts in the ecology and evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses
20 Jul, 2023
HKUMed finds metformin could promote healthy ageing based on genetics
07 Feb, 2023
HKUMed study reveals three or four doses of the Comirnaty or CoronaVac vaccines remain effective in preventing Omicron infection

2022
14 Dec, 2022
A joint HKU-CUHK study confirms smoking and obesity increase risk of severe COVID-19 by 65-81%
25 Nov, 2022
HKUMed researchers found a reduction in hospitalisations and a concurrent increase in deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in Hong Kong: implications for healthcare planning during public health emergencies
16 May, 2022
HKUMed-CU Medicine joint study shows that vaccinated individuals develop more robust and broadly reactive antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants than the unvaccinated after an Omicron infection
25 Apr, 2022
HKUMed finds strengthened road safety measures associated with fewer traffic injuries and drink-driving despite alcohol tax cuts
22 Mar, 2022
HKUMed proposes forward planning after Hong Kong’s fifth wave of Omicron BA.2
11 Mar, 2022
HKUMed finds pet Syrian hamsters can naturally acquire SARS-CoV-2 and cause human infection
11 Mar, 2022
HKUMed finds SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is more stable than the ancestral strain on various surfaces
02 Mar, 2022
A joint HKU-CUHK study finds that smoking increases the risk of COVID-19
18 Feb, 2022
CUHK-HKU collaborative research finds a new inflammatory activation pathway in blood vessels after SARS-CoV-2 infection
10 Feb, 2022
HKUMed updates on modelling the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong

2021
23 Dec, 2021
HKUMed-CU Medicine joint study finds that third dose of Comirnaty has better protection from COVID-19 variant Omicron
15 Dec, 2021
HKUMed finds Omicron SARS-CoV-2 can infect faster and better than Delta in human bronchus but with less severe infection in lung
12 Dec, 2021
HKUMed-CU Medicine joint study finds COVID-19 variant Omicron significantly reduces virus neutralisation ability of BioNTech vaccine
08 Dec, 2021
[Updated] HKUMed reveals the electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
06 Dec, 2021
HKUMed students put public health in action and launch healthcare solutions for local community
02 Dec, 2021

Joint CUHK-HKU study discovered efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines correlates with a probiotic bacterium, Bifidobacterium adolescentis
01 Nov, 2021
HKUMed uses ancestral sequence reconstruction1 to reveal the evolutionary adaptations that enable avian influenza viruses to transmit in mammalian hosts
06 Sep, 2021
Tobacco control shown to be the key driver for Hong Kong’s world-leading longevity
24 Aug, 2021
HKUMed uses genetic data to establish causal link of higher lung function in reducing risk of coronary artery disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes
30 Jul, 2021
HKUMed researchers reveal benefits of Tai Chi in reducing central obesity
28 May, 2021
HKUMed discovers a causal link among food allergies, gut microbiota development in infancy, birth methods and mother’s ethnicity
21 May, 2021

HKUMed demonstrates the mechanisms of vascular damage in SARS-CoV-2 infection, and shows how Imatinib may be a potential treatment for COVID-19 induced lung injury and vascular diseases 
10 May, 2021

A Global Study Led by CU Medicine and HKUMed Discovers a Hepatitis C Virus Drug as Potent Treatment for COVID-19
28 Jan, 2021

HKUMed updates on real-time population data on vaccine confidence

2020
21 Oct, 2020
HKU-Pasteur Research Pole turns 20: A celebration of two decades of outstanding partnership between HKUMed and the Institut Pasteur
21 Sep, 2020

HKUMed researchers found local superspreading featured predominantly in overall SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the first and second wave in Hong Kong: implications for continuing social restriction

03 Sep, 2020
HKUMed WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control updates on the Universal Community Testing Programme (UCTP) and vaccine procurement
18 Aug, 2020
Press release: HKUMed researchers discovered that ORF8 and ORF3b are major targets of SARS-CoV-2 humoral immune response and can be used for more specific testing of COVID-19 infection
22 Jul, 2020
HKUMed research suggested that the serial interval of SARS-CoV-2 can be shortened substantially over time by non-pharmaceutical interventions
02 Jun, 2020
HKUMed WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control Releases Superspreading and Latest Epidemiologic Update of COVID-19
14 May, 2020
HKUMed researchers studied the modes of transmission of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and discovered a mechanism that may explain the temporary loss of sense of smell by using a golden hamster animal model
08 May, 2020
HKUMed researchers discovered novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) can infect more efficiently than SARS-CoV in human airways and eyes, implicating that eyes may be an important route of SARS-CoV-2 human infection
18 Apr, 2020
HKUMed research examines how Hong Kong managed first wave of COVID-19 without resorting to complete lockdown
03 Apr, 2020
HKUMed research suggested surgical masks could prevent transmission of seasonal coronaviruses from symptomatic people
20 Mar, 2020
HKUMed WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control releases real-time situation report by the instantaneous effective reproductive number (Rt) of COVID-19
11 Mar, 2020
Press Release: Public health laboratories in more than 40 countries and territories received HKUMed tests for COVID-19 detection
06 Mar, 2020
HKUMed WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control releases case fatality risk of COVID-19
27 Jan, 2020
HKUMed WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control releases real-time nowcast on the likely extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, and forecasts domestic and international spread – UPDATE
21 Jan, 2020
HKUMed WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control releases real-time nowcast on the likely extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, domestic and international spread with the forecast for chunyun

2019
16 Dec, 2019
HKU confirms that some flu vaccines cause a stronger immune response in older adults
12 Jul, 2019
HKUMed reports real-time population data on depression and suicidal ideation: a ten-year prospective cohort
24 Jun, 2019
HKU Trailblazer Project finds country parks linked to an active and healthy lifestyle
14 Jun, 2019
HKUMed and Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Collaborate to Nurture Public Health Talents and Strengthen Scientific Research Collaboration
09 Apr, 2019
HKUMed shows breastfeeding is linked with a more favourable lipid profile in adolescence
07 Mar, 2019
HKU announces its findings on the role of testosterone in serious heart conditions using Mendelian randomisation
25 Jan, 2019
HKU researchers report high influenza vaccine effectiveness in Hong Kong, 2018-19 winter

2018
01 Dec, 2018
HKU School of Public Health and the US National Academy of Medicine Launch the NAM-HKU Fellowship in Global Health Leadership
31 Oct, 2018
HKU School of Public Health and Hong Kong Cancer Fund Host the 20th International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) World Congress
16 Oct, 2018
Professor Gabriel Leung of HKU LKS Faculty of Medicine Elected Member of US National Academy of Medicine
12 Oct, 2018
HKU School of Public Health announced its findings on the effectiveness of school closures in mitigating influenza B epidemic in Hong Kong, 2018
13 Jul, 2018
HKU-Pasteur Research Pole advances the understanding of viral infection mechanism on dengue fever and related flavivirus diseases
28 Jun, 2018
HKU Professor Malik Peiris Named One of 10 "Science Stars of East Asia" by Nature
21 Jun, 2018
HKU to Collaborate on Biomedical Innovation with Institut Pasteur and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
05 Jun, 2018
HKU School of Public Health and Department of Pathology use new therapeutic strategy to improve the treatment of MERS
06 Mar, 2018
HKU School of Public Health leads the first comprehensive study of MERS coronaviruses in Africa
22 Feb, 2018
HKU School of Public Health and Department of Mechanical Engineering provided the direct experimental evidence of influenza transmission by both droplets and airborne routes
09 Feb, 2018
HKU researchers report high influenza vaccine effectiveness in Hong Kong, 2017-18 winter

2017
21 Dec, 2017
HKU School of Public Health hosts Roundtable Discussion on "Healthy Cities in a Healthy World: Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Decade"
24 Nov, 2017
HKU School of Public Health hosts University Grants Committee Conference on "Springboard to Success - Balancing University and Elite Sports"
22 Nov, 2017
Three Faculty Members of our School Named amongst the World's Most Highly Cited Researchers the Third Year in a Row
16 Nov, 2017
HKU School of Public Health Reveals that Primary Care Attendances could Potentially Reduce Diabetes-related Avoidable Hospital Admissions
16 Oct, 2017
HKU School of Public Health Launches New Version of Hedley Environmental Index Better Inform and Assist the Public to Interpret Air Pollution Levels
27 Jun, 2017
HKU School of Public Health hosts the sixth Hong Kong Public Health Forum on "Crossroads: What Is the Future of Public Health?" and pays tribute to Professor Richard Fielding and Dr Janice Johnston
19 Jun, 2017
HKU School of Public Health Hosts an International Conference on "Transmission of Respiratory Viruses: from Basic Science to Evidence Based Options for Control"
04 May, 2017
Professor Malik Peiris of HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine Elected Foreign Associate of National Academy of Sciences
06 Jan, 2017
Asia Premiere of Film and Book Sharing on Clean Hands Save Lives by School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of HKU

2016
08 Dec, 2016
Professor Leo Poon receives Croucher Senior Research Fellowship from Croucher Foundation
02 Dec, 2016
Seminar on "Health Care Reform in China"
13 Nov, 2016
HKU Reveals that Dose-sparing of Yellow Fever Vaccine is likely to be an Effective Strategy to Extend its Supply in a New Modelling Study
15 Jun, 2016
Public lecture by Professor Zhong Nan-Shan on "From SARS to MERS and Zika: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward in Combating Emerging Infectious Diseases"
14 Jun, 2016
HKU School of Public Health hosts a Symposium on "Transmission and Control of Respiratory Pathogens"
10 Jun, 2016
The University of Hong Kong co-hosts a Seminar on Global Health Security: Climate and Environmental Threats
20 May, 2016
HKU takes a Leading Role in Global Commissions on Countering Infectious Disease Threats; Policy Recommendations will be considered in the World Health Assembly
04 May, 2016
HKU Reveals that Exposure to Particulate Air Pollutants is Associated with Cancer Mortality in a 13-year Local Study of Hong Kong Elderly
26 Apr, 2016
Collaboration among business, academic, social welfare and health sectors: Announcement of "Family Day 2016" cum Survey of "Mother's Day and Family Day Celebration in Hong Kong" Press Conference
05 Apr, 2016
Study on Environment and Physical Activity published by HKU scholar in The Lancet
16 Mar, 2016
HKU Reveals Novel Mechanisms by which H5N1 Influenza Virus Causes Acute Lung Injury in Humans and Discovers Novel Therapeutic Strategies
13 Mar, 2016
Asia Launch cum Seminar of the Report Recommendations of the Commission on a Global Health Risk Framework for the Future
19 Jan, 2016
FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society Using Information and Communication Technologies and Family Well-Being in Hong Kong Press Conference
05 Jan, 2016
HKU and international research teams quantified influenza virus diversity and transmission in humans

2015
18 Dec, 2015
Latest study of HKU SPH faculty published in Science
18 Dec, 2015
HKU SPH co-organized the first International Diagnostic Training Workshop on MERS-CoV as held in Dubai, December 2015
06 Dec, 2015
Professor JSM Peiris as one of the founding members of the newly established Hong Kong Academy of Sciences
24 Oct, 2015
HKU School of Public Health hosts the Fifth Hong Kong Public Health Forum on "Extracting Meaning from Data: Cohorts and Deep Analytics" and pays tribute to Professor TH Lam
02 Oct, 2015
Three Faculty Members of our School named amongst the world's most highly cited researchers
07 Sep, 2015
WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control hosts lecture by Dame Barbara Stocking on "All you ever wanted to know about Ebola"
16 Aug, 2015
Plaque Unveiling Ceremonies of Two World Health Organization Units at Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU
30 Jul, 2015
Collaboration between HKU and Columbia University: Using Computer Model to Forecast Flu Outbreaks in a Subtropical Climate
14 May, 2015
FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society Kick-off Ceremony of "FAMILY Holistic Health" cum Hong Kong Family and Health Information Trends Survey Press Conference
25 Apr, 2015
HKU leads the first health study in Asia which shows that long-term exposure to fine particles PM2.5 is associated with mortality in Hong Kong elderly
21 Apr, 2015
HKU Youth Quitline appreciates peer smoking cessation counsellors in the 10th anniversary celebration ceremony
14 Apr, 2015
Dr Benjamin Cowling receives Croucher Senior Research Fellowship from Croucher Foundation
13 Apr, 2015
HKU study identifies host factors that function as intracellular receptors to assist Dengue Virus egress
12 Mar, 2015
HKU scientists find the H7N9 influenza virus enzootic in poultry Study published in prestigious international scientific journal, Nature
16 Feb, 2015
Latest research findings on H3N2 influenza virus from HKU
08 Jan, 2015
WHO Launches HKU-Verified Hand Hygiene Programme Globally - Hong Kong Breaks "Hand Sanitizing Relay" World Record
08 Jan, 2015
HKU School of Public Health designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control

2014
19 Dec, 2014
In Memory of Professor Anthony J Hedley (1941-2014)
16 Dec, 2014
HKU study reveals smoking kills half of all elderly smokers: Government should strengthen tobacco control policies
03 Sep, 2014
HKU and international research teams provided direct experimental evidence for the role of genetic diversity in influenza virulence in vivo
29 Aug, 2014
HKU and international research teams find that Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from dromedary camels in different regions can infect humans
18 Jul, 2014
HKU announces a "Children of 1997" cohort study showing breastfeeding's impact on Hong Kong's public health -- Baby Friendly Action Joint Declaration signed on site to urge for immediate implementation of the HK Code
13 Jul, 2014
Two Faculty Members of our School named amongst the World's Top Scientists
02 Apr, 2014
HKU develops a universal influenza A vaccine that can elicit protective immune responses against viruses of multiple HA subtypes
28 Feb, 2014
HKU and international research teams find Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus from dromedary camels in Egypt

2013
31 Oct, 2013
Latest research findings on avian influenza A (H7N9) virus from HKU Public Health Research Centre
25 Jul, 2013
HKU's finding on avian influenza A (H7N9) virus well adapted to infect human respiratory tract reveals why numerous human infected cases in a short period of time
24 Jun, 2013
Latest research findings on avian influenza A (H7N9) virus from HKU Public Health Research Centre
07 Jun, 2013
HKU finds aerosol transmission an important mode of influenza virus spread within household
29 May, 2013
A collaborative study between HKU and Fudan University to investigate the reasons for severe disease and death caused by H7N9 reveals that one factor is the emergence of virus resistance to Tamiflu
24 May, 2013
HKU and international research team find human-isolated avian influenza A (H7N9) virus can transmit via close contact and air-borne exposure while it can also infect pigs, Research published in prestigious international scientific journal, Science
07 Jan, 2013
FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society Cohort Study Result Announcement - Social Barometer: Poverty & Disparities on Health, Happiness & Harmony

2012
13 Dec, 2012
FAMILY Project Cohort Study Findings -"3Hs" in Hypertension Control: Act Together to Save Lives Now
03 Dec, 2012
FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society Cohort Study Result Announcement - A Social Barometer for Hong Kong From Family Harmony to Social Cohesion
21 May, 2012
FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society Cohort Study Result Announcement Study on Family Support An Effective Way to Enhance Family Support - "Happy Family Kitchen" Project
27 Jan, 2012
HKU & Civic Exchange launch a new version of the Hedley Environmental Index

2011
21 Dec, 2011
FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society “60% of Hong Kong families receive a passing grade on health – 10-point Healthy Living Index (HELI)”
16 May, 2011
HKU 10-year Follow-up Study: Smoking Largely Increases Mortality in Older People One Out of Three Older Smokers will be Killed by Smoking
28 Apr, 2011
HKU study provides first evidence that rise in tobacco tax curbs adolescent smoking
24 Feb, 2011
HKU Response to the Increase in Tobacco Tax Presented in the Budget
21 Feb, 2011
HKU Study demonstrates that the government's proposed Air Quality Objectives won't protect health
19 Jan, 2011
HKU Study on Impact of Loss of Visibility on Mortality Risks: A Report of Regional and Global Importance

2010
25 Sep, 2010
FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society Press Conference HKU Study on Family Communication Patterns in Hong Kong More Praise More Happiness
16 Aug, 2010
HKU Study Shows that Quitting Smoking Can Improve Erectile Dysfunction

2009
19 Oct, 2009
HKU Study Reveals Adverse Psychological Effects of Incorrect Weight Comments on Adolescents
28 Sep, 2009
Video Competition for Tobacco Control
04 Aug, 2009
Face Masks and Hand Hygiene Reduce Influenza Transmission in Households
17 Mar, 2009
Higher Tobacco Duties Protect Children, Reduce Health Care Needs and Save Lives

2008
09 Dec, 2008
HKU Study Shows High Health Risks for Catering Workers in Venues Exempted from the Smoking Ban
09 May, 2008
Is Exercise Protective Against Influenza-Associated Mortality?
09 Jan, 2008
HKU Studies Reveal that Smoking Kills in Old Age and Quitting Saves Lives

2007
24 Sep, 2007
Cost Effectiveness of Mammography Screening: Today and the Future
23 Feb, 2007
Joint Study by HKU and Harvard University Identifies the Most Cost-effective Population-based Cancer Screening Package for Chinese Women
18 Jan, 2007
Studies Reveal Relations of Soy Consumption and Dietary Pattern with Mortality

2006
21 Aug, 2006
Overweight, Obesity and Mortality - a Paradox Explained
08 Aug, 2006
Reducing the Impact of the Next Influenza Pandemic Using Household-Based Public Health Interventions
27 Jun, 2006
The First Randomized Controlled Trial on Smoking Cessation and Adherence Intervention on Patients with Erectile Dysfunction in Hong Kong
08 Jun, 2006
Air Pollution: costs and paths to a solution
08 May, 2006
Mothers use evasive action to protect sick children from smoking fathers
23 Mar, 2006
Smoking Reduction is the First Step Towards Smoking Cessation HKU Offers Smoking Reduction Programme

2005
26 Oct, 2005
Does Other People's Second Hand Tobacco Smoke Harm the Health of Smokers?
31 May, 2005
Time Costs of Waiting, Doctor-shopping and Private-public Sector Imbalance: Microdata Evidence from Hong Kong
24 Feb, 2005
Smoking Costs Hong Kong Over $5 Billion Every Year

2004
24 Sep, 2004
Smoking and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Elderly in HK
23 Jul, 2004
Leisure Time Physical Activity and Mortality in Hong Kong: Case-control Study of All Adult Deaths in 1998
03 Jun, 2004
Live Animal Markets and Infectious Disease Risk: Hong Kong Community Practices and Opinions
11 May, 2004
Smokers have 50% Higher Risk of Having Sexual Dysfunction Smoking and Sexual Dysfunction in Male: Research Findings and New Research

2003
04 Dec, 2003
Dioxin Levels In Humans In Hong Kong
23 Jul, 2003
Leisure Time Physical Activity and Mortality in Hong Kong: Case-control Study of All Adult Deaths in 1998
20 Jun, 2003
After SARS: A Public Health Analysis Of The Epidemic And Implications For The Future
29 Apr, 2003
Changes in Public Perceptions and Preventive Measures of HK Citizens Concerning Atypical (Coronavirus) Pneumonia from Early to Mid April
04 Apr, 2003
Public Perception and Preventive Measures of Hong Kong Citizens Concerning Atypical (Coronavirus) Pneumonia
16 Jan, 2003
Breast Cancer Trends in Hong Kong: What are the Implications for Screening, Diagnosis and Management in All Chinese Women?

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