The School of Public Health (SPH) hosted the Public Health Forum 2024 entitled “Past, Present, and Future of Public Health” on January 27, 2024, as the highlight of SPH’s 20^th anniversary celebrations. The Forum aimed to review important lessons learned from previous public health challenges, such as infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and primary healthcare, and explore how these lessons can guide solutions to current and future public health concerns.

Six distinguished scholars were invited to share their insights and inspirations on these emerging and prevailing health issues. The Forum brought together more than 150 participants from various institutions, government agencies, and professional colleges. The event also featured a student poster session, where 44 posters were displayed, showcasing the research and findings of our next-generation public health professionals.

The Forum provided an opportunity for scholars and participants to engage in productive knowledge exchange on addressing complex health issues with innovative solutions.

An Award Presentation was conducted during the Closing Ceremony with details as follows:

Mascot Nicknaming Competition
Chinese Nickname
Winning Entry: 為為
Winner: Ms Deon Chan, former SPH colleague

English Nickname
Winning Entry: Vitalis
Winner: Ms Chow Yim Sau, MPH student

Best Student Poster Award
Winner: Ms Dorothy Bingging Guo
Poster Title: Understanding China's Shifting Priorities and Priority-setting Processes in Development Assistance for Health

To watch the Public Health Forum 2024, please click here

Professor CS Lau, Dean of Medicine, HKU, delivers welcome remarks

Professor David Bishai, Director of SPH shares the history and milestones of the School

The Forum brings together more than 150 participants from various institutions, government agencies, and professional colleges

Keynote Speech “Getting ahead of the Curve: Exploring the Development of Risk-based Early Warning Surveillance for Emerging Diseases” delivered by Professor Marion Koopmans, Head of Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Centre, via Zoom

Professor Malik Peiris, Tam Wah-Ching Professor in Medical Science and Chair Professor of Virology, SPH, HKU moderates the Q&A session of the Keynote Speech session

Dr Judith Mackay, Director, Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control; Senior Policy Advisor, World Health Organization; Honorary Consultant, Department of Health, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Honorary Professor, SPH, HKU shares Lecture 1: Non-communicable Diseases on “The Role of the University of Hong Kong in Overcoming Obstacles to Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) Control”

Professor Daniel Ho, Associate Professor, SPH, HKU moderates the Q&A session of Lecture 1: Non-communicable Diseases

Professor Leo Poon, Chair Professor of Public Health Virology and Head of Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, SPH, HKU speaks on Lecture 2: Infectious Diseases on “Hong Kong Public Health and Infectious Diseases”

Professor Hui-ling Yen, Associate Professor, SPH, HKU moderates the Q&A session of Lecture 2: Infectious Diseases

Professor Sophia Chan, Professor in Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, HKU; Senior Advisor, President’s Office, HKU; HKU Primary Health Care Academy Director talks about “The Primary Healthcare Blueprint and Origins” at the Plenary Session: Primary Healthcare

Dr Fei-chau Pang, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Primary Healthcare Office, Health Bureau, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; President, Hong Kong College of Community Medicine shares “Current Issues in Primary Healthcare in Hong Kong: From Blueprint to Implementation” at the Plenary Session: Primary Healthcare

Dr Luis Gabriel Bernal-Pulido, Professor, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Rosario University, Bogotá, Colombia, elucidates “Global Opportunities in Primary Healthcare” at the Plenary Session: Primary Healthcare

Professor David Bishai moderates the Plenary Session

The winners of the Mascot Nicknaming Competition: Ms Deon Chan (left) and Ms Chow Yim Sau (right)

Best Student Poster Awardee Ms Dorothy Guo

SPH alumni

GHD students