Grass-roots families trapped in health inequity

Publish Date: 25-Sep-2017

Between 25 February and 29 March, HKSKH Lady MacLehose Centre and Health in Action (HIA) conducted health checks for the urban poor to assess their risks of developing cardiovascular diseases. Seventy-five adults from grass-roots working families residing in inadequate housing (such as sub-divided flats, caged homes, bedspaces, or rooftop structures) participated in the check-ups. The health check was part of HIA’s Healthy Living Project for Working Poor Families in Kwai Tsing District.

On 16 September, Lady MacLehose Centre and HIA reported that the participants suffered from high risks of contracting cardiovascular diseases. Since the supply of public health care is insufficient and private health services are expensive, the urban poor are trapped in health inequity in general.