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Book launch of The Health Gap held successfully Health Inequality to be addressed with a holistic approach
Co-organised by The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press (CUHK Press) and CUHK Institute of Health Equity (IHE), the book launch of The Health Gap (Chinese Edition) has been successfully held. Prof. Sir Michael Marmot, author of The Health Gap, described his insight into “Health Inequality”. Prof. Eng-kiong Yeoh, Co-Director of IHE, presented the latest findings on health inequality in Hong Kong. The ceremony was officiated at by Prof. Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK.
In his welcome address, Prof. Rocky S. Tuan said, “Prof. Marmot has been the pioneer of the field of health equity over the past decades. He invites the general public to examine the social factors that may lead to health inequality. By translating Prof. Marmot’s work, CUHK Press continues its mission in disseminating knowledge around the world to Chinese readers in the academic field and beyond.”
Ms. Gan Qi, Director of CUHK Press, said, “The Chinese edition of The Health Gap is one of the major publications for CUHK Press in 2021. Prof. Marmot’s work presents a new angle on understanding public health by introducing the concept of the social gradient. CUHK Press will continue to engage the academia and the general public with our publications.”
Prof. Sir Michael Marmot explained with compelling examples from around the world that health equality can be examined through the lens of social determinants. In each phase of an individual’s life, different social determinants will impact our health. He urged stakeholders in the community to come together and build a fairer and sustainable society.
As for the case in Hong Kong, Prof. Eng-kiong Yeoh stated in his presentation that housing, work condition, socioeconomic position, social inclusion, healthcare and aging are all factors contributing to health equity. Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy worldwide; however, there are also marked health inequalities. The COVID-19 outbreak has exposed and exacerbated the pre-existing social inequalities in Hong Kong and we should adopt holistic strategies to tackle the problem.
About the Speakers
Prof. Sir Michael G. Marmot, Author of The Health Gap
Professor of Epidemiology at University College London, Director of UCL Institute of Health Equity, Co-Director of CUHK Institute of Health Equity, and Past President of the World Medical Association. Marmot chaired the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health in 2005. At the request of the British Government, he conducted the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England, which published its report Fair Society, Healthy Lives in 2010.
Prof. Eng-kiong Yeoh
Professor of Public Health at CUHK, Director of CUHK Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research, and Co-Director of CUHK Institute of Health Equity.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press
As the scholarly publishing division of CUHK, CUHK Press is a world-class English-Chinese bilingual publisher. Originating from the University Publishing Center founded in 1968, CUHK Press was officially established in 1977, with Dr. Francis K. Pan as the first director. Over the next four decades, CUHK Press emerged as a distinguished academic publisher with rapidly growing lists of publications in the areas of history, philosophy, literature, translation, contemporary art, political science, sociology, anthropology, education, and medical history. It publishes about 60 new books per year and carries over 2,300 titles on its backlist. A long list of notable authors has worked with CUHK Press, including Lucien Bianco, Derk Bodde, Gao Xingjian, Patrick Hanan, Hsu Cho-yun, Jao Tsung-I, D. C. Lau, Stuart R. Schram, and Ezra Vogel.
Ms. Gan Qi assumed directorship of CUHK Press in 2007. Under her leadership, CUHK Press rapidly earned a reputation as a publishing powerhouse in China studies. It successfully expanded and diversified its publishing programmes by concentrating on building an excellent bilingual editorial team. Starting from 2018, CUHK Press’s academic journal The China Review has increased its publication frequency from two to four issues per year. This journal is now a well-recognized SSCI journal in China studies.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Institute of Health Equity
CUHK Institute of Health Equity was established in 2020 with the vision of being a leading institution in promoting health equity studies in the Asian region. It aims to promote research in health equity in Hong Kong and Asia, investigate if disparities exist in different communities and analyse them and the contributing societal factors. In collaboration with the University College London (UCL) Institute of Health Equity, CUHK Institute of Health Equity will examine issues of health equity in Hong Kong so as to inform government policies and intervention programmes to improve the health equity of Hong Kong. Prof. Sir Michael MARMOT from UCL, Prof. E. K. YEOH and Prof. Jean WOO from CUHK are Co-Directors of the Institute. Ongoing research projects aim to examine the health inequity situation in COVID-19 in Hong Kong, and factors contributing to the long life expectancy and health disparities in Hong Kong.
(From left) Mr. Laurie Pearcey, Associate Vice-President, CUHK, Prof. Eng-kiong Yeoh, Co-Director, Institute of Health Equity, CUHK, Prof. Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President, CUHK, Mr. Eric Ng, Vice-President, CUHK, Prof. Roger Chung, Associate Director, Institute of Health Equity, CUHK, and Ms. Gan Qi Director, CUHK Press / (On Screen) Prof. Michael Marmot, Co-Director, Institute of Health Equity, CUHK
Prof. Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President, CUHK delivers a welcome remarks.
Ms. Gan Qi, Director of CUHK Press, says, “Prof. Marmot’s work presents a new angle in understanding public health by introducing the concept of social gradient.”
Book cover of The Health Gap
