Health & Environment
Hongkongers' northbound dental journey to better smiles
- 2025-02-23
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: ZHONG Xinyun、CHEN XiyunEdited by: YANG Haicen
- 2025-02-23
A typical weekend for Wan Jiachen begins with a 40-minute subway ride through the bustling Futian Port, heading to the Shenzhen Second People's Hospital to get a check-up on his latest dental fillings. “Dental service in Shenzhen is my first choice,” said Wan. He is a bank worker with a Shanghai household registration (hukou) and a Hong Kong identity card. He now lives in Hong Kong because of his new job. The long journey crossing the border can be exhausting, but Wan said it is worth it. “In Hong Kong, it has become more difficult to secure an appointment with a public dental clinic, and the price is unaffordable for ordinary wage earners,” he said. In Shenzhen, he pays HK$100 to HK$200 for teeth cleaning, but in Hong Kong it’s around HK$800. Wan is not the only Hong Kong resident traveling north to seek dental treatments. According to Shenzhen government figures, in 2023, Shenzhen provided 700,000 cases of medical treatment for Hong Kong residents. Currently, Hong Kong has only 0.37 dentists per 1,000 people, which falls behind many countries worldwide, according to Lo Chung-Mau, the Secretary for Health of Hong Kong. Limited local public and private healthcare resources is a major issue. “The service quality and professionalism vary significantly between clinics,” said Daniel Wong, a 57-year-old local Hong Kong resident. “Hong Kong lacks private clinics. Their small scale is also a problem.” Private clinics also tend to be more expensive. According to the clinic’s price list, Nixon Dental at Mongkok charges HK$6,000 for one-time full mouth root planing. For the clinic’s branch in Central, the same service costs even higher at HK$8,000. According to Hong Kong government statistics, as of December 31, 2023, Hong Kong has 2,876 registered dentists, with around 700 working in the public sector. “The scarcity of …
ADHD Challenges and Support in Hong Kong
- 2025-02-17
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: Wing Chi HO、Chun Lim LEUNGEdited by: Wai Yan MIU
- 2025-02-17
There were 5%-9% of children in Hong Kong suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, according to Castle Peak Hospital. Parents face difficulties in caretaking roles, while organizations like the Hong Kong Association for AD/ HD have offered consultations and workshops to release the pressure on caretakers as well as patients. Reported byWing Chi HO and Chun Lim Leung Edited by Vivian Miu and Jeffrey Chan
Feed Your Brain: What You Eat Affects Your Mind
- 2024-12-14
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: LAI Uen Ling、KURNIAWAN Trista VaniaEdited by: Ji Youn Lee
- 2024-12-14
A healthy diet is essential to a healthy mind. A 2022 study found that the more ultra-processed food you eat, the more likely you are to experience mild depression or feelings of anxiety. We spoke to nutritional experts to understand how simple changes, like eating breakfast regularly and cutting down on processed foods, can boost our mental well-being.
Therapaws build trust and help people overcome negative thoughts
- 2024-12-14
- Society
- By: Cheuk Chi Maggie YEUNG、MAO AnqiEdited by: Wai Sum CHEUNG
- 2024-12-14
Surrounded by a lively group of primary school children eager to pet her, So So, a six-and-a-half-year-old Shih Tzu, radiates warmth and comfort. Known for her calm and empathetic nature, she has become a source of comfort for individuals experiencing emotional distress. So So is a qualified therapy dog and doctor pet. Her owner, Arale Leung, said her dog always enjoys helping people in need. “So So is not timid but accommodating,” she said. Recalling the moments when some kids reacted intensely during therapy sessions, Leung said So So was confident in handling the situation. “Her eyes were very determined like she seemed to say, ‘Don’t be afraid, I’ll help you’,” said Leung. Research by a group of animal science and biotechnology experts, published in the 2015 issue of the journal Science, found that interacting with animals can boost the release of oxytocin in the human body—a hormone associated with feelings of love, healing and social motivation. So So has been working as a therapaw at the Hong Kong Animal Assisted Therapy Association (HKAATA) for four years. Debbie Ngai Hui-fai founded the organization in 2013. She said during treatment, a handler, who usually owns the service dog, or ‘therapaw’, first guides the animal to help patients tear down their walls so that they are open to treatment. A therapist will observe the interaction between the patient and the animal, then find a suitable treatment plan to guide and intervene in the patient’s emotions. Government figures show that Hong Kong people’s depression index reached a new high in 2024, and the number of psychiatric patients has doubled over the past decade. In 2023-2024, there were 305,700 people with mental illness, leading to increased demand for outpatient services provided by specialist outpatient clinics, according to a government report. “We can see a …
ChatGPT as psychological counsellor: lifeline or limitation?
- 2024-12-11
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: YANG Haicen、WANG JingEdited by: Juncong SHUAI
- 2024-12-11
Anne Li, ( not her real name) ended her long Friday of classes in solitude, buying dinner from the vending machine outside her dorm and confiding in ChatGPT. “In high school, we had fixed classes and a group of friends who were always there for you. But now, every class and every person is different—it felt like no one stayed around for long,” Li said. The 18-year-old recently moved from Xi’an to study in Hong Kong. The transition turned her from an outgoing personality into a quiet and reserved individual. “Sometimes I thought I might be depressed, but I was too scared to go to the clinic. What if I am really sick?” Li discovered posts on Xiaohongshu where others had shared their experiences using ChatGPT to talk about emotional struggles. Out of curiosity and a need for support, she began using the AI chatbot for emotional guidance in October last year. “It felt like a friend who would never betray or judge you,” Li said. “In many lonely moments, it truly gave me a sense of comfort and belonging.” Li is among a growing number of users who have turned to ChatGPT for emotional or psychological support. According to Xiaohongshu, searches for "using GPT for therapy" resulted in 4.3 million posts, while "GPT and psychotherapy" had over 330 posts. Initially created for tasks such as answering questions and providing recommendations, generative AI has evolved to handle more complex and personalised uses, including mental health support. OpenAI’s GPT-4.0, the latest version of the model, has become capable of engaging in fluent discussions and identifying users’ emotions through text. Character.ai, a platform where people can create chatbots based on fictional or real people, for example, introduced a chatbot called “Psychologist”, which is described as mental health specialists helping people improve their …
Reshaping the way consumers see food products
- 2024-12-06
- Society
- By: CHAN Wing Yiu、MA Tsz Chiu OscarEdited by: KONG Tsz Yuen
- 2024-12-06
About 3,300 tonnes of food waste were disposed of at landfills everyday, according to Environmental Protection Department figures in 2022. That’s about 30 percent of municipal solid waste. But a Friends of the Earth study found that at least 29 tonnes of food waste were still consumable, most of them were expired products thrown out by supermarkets. Several non-government organizations and social enterprises have been trying to cut down on the amount of food that ends up in landfills. GreenPrice, for example, focuses on reselling food that would soon expire but still safe to eat. They sell them at half price or less. Hon Chun-him, 27, one of the founders of GreenPrice, aims to eliminate waste and popularise a sustainable lifestyle. He was inspired by a visit to Food Angel, a food rescue NGO, where he received some discarded short-dated food donations. Hon and his partner founded GreenPrice in 2016 after they won some funding from a university social innovation competition. Today, GreenPrice has 12 branches around Hong Kong. Some are located in high-end places like Central or Tsuen Wan OP Mall, giving their brand a luxurious and trendy reputation. “We questioned the safety of the food at first, but then we learned more about the concept of “best-before” and realised the products are still safe to consume,” said Hon. Hon and his partners then developed the idea of redistributing short-dated and expired products. The Centre for Food Safety stated that the “best-before” date is about food quality. The food is expected to maintain its best taste and texture until this date, with proper storage. But the food is still safe to eat after this date, even though its quality could be compromised. “Used-by” dates relate to food safety, that is the last date on which it’s safe for …
College Students Seek Sleep Solutions Beyond Medication
- 2024-12-04
- Society
- The Young Reporter
- By: WANG Ludan、LIU YutongEdited by: Yuqi CHU
- 2024-12-04
At midnight, Guo Tongshun, 19, a second-year student from Hong Kong Baptist University, found himself exhausted but unable to sleep. After an hour of tossing and turning, his anxiety about getting up early made him more restless. In desperation, he gave up on sleeping and picked up his phone to watch videos. But the light of the phone and the fast-swiping videos made him more and more excited. At 3 am, he felt anxious but was no longer sleepy. He then took a melatonin tablet to try to sleep again. “It works well, but I am afraid to take more,” Guo said. “I hate the feeling of being weak and fuzzy after taking it, and I am worried that it would cause hormonal disruption.” Many university students in Hong Kong are overwhelmed by the problem of sleep disorders and sleep anxiety, caused by excessive screen time, heavy academic pressure and mental stress. Some of them take medication to combat sleep disorders, but they are also trying to explore other solutions. Sleep disorders can have multiple psychological and physical effects. People who suffer from it often do not have good sleep quality and sufficient sleep time, which may lead to function impairment and fatigue during the day, thus increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart attack, according to the National Library of Medicine in the US. According to a "White Paper on the Sleep Health of Chinese Residents 2024" published by the Chinese Association for Sleep Research, more and more young people in China suffer from sleep disorders. According to the Paper, people aged between 14 and 34 are troubled by sleep difficulties, falling asleep after midnight on average, more than an hour later than those aged above 34. In Hong Kong, nearly 70% of local …
The Mental Health Struggles of Young Athletes in Hong Kong: Insights from the Field
- 2024-11-27
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: Ben Rong LiEdited by: Ka Man Wong
- 2024-11-27
The mental health crisis among young athletes in Hong Kong has become a pressing concern, with many facing significant psychological pressures as they strive for success in sports while managing academic commitments. A recent survey by the Hong Kong Sports Institute reveals that approximately 40% of young athletes aged 18-25 experience symptoms of anxiety, while 35% show signs of depression. These statistics highlight the urgent need to address mental health issues within the sports community. Young athletes are navigating a complex landscape where the demands of competitive sports often clash with their educational pursuits. Or Siu-yuen, a 20-year-old football player in the Wing Yee Football Team in the Hong Kong First Division League, shared his personal experiences with these pressures. “After graduating from secondary school, the pressure increased significantly because my academic performance was not ideal. This led me to enrol in a higher diploma program related to fitness and exercise nutrition. The challenge of balancing my studies and my football career leaves me feeling increasingly lost about my future,” he said. Or elaborated on the difficulty of pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer while managing his education. “The conditions for advancing to the Hong Kong Super League are tough, and to pursue my dream of becoming a professional footballer, I might have to sacrifice my studies. But currently, I feel stuck at a crossroads, unable to fully commit to either path,” he said. Or also expressed the familial pressures he faces, “My family expects me to finish my studies and start working soon, but my progress in football hasn’t reached a level where I can support myself. This creates immense pressure every time I engage with football, making me feel that if I don’t succeed, I might have to give up …
Icelandic volcano erupts for the seventh time in a year
- 2024-11-25
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: AO Wei Ying VinciEdited by: Ka Man Wong
- 2024-11-25
REYKJAVÍK, Iceland, November 23 (The Young Reporter) – A volcano in the Reykjanes Peninsula near Grindavik in Iceland erupted on Wednesday night for the seventh time in a year with limited impact on safety and infrastructure. It started its first eruption at 11:14 pm, and eruptions are steady and still ongoing. Located in southwest Iceland, the volcano lies on the same peninsula as the Reykjavík’s Keflavík Airport. “The airport is fully operational. Flights have not been impacted by recent eruptions and are on schedule,” the country’s international airport said. The lava is flowing primarily westward and gas emissions are going southward over Grindavik, according to Iceland’s meteorological office. Lasha Shinjikashvili, a resident of Hafnarfjörður, a city south of Iceland’s capital, said he witnessed a road closure 8 kilometres from the volcano. “I wanted to get closer but the police closed all the roads in the direction of the volcano,” he said. “There were lots of people with smartphones,” he added. He said he was in his car to take photos of the eruption around Thursday midnight, while the majority of Grindavik’s residents had already evacuated. Grindavik, with a population of 3,800, is southwest of the erupting site. The Icelandic Meteorological Office said most of Grindavik’s residents were evacuated. Lava has engulfed the car park of the internationally well-known geothermal spa Blue Lagoon. The spa has evacuated all people from its operational units, including surrounding hotels and retreats. Blue Lagoon said they will remain closed until next Thursday, Nov 28 and there is currently no damage to their main infrastructure. According to an officer at the visitor centre, there are helicopter tours available to take tourists to see the lava and the eruption. He said for safety, the helicopter stays at a certain distance. “Even if you walk on the street …
Heavy Rainfall Floods Southeast Queensland, More Wet Weather Ahead.
- 2024-11-22
- Health & Environment
- The Young Reporter
- By: KURNIAWAN Trista VaniaEdited by: Ji Youn Lee
- 2024-11-22
Several parts of Queensland are bracing for more flooding after days of extreme rainfall in the area. Brisbane and greater southeast Queensland were drenched after days of severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Though the rain is expected to end on Thursday, more flooding is possible near the Warrego River, which flows through Queensland and New South Wales. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the river saw heavy rainfall of over 150 millimetres in the last 8 hours to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, leaving rising water levels and major flooding in southeast Queensland. More showers are expected on Thursday and Friday, with flooded areas under close monitoring and warnings to be issued. On Wednesday, BOM released a severe weather warning for central Queensland, stating that total rainfall could reach 160 to 180 millimetres in six hours and up to 250 to 300 millimetres over 24 hours. The department warned residents in the area to brace for heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding, floods caused by rain in less than six hours. Last Saturday, the police rescued a woman who was trapped in her car in Rochedale, South Brisbane, after nearly 100 millimetres of rain fell within three hours in the region. In 2022, the state saw a record average rainfall of 778 millimetres which was 25% above the average of over 20 years. As of Tuesday, the BOM recorded heavy downpours for several Brisbane suburbs, including Rosalie with 46mm, Toowong with 45 mm, Green Hill with 43mm and Youngs Crossing with 33mm. Samuel Karjadi, a resident of northern Brisbane, said that he almost experienced a car accident on his way home last Thursday because of the storm. “It was quite dark and the road was slippery as well. I nearly hit someone’s car in an intersection near my house,” …