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As Hong Kong’s population ages, an increasing prevalence of chronic disease
can also be observed (Figure 1.7). In 2019, 78.1% of people aged 65 or above had
chronic health conditions, a dramatic increase from 47.9% in 2000 (Figure 1.8) (C&SD, 2000,
2019). From 2000 to 2019, hypertension remained the most prevalent chronic health
condition in the age group of 65 years and above, with more than half of the older population
(52%) diagnosed with high blood pressure. There is additionally a profound increase in the
prevalence of high cholesterol (from 4.3% in 2000 to 26.1% in 2019) (≥5.2mmol/L), while
diabetes mellitus remains among the top three chronic illnesses affecting 23% of the
older population (Figure 1.8) (C&SD, 2000, 2019).

Figure 1.7
Population (’000) with chronic health conditions by age group, 2000–2019

2,500

965.1
2,000 745.6
835.2
662.6
612.3
577.4
1,500
584.6
499.6 397.4 426.2 489.6 544.9
495.9
1,000 332.3
368.1
340.9 366.5
345.8
207.2 221 363.2
329.3 282.9
301.9
500 152.4 158.7 218 203.9 201.3
178.5 168.2
146.9 158.4 169.2 158.1 170.1 121.76 127.7 146.3
116 120.2 76.6 91.7 108.6 113.8 92.3 100.7
67
38.5 40.9 53.8 50.6 71.9 106.3 97.7 95.2 70.3 87.1
28.5
28.9
0 38.6 49.4 60.6 58.5 61 84.5 76.6 65.3 59.8 75.2
2000 2002 2003 2007 2009 2010 2013 2015 2017 2019
<15 15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 ≥65
Source: C&SD, 2019

Figure 1.8

Older population (aged 65 and over) (%) with chronic health conditions
by diseases, 2000 and 2019

Overall 47.9 78.1
Hypertension 51.5
43.4
26.1
High Cholesterol 4.3
23.4
Diabetes Mellitus 22.5
Heart Disease 9.1 16.2
Cancer 3.5
3.8
Asthma 1.7 3.3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

2019 2000

Sources: C&SD, 2000, 2019
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