Author: Gerald Ng

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Gerald Ng is a previous editor for Medical Channel Asia. Writing has always been his first love and he has more than a decade of journalism experience after falling in love with reading the newspapers daily growing up in Singapore. His works and interviews have appeared in various media publications including Yahoo!, Straits Times and Channel NewsAsia.

Hong Kong is experiencing an alarming increase in obesity as a result of its residents’ unhealthy diet, a new health survey has revealed. The Report of Population Health Survey (PHS) 2020-22 Part II, conducted by the Department of Health, revealed that three in 10 Hong Kong residents are obese and more than 80 percent have a high salt intake. The survey, which is the third territory-wide health survey, covered 16,000 non-hospitalised residents over the age of 15 from November 2020 to February 2022.

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Geographic tongue, also known as benign migratory glossitis, is a relatively common yet poorly understood condition that affects the tongue’s surface. The condition is characterized by irregular, smooth, and red patches that can appear anywhere on the tongue. These patches can change in shape and size, and the borders of the patches can become raised and white. The condition is not contagious or harmful, and it typically resolves on its own without any treatment.

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Dipolog City and Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines have reported a significant decrease in adolescent birth rates (ABR) due to effective interventions addressing teenage pregnancies.

Dipolog City’s ABR dropped from 73.8 per 1,000 girls to 30 in 2022, while Cagayan de Oro decreased from 47.4 five years ago to 34 in 2022. These improvements are attributed to data-driven innovations and high-impact programs focusing on youth involvement.

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World Asthma Day, observed annually on the first Tuesday of May, aims to raise awareness and improve asthma care worldwide.  Asthma affects millions of people globally, and celebrities are no exception. In this article, we celebrate five famous individuals who have not let their asthma hold them back, proving that asthma doesn’t have to be a barrier to success.

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The Malaysian Health Ministry has issued a voluntary recall for ‘Ah Lai White Curry Noodles’ and ‘Indomie: Special Chicken Flavour’ noodles from Indonesia after reports revealed the products contained ethylene oxide. The Taiwanese Health Department has also found ethylene oxide in the Indomie product. It has demanded a full recall.

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Clubfoot is a common foot deformity that affects approximately 1 in every 1,000 live births worldwide. It is characterized by a twisted foot, turned inward and downward, making it difficult to walk or even wear shoes. This condition affects people of all ages and races, but it is more common in certain parts of the world, particularly in Asia.

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Hay fever is a common condition affecting millions worldwide, causing symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. While there are many over-the-counter remedies available, some individuals turn to alternative treatments such as herbal teas. Recently, a Japanese health tea, advertised as “effective for hay fever,” has been found to contain the steroid dexamethasone, a potentially harmful substance.

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