e-Bulletin April 2025

EVENT SNIPPETS
Public Health Forum 2025
Translating Science to Better Health

The School of Public Health hosted the Public Health Forum 2025 entitled “Translating Science to Better Health” on April 12, 2025. The Forum aimed to explore the practical applications of research findings to enhance public health outcomes, bridging the gap between scientific discoveries and real-world impact.

The Forum began with welcome remarks from Professor Zhang Xiang, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), and Professor Chak-sing Lau, HKU Dean of Medicine, who emphasised the vital role of research in advancing public health practice.

The guest lectures were delivered by two distinguished speakers. Professor Hu Qinghua, Deputy Director of Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, demonstrated how multi-source disease surveillance systems transform outbreak response. Dr Fan Ning, Founder of Health in Action and Chairman of Forget Thee Not, explored how public health principles extend across professional disciplines.

A key highlight of the Forum was the roundtable discussion, moderated by Professor David Bishai, Director and Clinical Profssor of our School. The discussion featured an esteemed panel of speakers, including Dr Rebecca Grais, Executive Director of Pasteur Network; Professor Yik-ying Teo, Dean of Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health of National University of Singapore; and Professor Eng-kiong Yeoh, Professor of Public Health and Director of Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research at the JC School of Public Health and Primary Care of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The panel discussed strategies for converting research into community benefits. The discussion sparked thought-provoking conversations and provided actionable insights for attendees.

The Public Health Forum 2025 brought together more than 160 participants, which clearly demonstrated how scientific knowledge can translate into real-world health solutions when researchers, practitioners and students come together. The Forum also featured a poster session, where 50 posters were displayed, showcasing the research and findings of our next-generation public health professionals.

Winners of the Poster Session are as follows:

Best Poster Award
Winner: Ms Tiffany Ma Sze-Wai (PhD)
Poster Title: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Cross-National Analysis of 17 Countries

First Runner-up: Ms Whitney Au Wing-Yin (PhD)
Poster Title: Effectiveness of a School-based Physical Activity Intervention on Reducing Adiposity and Improving Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Preschoolers with Obesity: Preliminary Results of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Second Runner-up: Ms Scarlett Lo Hei-Tung (MPhil)
Poster Title: The Effectiveness of a Physical Activity-Embedded Curriculum on School Readiness among Kindergarten Children: Preliminary Results of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

  • A group photo of the distinguished guests, speakers, panellists and moderators of Public Health Forum 2025.
  • Professor Zhang Xiang, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, emphasises the vital role of research in advancing public health practice.
  • Professor Chak-sing Lau, HKU Dean of Medicine, delivers welcome remarks at the Opening Ceremony.
  • Professor David Bishai, Director and Clinical Professor of the School of Public Health, introduces the speakers at the Public Health Forum 2025.
  • Professor Hu Qinghua, Deputy Director of Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, delivers her lecture on “Strengthen Multi-Source Infectious Disease Survelliance, Safeguard Public Health”.
  • (From left) Dr Fan Ning speaks on “Public Health is On My Plate Even When I am Operating”, moderated by Dr Nason Tan, Senior Lecturer of the School of Public Health.
  • The roundtable discussion features an esteemed panel of speakers, including Dr Rebecca Grais, Executive Director of Pasteur Network; Professor YY Teo, Dean of Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore; and Professor Eng-kiong Yeoh, Professor of Public Health and Director of Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research at the JC School of Public Health and Primary Care of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The session is moderated by Professor David Bishai.
  • Professor Zhang Tong, Professor (by courtesy) of the School of Public Health and Chair Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering, at HKU Department of Civil Engineering, moderates the Q&A session of Professor Hu Qinghua’s lecture.
  • Best Poster Award Winner: Ms Tiffany Ma Sze-Wai (PhD)
  • Best Poster Award – First Runner-up: Ms Whitney Au Wing-Yin (PhD)
  • Best Poster Award – Second Runner-up: Ms Scarlett Lo Hei-Tung (MPhil)
  • Professor Zhang Xiang, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, emphasises the vital role of research in advancing public health practice.
  • Professor Chak-sing Lau, HKU Dean of Medicine, delivers welcome remarks at the Opening Ceremony.
  • Professor David Bishai, Director and Clinical Professor of the School of Public Health, introduces the speakers at the Public Health Forum 2025.
  • Professor Hu Qinghua, Deputy Director of Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, delivers her lecture on “Strengthen Multi-Source Infectious Disease Survelliance, Safeguard Public Health”.
  • (From left) Dr Fan Ning speaks on “Public Health is On My Plate Even When I am Operating”, moderated by Dr Nason Tan, Senior Lecturer of the School of Public Health.
  • The roundtable discussion features an esteemed panel of speakers, including Dr Rebecca Grais, Executive Director of Pasteur Network; Professor YY Teo, Dean of Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore; and Professor Eng-kiong Yeoh, Professor of Public Health and Director of Centre for Health Systems and Policy Research at the JC School of Public Health and Primary Care of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The session is moderated by Professor David Bishai.
  • Professor Zhang Tong, Professor (by courtesy) of the School of Public Health and Chair Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering, at HKU Department of Civil Engineering, moderates the Q&A session of Professor Hu Qinghua’s lecture.
  • Best Poster Award Winner: Ms Tiffany Ma Sze-Wai (PhD)
  • Best Poster Award – First Runner-up: Ms Whitney Au Wing-Yin (PhD)
  • Best Poster Award – Second Runner-up: Ms Scarlett Lo Hei-Tung (MPhil)
  • A group photo of the distinguished guests, speakers, panellists and moderators of Public Health Forum 2025.
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