| Abstract | Hong Kong is facing an epidemic of diabetes mellitus which is a leading cause of blindness, renal failure, acute myocardial infarction, leg amputation and cerebrovascular disease. Based on two surveys carried out in Hong Kong in 1987 and 1990, the prevalence of diabetes has been estimated to be 4.5% rising from less than 1% in the under -30's to over 10% in subjects over the age of 65 years. However, there are now solid data supporting the long term beneficial effects of optimal control of diabetes and its closely associated conditions. Hence, primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of the disease remain essential in order to cope with this health problem of such great degree of magnitude. |
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