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Chronic Diseases and Health Service Research

The research on primary health care services includes epidemiology and management of non-communicable disease and common illnesses, primary care services utilization, and outcomes of primary care services etc.

Our health services team has conducted a large evaluation of primary care service and interventions in Hong Kong with high impact publications internationally and policy impacts locally and regionally. Our multi-disciplinary projects in health and health service research have entailed collaboration between the HKU, Food and Health Bureau HKSAR, Department of Health HKSAR, Hong Kong Hospital Authority, local non-profit organizations and partners, along with regional and international institutions and others in Mainland China.

Researchers
  • Professor Eric Yuk Fai WAN (Data scientist lead)
  • Professor Peter TANUSEPUTRO (Clinical lead)
  • Professor Cindy Lo Kuen LAM
  • Professor Emily Tsui Yee TSE
  • Professor Linda CHAN
  • Dr Ivy Lynn MAK
  • Dr Shan LUO
  • Dr Yuk Kam YAU

Current research projects
  1.  A cross-sectional survey of parent-adolescent dyads on family influence on adolescent healthy eating. PI: Cindy L.K. LAM, 2023-2024, Health and Medical Research Fund, HK$465,000.
  2. Cohort study to investigate the outcomes of patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of structured multi-disciplinary intervention programmes. PI: Cindy L.K. LAM, 2019-2024, Health and Health Services Research Fund Commissioned Research to Support Local Cohorts and Follow-up Studies (CFS-HKU4), HK$5,999,020.
  3. An evaluation of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Chronic Disease Co-Care Pilot Scheme (CDCC Pilot Scheme): a commissioned study. PI: Eric Y. F. WAN, 2024-2026, Health and Medical Research Fund.   HK$7,992,219.
  4. Optimizing the frequency of complication monitoring for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care based on risk stratification. PI: Eric Y. F. WAN, 2023-2025, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macau). RMB¥2,000,000.
  5. Short- and long-term burden of COVID-19 in substance abusers: A cohort study. PI: Eric Y. F. WAN, 2023-2024, Beat Drugs Fund Regular Funding Scheme, Narcotics Division, Security Bureau. HK$372,453.
  6. Development and validation of a 10-year risk assessment tool for fragility fractures using electronic medical records for case finding of high-risk individuals in Hong Kong. PI: Eric Y. F. WAN, 2022-2025, Health and Medical Research Fund. HK$1,391,664.
  7. A multinational big data Covid-19 Epidemiological Study on post-infection Outcomes (ACESO). PI: Eric Y. F. WAN, 2021-2025, Collaborative Research Fund (CRF). HK$9,691,060.
  8. The long term spill-over impact of COVID-19 on health and healthcare of patients with non-communicable diseases: an in-depth outcome and health economic evaluation. PI: Eric Y. F. WAN, 2021-2026, Food and Health Bureau Commissioned Research on the Novel Coronavirus. HKD$9,334,600.
  9. When should statin therapy be initiated for patients with diabetes mellitus – a target randomized controlled trial emulation using big data. PI: Eric Y. F. WAN, 2020-2024, Health and Medical Research Fund Research Fellowship Scheme. HKD$1,135,398.
  10. Improving T2DM detection among at-Risk individuals – Effectiveness of Active Opportunistic Screening using spot Capillary-HbA1c test – a cluster randomized controlled trial (DM-REACH). PI: Linda CHAN, 2021-2024, Health and Medical Research Fund. HK$1,500,000.
  11. A cross-sectional survey exploring the willingness of Hong Kong people to use teleconsultation in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic. PI: Emily T.Y. TSE, 2023-2024, Health and Medical Research Fund. HK$511,216.
  12. The Impact of language on care and outcomes in patients with prostate or breast cancer. PI: P Tanuseputro, 2024-2025, Canadian Institutes for Health Research Project Grant – Bridge Funding. CAD$100,000.
  13. Understanding and improving the use of acute care hospitals for older adults in retirement homes. PI: P Tanuseputro, 2024-2027, Canadian Institutes for Health Research Project Grant. CAD$455,176.
  14. Supporting aging in place with dementia: A population-based analysis of health care use, health outcomes and future burden. PI: P Tanuseputro, 2023-2027, Canadian Institutes for Health Research Project Grant. CAD$428,400.
  15. Creating a Learning Health System to Improve Palliative and End-of-life Care in Long-term Care Homes. PI: P Tanuseputro, 2023-2024, Ontario Ministry of Health. Ontario Health Data Platform First Movers’ Fund. CAD$1,459,875.
  16. Generating data-driven policy solutions for Ontario's primary care crisis. Principal Investigators: Kendall C (NPA). PI: P Tanuseputro, 2023-2024, Canadian Institutes for Health Research Project Grant Catalyst Grant. CAD$149,690.
  17. The Impact of Language Concordant Care for Inpatient Terminal Cancer Patients. PI: P Tanuseputro, 2023-2024, Association Médicale Universitaire Montfort (AMUM). CAD$91,000.
  18. Primary Care & Health Services Research Initiatives for Families, The HKU Health Programme in Tung Chung. PI: Emily Tse, 2024-2025, Kerry Kuok Group Foundation (Hong Kong) Limited, HK$4,363,314.
 

Key publications
  1. P Tanuseputro, C Webber, J Downar. Illness trajectories in the age of big data. BMJ. 2024;384:q510.
  2. DT Myran, P Tanuseputro, N Auger, L Konikoff, R Talarico, Y Finkelstein. Edible Cannabis Legalization and Unintentional Poisonings in Children. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387(8):757-759.
  3. DT Myran, LD Harrison, M Pugliese, M Solmi, KK Anderson, JG Fiedorowicz, CM Perlman, C Webber, Y Finkelstein, P Tanuseputro. Transition to Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder Following Emergency Department Visits Due to Substance Use With and Without Psychosis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2023;80(11):1169-1174.
  4. M Solmi, N Fabiano, AE Clarke, SG Fung, P Tanuseputro, G Knoll, DT Myran, A Bugeja, MM Sood, GL Hundemer. Adverse outcomes and mortality in individuals with eating disorder-related electrolyte abnormalities in Ontario, Canada: a population-based cohort study. Lancet Psychiatry. 2024;11(10):818-827.
  5. W Xu, AL Lee, CLK Lam, G Danaei, EYF Wan. Benefits and Risks Associated With Statin Therapy for Primary Prevention in Old and Very Old Adults : Real-World Evidence From a Target Trial Emulation Study. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2024;177(6):701-710.
  6. W Xu, VKC Yan, Z Zhang, KK Fung, KH Chan, KK Lau, CSL Chui, FTT Lai, X Li, EWY Chan, ICK Wong, EYF Wan. Myasthenia gravis following statin therapy: evidence from target trial emulation and self-controlled case series study. Nature Communications. 2024;15(1):10317.
  7. ICH Lam, R Zhang, KKC Man, CKH Wong, CSL Chui, FTT Lai, X Li, EWY Chan, CS Lau, ICK Wong, EYF Wan. Persistence in risk and effect of COVID-19 vaccination on long-term health consequences after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nature Communications. 2024;15(1):1716.
  8. MH Choi, EYF Wan, ICK Wong, EWY Chan, WM Chu, AR Tam, KY Yuen, IFN Hung. Comparative effectiveness of combination therapy with nirmatrelvir-ritonavir and remdesivir versus monotherapy with remdesivir or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in patients hospitalised with COVID-19: a target trial emulation study. Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2024;24(11):1213-1224.
  9. ETY Tse, CKH Wong, DD Wu, JY Chen, TP Lam. A Cross-Sectional Survey Exploring the Willingness of Hong Kong People to Use Teleconsultation in Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Telemedicine Journal and E-health. 2024.
  10. F Lu, CKH Wong, ETY Tse, APP Ng, L Li, L Bedford, DYT Fong, P Ip, CLK Lam. The 5-year outcomes of a health-empowerment program on low-income children's behaviors and quality of life. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health. 2024;18(1):144.
  11. W Dong, WHG Cheng, ETY Tse, Y Mi, CKH Wong, EHM Tang, EYT Yu, WY Chin, LE Bedford, WWK Ko, DVK Chao, KCB Tan, CLK Lam. Development and validation of a diabetes mellitus and prediabetes risk prediction function for case finding in primary care in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study and a prospective study protocol paper. BMJ Open. 2022;12(5):e059430.
  12. W Xu, L Chan, G Danaei, Y Lu, EYF Wan. Long-term statin use and risk of cancers: a target trial emulation study. Journal of clinical epidemiology. 2024;172:111425.
  13. EYF Wan, EYT Yu, L Chan, AHY Mok, Y Wang, EWY Chan, ICK Wong, CLK Lam. Comparative Risks of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Cardiovascular Diseases: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Journal of clinical pharmacology. 2023;63(1):126-134.
  14. L Chan, RKW Liu, TP Lam, JY Chen, GL Tipoe, FA Ganotice. Validation of the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) among medical educators in Hong Kong: a confirmatory factor analysis. Medical Education Online. 2022;27(1):2044635.
  15. B Wang, IL Mak, KSN Liu, EPH Choi, CLK Lam, EYF Wan. Association between Type 2 Diabetes onset age and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality: Two cohort studies from United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Diabetes & Metabolism. 2025;51(2):101607.
  16. EYF Wan, EYT Yu, IL Mak, HM Youn, KS Chan, EWY Chan, ICK Wong, CLK Lam. Diabetes with poor-control HbA1c is cardiovascular disease 'risk equivalent' for mortality: UK Biobank and Hong Kong population-based cohort study. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. 2023;11(1).
  17. IL Mak, EYF Wan, TKT Wong, WWJ Lee, EWY Chan, EPH Choi, CSL Chui, MSM Ip, WCS Lau, KK Lau, SF Lee, ICK Wong, EYT Yu, CLK Lam. The Spill-Over Impact of the Novel Coronavirus-19 Pandemic on Medical Care and Disease Outcomes in Non-communicable Diseases: A Narrative Review. Public Health Reviews. 2022;43:1604121.
  18. Y Liang, S Luo, EYF Wan, CL Cheung, D Gill, SL Au Yeung. Relative effects of genetically proxied glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonism on muscle and fat mass: A Mendelian randomization study. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism. 2025.
  19. S Luo, HS Lam, YH Chan, CSM Tang, B He, MK Kwok, GM Leung, CM Schooling, SL Au Yeung. Assessing the safety of lipid-modifying medications among Chinese adolescents: a drug-target Mendelian randomization study. BMC medicine. 2023;21(1):410.
  20. S Luo, ICK Wong, CSL Chui, J Zheng, Y Huang, CM Schooling, SLA Yeung. Effects of putative metformin targets on phenotypic age and leukocyte telomere length: a mendelian randomisation study using data from the UK Biobank. The lancet Healthy longevity. 2023;4(7):e337-e344.
  21. S Luo, Y Liang, THT Wong, CM Schooling, SL Au Yeung. Identifying factors contributing to increased susceptibility to COVID-19 risk: a systematic review of Mendelian randomization studies. International journal of epidemiology. 2022;51(4):1088-1105.
  22. YK Yau, LHS Lau, RNS Lui, SH Wong, CL Guo, JWY Mak, JYL Ching, M Ip, MA Kamm, DT Rubin, PKS Chan, FKL Chan, SC Ng. Long-Term Safety Outcomes of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Real-World Data Over 8 Years from the Hong Kong FMT Registry. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology 2024;22(3):611-620.e612.
  23. YK Yau, Q Su, Z Xu, W Tang, JYL Ching, JWY Mak, CP Cheung, M Fung, M Ip, PKS Chan, JCY Wu, FKL Chan, SC Ng. Randomised clinical trial: Faecal microbiota transplantation for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 2023;58(8):795-804.
  24. W Xu, YK Yau, Y Pan, ETY Tse, CLK Lam, EYF Wan. Effectiveness and Safety of Using Statin for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in Hypercholesterolemic Elderly Patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases: A Target Trial Emulation Study. The Lancet Healthy Longevity. 2025. (in press)
  25. F Lu, CKH Wong, ETY Tse, APP Ng, L Li, JSM Lam, L Bedford, DYT Fong, P Ip, CLK Lam. The Impact of a Health Empowerment Program on Self-Care Enablement and Mental Health among Low-Income Families: Evidence from a 5 Year Cohort Study in Hong Kong. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(6):5168.
  26. KSN Liu, JY Chen, KS Sun, JPY Tsang, P Ip, CKH Wong, CLK Lam. The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Healthy Eating Questionnaire: a pilot validation study in Chinese families. Front Public Health. 2024 Jul 17;12:1355638.
  27. EKP Lee, PKM Poon, ETY Tse, SQ Wang, SN Ramdzan, R Sit, WL Ng, L Chan, CP Yu. Evening dosing versus morning dosing of anti-hypertensive medications for nocturnal hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 107 randomized controlled trials. (Conference proceedings) J Hypertens 42(Suppl 1):p e257, May 2024.
  28. WHG Cheng, W Dong, ETY Tse, L Chan, CKH Wong, WY Chin, LE Bedford, WK Ko, DVK Chao, KCB Tan, CLK Lam. Recalibration of a Non-Laboratory-Based Risk Model to Estimate Pre-Diabetes/Diabetes Mellitus Risk in Primary Care in Hong Kong. J Prim Care Community Health. 2024;15:21501319241241188.
  29. L Chan, CLK Lam, SYS Wong, EYF Wan, DVK Chao, WK Ko, XR Chen, ES Lee, WL Ng, PPL Chan, EVM Bilney, Z Tang, S Yuen. Improving T2DM Detection in Primary Care–Effectiveness of Active Opportunistic Screening Using Point-of-Care Capillary HbA1c. (Conference proceedings) Ann Fam Med. 2024; 22(Suppl 1) 5944.
  30. EKP Lee, S Wang, WL Ng, SN Ramdzan, ETY Tse, L Chan, AA Rashid, WY Chin, CP Yu, R Sit, P Poon. Evening dosing versus morning dosing of anti-hypertensive medications for nocturnal hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 107 randomized controlled trials. J Hypertens. 2024 Oct 1;42(10):1653-1664.
 

Past research projects
  1. What are the family barriers and facilitators of healthy eating habits among adolescents? PI: Cindy L.K. LAM, 2021-2023, Health and Medical Research Fund. HK$440,650.
  2. What is optimal blood pressure target for antihypertensive treatment? A target randomized controlled trial emulation using big data. PI: Eric Y. F. WAN, 2021-2023, Health and Medical Research Fund. HK$925,260.
  3. The Development and Validation of a DM and Pre-DM Risk Predication Function for Case Finding in Primary Care in Hong Kong. PI: Cindy L. K. LAM, 2020-2023, Health and Health Service Research Fund. HK$1,499,908.
  4. Effectiveness of Routine Measurement of Health-related Quality of Life in Improving the Outcomes of Patients with Musculoskeletal Problems- A Randomized Controlled Trial. PI: Cindy L.K. LAM, 2020-2023, UGC-General Research Fund (GRF). $1,069,198.
  5. Resilience: A Mixed Methods Study of Hong Kong Medical Educators. PI: Linda CHAN, 2020-2022, Enhanced New Staff Start-up Research Grant. HK$380,000.
  6. Resilience: A Pilot Mixed Methods Study of HKU Medical Educators. PI: Linda CHAN, 2020-2022, Seed Fund for Basic Research for New Staff. HK$150,000.
  7. Optimization in Hong Kong Public Health Service using Big Data research. PI: Eric YF WAN, 2019-2022, HKU Start-up Fund. HK$1,850,000.
  8. HKCFP-HKU Primary Care Morbidity Survey in Hong Kong. PI: Cindy L. K. LAM, 2019-2022, HKCFP Commissioned grant. HK$400,000.
  9. Pilot study on the association between blood pressure and risk of vascular and non-vascular diseases. PI: Dr Eric Yuk Fai WAN, 2019-2021, Seed Fund for Basic Research. HK$149,886.
  10. Primary Care & Health Services Research Initiatives for Families: Health Assessment and Health Empowerment Programmes for Trekkers Families. PI: Cindy L.K. LAM, 2019-2020, Kerry Group and Kuok Foundation Endowed Research Fund. HK$2,800,000.
  11. The psychometric properties of a modified Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI-2) as a tool for serial measurements of health enablement. PI: Cindy L.K. LAM, 2019-2020, Kerry Group and Kuok Foundation Endowed Research Fund (Annual budget HK$1.78 to 2.8 million).
  12. A pilot study on the validity and reliability of ‘The Person-Centered Primary Care Measure’ in a Chinese population. PI: Emily T. Y. TSE, 2018-2020, Enhanced New Staff Start-up Packages. HK$380,000.
  13. Primary Care & Health Services Research Initiatives for Families: Health Assessment and Health Empowerment Programmes for Trekkers Families. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2018-2019, Kerry Group and Kuok Foundation Endowed Research Fund. HK$2,643,705.
  14. 10-year Risk Prediction Models of Complications and Mortality of Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Patients in Primary Care in Hong Kong. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2017-2019, Health and Medical Research Fund. HK$1,200,000.
  15. Primary Care & Health Services Research Initiatives for Families: Health Assessment and Health Empowerment Programmes for Trekkers Families. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2017-2018, Kerry Group and Kuok Foundation Endowed Research Fund. HK$2,780,224.
  16. Primary Care & Health Services Research Initiatives for Families: Health Assessment and Health Empowerment Programmes for Trekkers Families. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2017-2017, Kerry Group and Kuok Foundation Endowed Research Fund. HK$2,914,960.
  17. Provision of Data Analysis and Report Writing Services for the Population Health Survey 2014/15. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2016-2017, Department of Health Contract Research. HK$745,741.
  18. Primary Care & Health Services Research Initiatives for Families: Health Assessment and Health Empowerment Programmes for Trekkers Families. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2016-2016, Kerry Group and Kuok Foundation Endowed Research Fund. HK$2,916,598.
  19. Extended evaluation of quality of care of chronic disease management and public-private partnership programmes of the Hospital Authority. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2011-2016, Commissioned Study on Enhanced Primary Care, Food and Health Bureau. HK$5,685,000.
  20. Primary Care & Health Services Research Initiatives for Families: Health Assessment and Health Empowerment Programmes for Trekkers Families. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2015-2015, Kerry Group and Kuok Foundation Endowed Research Fund. HK$2,891,584.
  21. Primary Care & Health Services Research Initiatives for Families: Health Assessment and Health Empowerment Programmes for Trekkers Families. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2014-2015, Kerry Group and Kuok Foundation Endowed Research Fund. HK$2,338,436.
  22. Evaluation Study on Quality of Care of Healthcare Programmes. PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2010-2012, Hospital Authority tendered research project. HK$790,300.
  23. Utilization Pattern of Primary Health Care Services in Hong Kong - Does Having a Family Doctor Make Any Difference? PI: Cindy L. K. Lam, 2007-2008, Health and Health Services Research Fund SHS-P-10. HK$567,606.