Only 30% of Hong Kong citizens[1] understand the symptoms of diabetes
Growing trend of youngsters diagnosed with Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the ten leading causes of death in Hong Kong[2]; one out of ten people in Hong Kong is living with the disease, including more than 20% of patients who were diagnosed before they turned 40 years old[3], and more than a half of patients have undiagnosed diabetes[4]. AXA Hong Kong commissioned marketing research firm Nielsen to conduct an online survey with 1,010 interviewees aged from 18 to 54. The findings revealed that nearly 90% of respondents expressed that they are not diabetic patients and around 70% of respondents misunderstood the symptoms of diabetes.

Due to the fact that diabetes may lead to life-threatening consequences, Hong Kong citizens with a weak awareness of diabetes cannot be overlooked. According to data, patients with the ‘three-highs’ (high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high BMI) may have a higher risk of developing diabetes[5], and diabetes patients have twice the risk of developing liver cancer[6].

 “The survey revealed that Hong Kong citizens do not fully understand diabetes, and underestimate the impact to health associated with diabetes and the ‘three highs’. According to an analysis of the data from Hospital Authority, the annual direct medical costs for diabetes treatment can exceed HKD$120,000[7]. As a lifelong health partner, AXA Hong Kong is committed to putting our customers at the forefront to enjoy a healthier life. Further to launching the innovative insurance initiative ‘BetterMe by AXA’ and the first ‘Quit Smoking Incentive’ programme, for our second series, we invited Asia Diabetes Foundation Limited and GemVCare, to co-launch the first-in-market ‘AXA Diabetes & Three-Highs Management Programme’. This programme combines personalised dietary advice, physical training and health education to manage clients’ year-long health conditions, and support them in the ‘Better Me’ programme to effectively reduce the risks and anxieties associated with diabetes and the ‘Three-Highs’, said Xavier Lestrade, Managing Director, Life Insurance, AXA Hong Kong.

AXA Hong Kong believes that protection is not just about insurance product, but a concept.  There are some customers who cannot be covered by insurance due to their living habits, or chronic illnesses.  As a long term partner of our customers, AXA Hong Kong has launched an innovative insurance initiative ‘BetterMe by AXA’ to provide flexibility to these customers, and encourage them along the health journey, so that they can be adequately covered.  ‘BetterMe by AXA’ covers three areas with breakthroughs in underwriting approaches, inclusiveness of protection and all-round health management, it aims to protect customers in every possible way whilst supporting them to live a healthier and better life.

The ‘AXA Diabetes & Three-Highs Management Programme’ is a new series from ‘BetterMe by AXA’. This programme is authorised by the Asia Diabetes Foundation Limited (JADE®), with service provided by GemVCare, founded by a team of CUHK researchers with support from Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities. It aims to provide personalised professional health guidelines, suggestions and support to our customers, including: -

• Participation in the Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation Programme (JADE®) – Through an all-round risk assessment service, customers may fully manage their health conditions and control diabetes in an effective way.
• 15% Premium Rebate – Upon completion of the ‘AXA Diabetes & Three-Highs Management Programme’ and accumulation of specific points, participants can enjoy a one-off 15% Premium Rebate.
• Nurse Consultation – A nurse will follow up the year-long health management programme to regularly assess the customer’s health condition.
• Dietary Advice – A registered dietitian will provide personalised dietary advice and a meal plan.
• Physical Training Advice – A certified physical trainer will provide physical training advice to maintain body health.
• Health Education – Regular workshops and webinars cover various topics including diabetes care, daily exercises and dietary planning to reinforce health knowledge.

 “Out of the 10% of diabetic patients in Hong Kong’s population, there are 2% to 6%[8] who will develop dangerous complications every year, including critical illness such as heart disease, kidney failure or stroke. This statistic raises public concern because of these complications which may lead to death. According to data from 2009 in Hong Kong, the youngest affected patient with type 2 diabetes was less than 9 years old[9] and the trend had increased 13-fold over a decade[9] It reflects the trend of adolescent-onset diabetes. JADE® is designed and developed by Asia Diabetes Foundation Limited, and currently has 30,000 participants in Hong Kong. The programme combines nurse-coordinated risk stratification and a supporting medical team to establish treatment programmes. Upon reassessment after 12 to 24 months, 20% to 50% of patients have a reduction in the incidence of major critical illness and hospitalisations[10],” said Professor Juliana CHAN, Chair Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at CUHK and Chairperson of GemVCare.

From 15 August 2018 to 24 December 2018, Diabetes & Three-Highs (high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high BMI) individuals, who successfully apply for the ‘CritiPartner Critical Illness Plan’ with a total annualised first-year premium of such basic plan and its supplement (if applicable) of HKD$12,000 or above (or its equivalent in foreign currency) will have a chance to join the ‘AXA Diabetes & Three-Highs Management Programme’.

 For more information on the new ‘AXA Diabetes & Three-Highs Management Programme’, please visit AXA Hong Kong website for details.  

Remarks:

[1] “AXA Stability and Prosperity Index” conducted between 13 April 2018 to 3 May 2018

[2]Source:https://www.healthyhk.gov.hk/phisweb/zh/healthy_facts/disease_burden/major_causes_death/major_causes_death/

[3] Source: http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201604/07/P201604070252.htm

[4] Source: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/output_pamphlet_tc_3.pdf

[5] Source: https://www.pco.gov.hk/tc_chi/resource/files/primary_care_settings.pdf

[6] Seshasai SR et al. Diabetes mellitus, fasting glucose, and risk of cause-specific death. The New England journal of medicine. 2011;364:829-41.

[7] Jiao FF, FF et al. Patient-Level Estimates of Diabetic Complications on Direct Medical Cost. Value in Health, 2014, 17: A340.

[8] Luk AOY et al. Declining Trends of Cardiovascular-Renal Complications and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes: The Hong Kong Diabetes Database. Diabetes care. 2017;40:928-935.

 [9] Co-ordinating Committee, Epidemiology Study of Childhood & Adolescent Diabetes, Hong Kong. An Update on the Epidemiology of Childhood Diabetes in Hong Kong. HK J Paediatr (New Series) 2009;14:252-259

 [10]Chan JC et al. Designing a sustainable public-private-partnership program to enhance diabetes care and evaluating its impact using an outcomes simulation model. Public Policy Research Funding Scheme. 2017.