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The “Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024” was jointly organized by the MOPH, ThaiHealth, the NHSO, the NHCO, and health partners, taking place under the theme: “Health Promotion: A Transformative Path towards Sustainable Health and Well-being” between November 4-8, 2024, at the ThaiHealth Center, Bangkok. Dr. Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy CEO of ThaiHealth, joined a discussion on the topic “Highlighting Health Promotion Movements in Thailand: Key Examples and Lessons.” “Thailand has a population of around 69 million. The leading causes of mortality among Thais are non- communicable diseases (NCDs) — such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases — accounting for 77% of total deaths, approximately 400,000 fatalities per year. Given this alarming figure, the country bears a significant socio-economic burden, with annual loss due to NCDs reaching $6 billion USD, equivalent to 2.2% of its GDP.” The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) jointly prioritized NCDs prevention and control among their most pressing global health agenda. This model encompasses five major NCDs – cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, diabetes, and mental health conditions; four biological changes, such as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised lipids, and obesity; and five major risk factors, including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution. This framework serves as a powerful tool...
06 Dec 67
56
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The “Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024,” hosted by the MOPH, ThaiHealth, the NHSO, the NHCO, WHO-CCS EnLIGHT, IHPF and ThaiHealth Academy, centered on the theme “Health Promotion: A Transformative Path towards Sustainable Health and Well-being. ” It was held from November 4-8, 2024, at the ThaiHealth Center, Bangkok. On November 7, 2024, the workshop presented Thailand’s Digital Health initiatives aiming to improve health system and advancing well-being. • The overview was presented by Dr. Pritaporn Kingkaew, head of Research Unit at the Health Intervention and Technology Assessment Program (HITAP). She pointed out that “Thailand’s population exceeds 71.6 million, and the country is categorized as an upper-middle-income country with GNI per capita of $6,190 USD. Additionally, it is recognized as one of the countries rapidly achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), enabling equitable access to healthcare services for all. This has ultimately contributed to an increase in average life expectancy at birth of 79 years. Notwithstanding this, the rapidly growing elderly population – accounting for 15% of the total – poses a radical challenge for the country since it may exert wide-ranging impacts on the economy, society, and public services. Simultaneously, internet usage among Thais has continued to increase exponentially, reaching 88% of the total population, which underscores the country’s complete transition into the digital age. This transformation has presented opportunities to...
06 Dec 67
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The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) together with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the National Health Security Office (NHSO), the National Health Commission Office (NHCO), the Enhancing Leadership in Global Health Thailand Programme (WHO-CCS EnLIGHT), the International Health Policy Program Foundation (IHPF), and the ThaiHealth Academy jointly organized the “Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024” under the theme “Health Promotion: A Transformative Path towards Sustainable Health and Well-being from November 4-8, 2024, at the ThaiHealth Center in Bangkok, Thailand. Dr. Prakasit Kayasith, Senior Assistant CEO and Director of Partnership and International Relations, ThaiHealth, mentioned that “Now in its fourth iteration, the Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024 aims to share lessons and experiences of Thailand’s overall health system and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with low-and middle-income countries while encouraging discussions and networking to promote health and well-being. We believe that Thailand’s experiences, best practices, and lessons in health promotion can serve as valuable knowledge for other countries. Additionally, this five-day workshop is expected to deepen understanding of health promotion, strengthen health systems, and UHC, contributing to improving health and well-being worldwide and lay the foundation for international collaboration in the years ahead.” Speaking on the theme “Health Promotion: A Transformative Path Towards Improved and More Sustainable Well-being”, Dr. Prakasit stated: “Health” was defined by WHO in 1946 as ‘a state of...
02 Dec 67
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During November 4 – 8, 2024, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) along with several key health organizations in Thailand, including the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the National Health Security Office (NHSO), the National Health Commission Office (NHCO), the Enhancing Leadership on Global Health-Thailand Program under the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS-EnLIGHT), the International Health Policy Foundation (IHPF) in collaboration with the ThaiHealth Academy (THA) hosted a regional workshop Thai UHC Journey Workshop 2024 under the theme “Health Promotion: A Transformative Pathway towards Sustainable Health and Well-being” in Bangkok Thailand to share and exchange knowledge and experiences in health promotion with other Asian countries. The event welcomed 25 participants, including government officials, health policy and research experts, and representatives from civil society organizations across ten countries in Asia, including Malaysia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and Thailand. Representatives from international organizations, such as the Asian Development Bank, Vital Strategies, and Regional Laboratory on Urban Governance for Health and Well-being, also attended. The workshop aimed to highlight the significance of health promotion in fostering sustainable changes in health behaviors and well-being. Dr. Prakasit Kayasith, Assistant CEO of ThaiHealth, noted that this was the fourth edition of the annually-held Thai UHC Journey Workshop, designed to showcase and share Thailand’s experiences and achievements in health promotion, which...
21 Nov 67
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INHPF Expresses Concerns over the Impact of “E-Cigarettes” on the Health of Children and Young People Worldwide, Advocating for Control Measures to Safeguard Public Health Over the past decade, e-cigarettes have been growing in popularity, with users worldwide increasing from 7 million in 2011 to 82 million in 2021. In particular, teenagers have shown greater interest and use of e-cigarettes. Studies worldwide have revealed that vaping can result in serious health issues. A major concern lies in the fact that young people starting with e-cigarettes are nearly four times more likely to smoke traditional cigarettes, compared to those who do not use e-cigarettes, due to the presence of nicotine as a stimulant. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was reported that in 2022, 2.55 million middle and high school students smoked e-cigarettes. Between 2020 and 2022, the proportion of teenagers aged 14-17 using e-cigarettes rose substantially from 2.1% to 11.8%. This figure was in line with the trend of young adults aged 18-24 whose smoking rates nearly doubled from 5.6% to 21.4%. The 21st Annual Meeting of the International Network of Health Promotion Foundations 2024 (21st INHPF Annual Meeting 2024) and Queensland Prevention Symposium, held from September 2-5, 2024, in Queensland, Australia, was led by the International...
27 Sep 67
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ThaiHealth Proposes Strategies to Tackle Childhood Obesity in Thailand at INHPF Annual Meeting 2024, Expressing Concerns over Rising Obesity among Children Worldwide At the 21st Annual Meeting of the International Network of Health Promotion Foundations 2024 (21st INHPF Annual Meeting 2024) and Queensland Prevention Symposium, held from September 2-5, 2024, in Queensland, Australia, the executives of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) joined the discussion with member countries of the International Network of Health Promotion Foundations (INHPF) on addressing childhood obesity. One of the serious health issues causing global concern is obesity in many children worldwide. In fact, nearly one-fifth of children around the world are overweight or obese, including 39 million children under the age of five and 340 million children aged 5-19. Participating in the discussion were member organizations, including the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the Singapore Health Promotion Board, the Tonga Health Promotion Foundation, and Australia’s Health and Wellbeing Queensland. Childhood obesity stems from unhealthy eating habits that affect health, society, and the economy. It has been exacerbated by a variety of challenges such as COVID-19, climate change, and economic recession, resulting in increased prices for fresh food and greater marketing of unhealthy processed foods. The leading contributors to childhood obesity stem from the surrounding environment. In particular, decreased outdoor activities and increased screen time among...
23 Sep 67
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Recently, a delegation from ThaiHealth, led by Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, M.D., CEO of ThaiHealth, and Dr. Nuttapun Supaka, Director of Partnership and International Relations Section, attended the 21st Annual Meeting of the International Network of Health Promotion Foundations 2024 (21st INHPF Annual Meeting 2024) and Queensland Prevention Symposium, held from September 2-5, 2024, in Queensland, Australia. The event was co-hosted by Health and Wellbeing Queensland, one of the member countries of the International Network of Health Promotion Foundations (INHPF), and Queensland Health. The meeting featured the Meeting of the International Network of Health Promotion Foundations, or the INHPF Annual Meeting 2024, which is the annual conference of network members, including ThaiHealth, VicHealth, HealthWay, Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the Singapore Health Promotion Board (HPB), the Korea Health Promotion Institution (KHEPI), the Tonga Health Promotion Foundation (TongaHealth), and the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) of Taiwan. In addition, the international conference Queensland Prevention Symposium 2024 was held, which served as a platform for discussing health promotion issues in Queensland and other countries, such as e-cigarettes, physical activity, health promotion among children and adolescents, and social marketing. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, M.D., CEO of ThaiHealth, commented on attending the meeting, “Learning the ideas and practices of health promotion from other countries will strengthen ThaiHealth’s capacity to advance health promotion initiatives in Thailand. We will draw on this...
10 Sep 67
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August is a special month in Thailand as it marks the celebration of Mother’s Day, a time to honor and appreciate the incredible contributions of mothers across the nation. This celebration provides an opportune moment to highlight the significant efforts of ThaiHealth and its partners in Protecting promoting and supporting breastfeeding, thereby ensuring that every child receives the best start in life. ThaiHealth, in collaboration with various partners, has implemented numerous initiatives to support breastfeeding. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing public health and fostering healthier communities. The following outlines ThaiHealth’s key initiatives and the contributions of its partners: Community Engagement and Awareness Programs ThaiHealth has launched several community-based programs designed to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding. These programs are conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health, local municipalities, and community organizations. Key activities include: Workshops and Training: ThaiHealth collaborates with the Ministry of Public Health and local municipalities to conduct workshops for healthcare professionals, community leaders, and parents. Community organizations assist in organizing and promoting these workshops within local communities. Public Campaigns: Media partners, including television channels, radio stations, and online platforms, help disseminate public campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding. Supportive Environments for Breastfeeding Mothers Creating supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers is crucial for promoting...
14 Aug 67
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In early July, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), in collaboration with the Smart Community Smart Network, held the forum “Fostering Synergy for Innovation towards Sustainable Community Health in 2024” under the theme “Local Communities Join Hands to Solve National Issues”. The event focused on empowering local communities to address issues from the community to the national level. It was held at IMPACT Forum, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province, with 5,725 participants from 530 networks across Thailand. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, M.D., CEO of ThaiHealth, stated that the forum “Fostering Synergy for Innovation towards Sustainable Community Health” is now in its 13th year, which bears a testament to the unwavering power and potential of local communities, contributing to sustainable local communities, self-governed local communities, and livable local communities. The goals include 1. Synergizing the Smart Community Smart Network and the health promotion network through collaboration among local communities, private organizations, public interest organizations, government agencies, state enterprises, and other government entities; 2. Raising awareness of critical issues, leading to the prevention and resolution of problems within local communities and the country; 3. Sharing knowledge on community health practices towards ThaiHealth’s strategic goals; and 4. Expanding unique ideas and approaches for advancing health promotion through a place-based, integrated approach. Currently, ThaiHealth supports 3,618 networks of the Smart Community Smart Network nationwide to foster...
24 Jul 67
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ThaiHealth joined forces with the StopDrink Network Office (SNO) and the StopDrink Network Nationwide to implement the “Persuade, Help, and Encourage” strategies for alcohol abstinence during the Buddhist Lent, complementing the “Healthy Sobriety” campaign to foster a healthy society free from alcohol and its health risks. Marking its 22nd year, ThaiHealth, SDO, and its partners have been running the Buddhist Lent Alcohol Abstinence project since 2003. The 2022 survey carried out by the Centre for Alcohol Studies (CAS) demonstrated that 17.8% of participants completely abstained from alcohol throughout the Lent period, while 19% abstained at times and reduced their drinking. Overall, 36.8%, representing 9,383,490 individual, abstained and reduced their drinking, surpassing the 2021 survey where 30.3% abstained and reduced their alcohol consumption. Based on estimates, the total number of those changing their drinking behavior during this year’s Buddhist Lent reached 10,150,994, an increase of 770,000 individuals compared to 2023. This figure consists of 5,285,940 individuals who abstained from alcohol throughout the Lent period, 2,268,696 of those who abstained occasionally, and 2,596,358 of those who did not abstain but reduced their alcohol consumption. Approximately 3,738,246 individuals were estimated to have saved money by abstaining from alcohol during this campaign, with average saving of 1,506.97 baht per person over the 3-month period, contributing to total national savings of 4,227,770,171 baht. Evidently, the...
20 Jul 67
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The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), led by Dr.Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, CEO of ThaiHealth, along with Dr. Pairoj Saonuam , Deputy CEO, attended the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA77) and related activities from May 26 to June 1, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland along with representatives from 194 member states. ThaiHealth contributed as a part of Thailand team in WHA77 by sharing experiences in promoting sodium reduction strategies, sharing key lessons on alcohol control policies, discussing health promotion approaches, and joining efforts with other member states to advance health initiatives. This world health assembly focused on key global issues amidst growing challenges. Dr. Pongthep shared that the key topics discussed with the member states at WHA77 included: Achieving the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, with a focus on implementation and social participation, enhancing primary healthcare systems, and ensuring access to comprehensive health services to achieve health equity; Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), with the member states discussing new strategies to prevent and control NCDs; Strengthening health systems to prepare for and respond to future pandemics and addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) issues; Expanding access to mental health services, especially for children and adolescents, with the assembly endorsing a global action plan to promote mental health and prevent suicide; and Addressing climate change affecting public health, with the assembly discussing strategies to mitigate the...
25 Jun 67
69
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Between 13 – 14 June, 2024 Dr.Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, ThaiHealth CEO, together with Dr. Jadej Thammatacharee, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO) represented Thailand in the ASEAN Priority Setting Exercise in Singapore. This key meeting was convened by the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), National University of Singapore (NUS), aiming for the region’s health leaders to share valuable insights and expertise to address health challenges prevalent in the region as well as to explore collaborative opportunities across different sectors and among ASEAN countries on health.
18 Jun 67
71
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On June 12, 2024 between 13.30-17.00 Dr. Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, ThaiHealth CEO and Mr.Rungsun Munkong, International Relations Expert along with experts from HITAP visited the Singapore Health Promotion Board (HPB) to exchange knowledge about the organizations policy framework and HPB’s key innovative interventions, such as Healthy365 the healthy lifestyle integrated digital platform, Nutri-Grade Labeling for sugary drinks, Healthier Choices logo and etc. The delegation received a warm welcome from HPB Chief Executive, Mr. Tay Choon Hong and other key executives and staff.
13 Jun 67
252
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Mr. Rungsun Munkong, International Relations Expert, ThaiHealth, represented Thailand to speak at the WHA77 Side Event “Charting Alcohol Policy Progress Around the World: For the Full Implementation of the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan,” organized by Movendi International on May 31, 2024,12:30-13:45hr, at the InterContinental Hotel, Geneva, Switzerland. The event explored lessons learned and key challenges in developing and implementing alcohol control policies from several countries around the word towards full implementation of the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030. In addition to Thailand, the event featured international leaders and experts from Movendi International, WHO, Ghana, Nepal, Latvia, Norway, Zambia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Iceland.
05 Jun 67
87
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On 29 May 2024, 16.15-17.00 at WHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland, Dr.Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy CEO of ThaiHealth and Mr.Rungsun Munkong, International Relation Expert, ThaiHealth together with Dr.Preeda Tae-arak, Deputy Secretary-General, National Health Commission Office (NHCO) met with WHO Department of Health Promotion, led by Dr.Rudiger Krech, Director and his team. ThaiHealth updated on its movement to build awareness and common understanding of health and well-being concept in alignment with WHO Global Framework on well-being and health promotion. The meeting also focused on the future collaboration between ThaiHealth and WHO to advance health promotion in Thailand and other developing countries.
31 May 67
87
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Dr.Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy CEO ThaiHealth, represented Thailand in speaking at a side event convened by Resolve to Save Lives and NCD Alliance, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, during the 77th World Health Assembly: “Salt reduction: The missing ingredient for effective food policy” on 28 May 2024 from 8:00-9:30 AM at the InterContinental in Geneva, Switzerland. At this event, we hear insights from esteemed international experts and champion countries including Thailand, Singapore and Camerron that have taken action to reduce excess sodium from their food supplies. Dr.Pairoj shared Thailand’s experience with food policies and sodium reduction.
30 May 67
143
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“Cigarettes” cause a health crisis with devastating effects on both smokers and those around them. The global death toll indicates that over 8 million people die due to smoking each year, and approximately 65,000 children worldwide lose their lives before the age of 5 as a result of exposure to “secondhand smoke”. In Thailand, more than 80,000 lives each year are claimed by cigarettes and secondhand smoke. Of particular concern is the targeting of teenagers through the promotion of “vaping”, leaving children and adolescents vulnerable. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) among Thai youth in the year 2022, the prevalence of e-cigarettes among children and adolescents sharply increased from 3.3% in 2015 to 17.6% in 2022, marking a 5.3-fold increase. This finding aligns with the 2024 survey on e-cigarette usage among 152 primary school students in the central region. The survey revealed that up to 15% of fourth and fifth graders were encouraged to try e-cigarettes by family members. Additionally, 73% of students who had used e-cigarettes reported being persuaded by family, friends, and community members. “E-cigarettes” are easily accessible to children and adolescents as a result of “deceptions” stemming from the marketing strategies of the tobacco industry, particularly online advertisements, directly targeting and manipulating children and adolescents. This...
30 May 67
100
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