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John Nguyet Erni, The Education University of Hong Kong, ChinaAbstract
In Hong Kong, community engagement in health management has surged, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has generated a wealth of health information, reshaping cultural meanings of “good health,” resilience, and community well-being. Vibrant discussions about health, both online and offline, have created a unique public health culture that often relies on word-of-mouth knowledge alongside traditional medical establishments. Amidst this evolving landscape, the Hong Kong government's Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government introduced the Primary Healthcare Blueprint in 2023, emphasizing a crucial shift from a treatment-oriented to a prevention-oriented mindset. This initiative aims to enhance community involvement and empower citizens in managing their health. This study employs a critical health-humanities approach to explore “citizen self-health,” which includes community deliberation and sharing of health information. We conducted focus group discussions with four diverse groups—young adults, the elderly, mothers/housewives, and ethnic minorities—to examine the value, risks, and sustainability of grassroots health discourses. Our findings reveal that personal networks, especially friends and family, are vital sources of health information, though trust levels and preferred sources vary widely, from community recommendations to digital platforms. While there is appreciation for Hong Kong's public health system—highlighting personalized care for mothers, community support for ethnic minorities, affordability for the elderly, and technological advancements for youth—challenges persist, including overwhelmed providers and inequitable access. This pilot study underscores the importance of empowering individuals and communities through a citizen health approach, enhancing healthcare engagement and equity in Hong Kong.
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Conference: ACCS2025Stream: Cultural Studies
This paper is part of the ACCS2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Erni J. (2025) From Patients to Partners: Citizen Engagement in Hong Kong’s Carescape ISSN: 2187-4751 – The Asian Conference on Cultural Studies 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 323-337) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4751.2025.27
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2187-4751.2025.27
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