Toxic Smog Makes Case for Health Insurance in Hong Kong

In recent days it has been extremely hard to miss the pervasive smog which is engulfing our city. The South China Morning Post reported on November 13 2018 that in some areas of Hong Kong, especially in the New Territories at Tuen Mun and Yeun Long, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) registered 10+ on the scale.

This represents the highest level of air particulates and is considered to be a “Serious Health Hazard” according to the Environmental Protection Department.

Unfortunately, pollution is a fact of life in Hong Kong, and many of us have learned to simply carry on with our lives in the face of itchy eyes and scratchy throats. <

The government attributes the decrease in local air quality to a lack of air circulation, as reported by the SCMP. While this situation will improve next week as wetter weather arrives, Hong Kong is prone to experiencing strong anticyclones during the winter, and if a lack of air circulation is the root cause of the pollution (never mind the particulate output from Chinese factories which seems impossible to deal with) then we can expect more days and weeks like this one.

Hong Kong Pollution and Your Health

Air Pollution is possibly the biggest public health crisis facing Hong Kong today. The decision to go outside (and sometimes it doesn’t even matter if you’re even outside) is literally life or death.

To help you understand how bad this really is, we will be illustrating some of the common health impacts of air pollution:

High Air Pollution Levels Cause:

• Increased risk of developing Cardio-Respiratory Diseases; such as Asthma
• Increased stress on lungs and heart; higher chances of heart attack
• Damaged Respiratory System Cells; higher chance of developing cancer

Long Term Exposure to Air Pollution will Cause

• Accelerated aging of the lungs
• Loss of lung capacity and function
• Development of diseases such as Emphysema, Bronchitis, Asthma, and even Cancer
• Shortened life expectancy

What Pollution is really doing and why you’re at risk

It wasn’t so long ago that Hong Kong banned indoor tobacco use in bars and other public places. The reasoning was that second-hand smoke is bad for your health. Unfortunately, simply living in Hong Kong on our, increasingly regular, high pollution days, is akin to being a pack-a-day smoker.

This is especially bad if you are part of an at-risk section of society. Individuals who will be most impacted by high air pollution levels, and those who will suffer the worst consequences include:

• People with existing Cardio-Respiratory Conditions
• Pregnant Women
• Children
• Seniors
• Outdoor Workers
• Athletes who regularly exercise outside

There is simply no way to avoid the problem. The conditions in the city exacerbate the pollution issue; buildings blocking air circulation, diesel buses and mini buses with smokey exhausts, seasonal offering fires, and the dreaded cross-border factory output... It all creates a perfect storm of long-term health risk.

Protecting Yourself from Pollution-Related Health Conditions in Hong Kong

Air Pollution is one of the biggest killers in the world – although that fact isn’t often highlighted. It is estimated that roughly 1 in 9 deaths in the world can be attributed to air pollution related causes.

We weren’t joking when we said simply living in Hong Kong can be like smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Even if you don’t actually smoke.

The sad truth is that many of the health impacts of air pollution are chronic, and can last for the rest of your life. And if the condition isn’t chronic, it could very well be life threatening.

Because air pollution is such a danger to the health of people living in Hong Kong, and because it is associated with the development of conditions like Lung Cancer, Heart Attack, Asthma, Emphysema, COPD, Bronchitis, Strokes, and decreased brain development in children, not taking steps to mitigate your pollution-related risks in Hong Kong can be foolhardy.

CCW Global Ltd offers comprehensive Hong Kong health insurance and international health insurance plans which will provide coverage against the costs of medical treatment for pollution-related health conditions with leading private hospitals and doctors worldwide.

These plans can be tailored to meet your needs, and can travel with you should you relocate to another part of the world.

This is important because the health effects of pollution can be long-term and last the entirety of a person’s life – chronic Asthma, for example, will usually require lifetime management and medication. With an international health insurance plan you are able to retain a single policy for life, no matter where you may be in the world, giving you the assurance that any negative health impact from your time in Hong Kong will be covered.

Protect Your Health With Hong Kong Health Insurance

Walking outside on a very polluted Hong Kong winter day, when your eyes start to water and your throat starts to hurt, when you feel the itchiness of the ultra-fine particulate matter on your skin, when it seems like a labour of effort to simply be active, these are clear health warning signs that things are not alright.

Days like this are becoming more common, and common sense (let alone all of the scientific literature) says that living like this isn’t healthy.

If you’re concerned about the possible long-term health consequences of air pollution, and want to ensure that you’re protected should the worst happen in the future, please contact CCW Global and speak to an expert broker today. Alternatively, you can submit the short form at the top of this page and one of our advisors will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your needs.