今早為Asian Medical Students Association Hong Kong (AMSAHK)的新一屆執行委員會就職典禮作致詞分享嘉賓，題目為「疫情中的健康不公平」。
感謝他們的熱情款待以及為整段致詞拍了影片。以下我附上致詞的英文原稿：

It's been my honor to be invited to give the closing remarks for the Inauguration Ceremony for the incoming executive committee of the Asian Medical Students' Association Hong Kong (AMSAHK) this morning. A video has been taken for the remarks I made regarding health inequalities during the COVID-19 pandemic (big thanks to the student who withstood the soreness of her arm for holding the camera up for 15 minutes straight), and here's the transcript of the main body of the speech that goes with this video:

//The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, continues to be rampant around the world since early 2020, resulting in more than 55 million cases and 1.3 million deaths worldwide as of today. (So no! It’s not a hoax for those conspiracy theorists out there!) A higher rate of incidence and deaths, as well as worse health-related quality of life have been widely observed in the socially disadvantaged groups, including people of lower socioeconomic position, older persons, migrants, ethnic minority and communities of color, etc. While epidemiologists and scientists around the world are dedicated in gathering scientific evidence on the specific causes and determinants of the health inequalities observed in different countries and regions, we can apply the Social Determinants of Health Conceptual Framework developed by the World Health Organization team led by the eminent Prof Sir Michael Marmot, world’s leading social epidemiologist, to understand and delineate these social determinants of health inequalities related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to this framework, social determinants of health can be largely categorized into two types – 1) the lower stream, intermediary determinants, and 2) the upper stream, structural and macro-environmental determinants. For the COVID-19 pandemic, we realized that the lower stream factors may include material circumstances, such as people’s living and working conditions. For instance, the nature of the occupations of these people of lower socioeconomic position tends to require them to travel outside to work, i.e., they cannot work from home, which is a luxury for people who can afford to do it. This lack of choice in the location of occupation may expose them to greater risk of infection through more transportation and interactions with strangers. We have also seen infection clusters among crowded places like elderly homes, public housing estates, and boarding houses for foreign domestic helpers. Moreover, these socially disadvantaged people tend to have lower financial and social capital – it can be observed that they were more likely to be deprived of personal protective equipment like face masks and hand sanitizers, especially during the earlier days of the pandemic. On the other hand, the upper stream, structural determinants of health may include policies related to public health, education, macroeconomics, social protection and welfare, as well as our governance… and last, but not least, our culture and values. If the socioeconomic and political contexts are not favorable to the socially disadvantaged, their health and well-being will be disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Therefore, if we, as a society, espouse to address and reduce the problem of health inequalities, social determinants of health cannot be overlooked in devising and designing any public health-related strategies, measures and policies.

Although a higher rate of incidence and deaths have been widely observed in the socially disadvantaged groups, especially in countries with severe COVID-19 outbreaks, this phenomenon seems to be less discussed and less covered by media in Hong Kong, where the disease incidence is relatively low when compared with other countries around the world. Before the resurgence of local cases in early July, local spread of COVID-19 was sporadic and most cases were imported. In the earlier days of the pandemic, most cases were primarily imported by travelers and return-students studying overseas, leading to a minor surge between mid-March and mid-April of 874 new cases. Most of these cases during Spring were people who could afford to travel and study abroad, and thus tended to be more well-off. Therefore, some would say the expected social gradient in health impact did not seem to exist in Hong Kong, but may I remind you that, it is only the case when we focus on COVID-19-specific incidence and mortality alone. But can we really deduce from this that COVID-19-related health inequality does not exist in Hong Kong? According to the Social Determinants of Health Framework mentioned earlier, the obvious answer is “No, of course not.” And here’s why…

In addition to the direct disease burden, the COVID-19 outbreak and its associated containment measures (such as economic lockdown, mandatory social distancing, and change of work arrangements) could have unequal wider socioeconomic impacts on the general population, especially in regions with pervasive existing social inequalities. Given the limited resources and capacity of the socioeconomically disadvantaged to respond to emergency and adverse events, their general health and well-being are likely to be unduly and inordinately affected by the abrupt changes in their daily economic and social conditions, like job loss and insecurity, brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak and the corresponding containment and mitigation measures of which the main purpose was supposedly disease prevention and health protection at the first place. As such, focusing only on COVID-19 incidence or mortality as the outcomes of concern to address health inequalities may leave out important aspects of life that contributes significantly to people’s health. Recently, my research team and I collaborated with Sir Michael Marmot in a Hong Kong study, and found that the poor people in Hong Kong fared worse in every aspects of life than their richer counterparts in terms of economic activity, personal protective equipment, personal hygiene practice, as well as well-being and health after the COVID-19 outbreak. We also found that part of the observed health inequality can be attributed to the pandemic and its related containment measures via people’s concerns over their own and their families’ livelihood and economic activity. In other words, health inequalities were contributed by the pandemic even in a city where incidence is relatively low through other social determinants of health that directly concerned the livelihood and economic activity of the people. So in this study, we confirmed that focusing only on the incident and death cases as the outcomes of concern to address health inequalities is like a story half-told, and would severely truncate and distort the reality.

Truth be told, health inequality does not only appear after the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19, it is a pre-existing condition in countries and regions around the world, including Hong Kong. My research over the years have consistently shown that people in lower socioeconomic position tend to have worse physical and mental health status. Nevertheless, precisely because health inequality is nothing new, there are always voices in our society trying to dismiss the problem, arguing that it is only natural to have wealth inequality in any capitalistic society. However, in reckoning with health inequalities, we need to go beyond just figuring out the disparities or differences in health status between the poor and the rich, and we need to raise an ethically relevant question: are these inequalities, disparities and differences remediable? Can they be fixed? Can we do something about them? If they are remediable, and we can do something about them but we haven’t, then we’d say these inequalities are ultimately unjust and unfair. In other words, a society that prides itself in pursuing justice must, and I say must, strive to address and reduce these unfair health inequalities. Borrowing the words from famed sociologist Judith Butler, “the virus alone does not discriminate,” but “social and economic inequality will make sure that it does.” With COVID-19, we learn that it is not only the individuals who are sick, but our society. And it’s time we do something about it.

Thank you very much!//

Please join me in congratulating the incoming executive committee of AMSAHK and giving them the best wishes for their future endeavor!

Roger Chung, PhD
Assistant Professor, CUHK JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, @CUHK Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong 香港中文大學 - CUHK
Associate Director, CUHK Institute of Health Equity

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非常感謝這段時間眾多朋友的大力協助，才能促成我完成這件事，也非常感激IAABC的執行長—Marjie Alonso願意給我們這個機會，讓我們未來能把IAABC更多正確、有系統的動物行為知識及教育活動帶進台灣，讓台灣在亞洲有機會成為一個動物福利的指標國家。

在動物行為的相關議題當中，IAABC不只極具公信力及影響力，更在各國都培訓出許多優秀的動物工作者。自從我在2013年加入IAABC，並同時獲得該組織CCBC的認證後，我在獸醫的工作便轉型為專業的貓行為諮詢醫師，這項工作有別於一般的獸醫臨床門診及寵物訓練。在我面對貓的行為問題時，必須以醫學及行為科學為背景，才能細膩地去釐清問題背後的癥結點，並有效地去解決問題。隨著時間過去，我發現自己能做的事情還是非常有限。

除了法律，真正要能有效預防並解決不當的對待及虐待，就是透過正確的教育。唯有透過教育，才能真的解決人與動物之間的問題；唯有正確的知識，也才能真的提升動物的福利水平。

隨著IAABC Taiwan Division的成立，目前第一階段的規劃是，IAABC官網會為台灣民眾開立一區以繁體中文為主的專屬頁面及臉書粉絲專頁，在上面跟大家同步分享最新的動物行為知識及相關活動，有興趣的朋友可以密切注意本粉絲團動態，或是到IAABC的官網逛逛。

A big thank you to all those who worked to make today possible, and my sincere gratitude to IAABC Executive Director, Marjie Alonso, who gave us this unique opportunity to introduce scientific and systematic knowledge about animal behavior and corresponding educational system into Taiwan, enabling us to be a front runner in animal welfare among Asian countries.

In the field of animal behavior, the IAABC is not only widely renowned but also highly influential, with numerous animal consultants trained worldwide. Since personally joining the IAABC in 2013, I received CCBC certification, and it later turned my veterinary practice into full-time cat behavior consulting. This new task is beyond the scope of conventional clinical veterinary medicine or pet training, as an array of general medicine and behavior science is also needed. But even with all that, you still have to be subtle and considerate to identify a cause and possibly find a solution. That’s why the more I did it, the more I felt lacking.

Besides law, the true solution to mistreatment and abuse of animals still lies in education. Only through proper education, we can know how to co-exist with animals in harmony, and only genuine knowledge can bring about greater level of animal welfare.

The first initiative of IAABC Taiwan Division is to build a Mandarin section on IAABC website dedicated to Taiwanese viewers and a Facebook Fan Page, where the latest knowledge about animal behavior and event feeds can be found. Please press Like and follow the news feed. And don’t forget to visit IAABC website.

IAABC 官方網站：https://iaabc.org/

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非常感謝這段時間眾多朋友的大力協助，才能促成我完成這件事，也非常感激IAABC的執行長—Marjie Alonso願意給我們這個機會，讓我們未來能把IAABC更多正確、有系統的動物行為知識及教育活動帶進台灣，讓台灣在亞洲有機會成為一個動物福利的指標國家。

在動物行為的相關議題當中，IAABC不只極具公信力及影響力，更在各國都培訓出許多優秀的動物工作者。自從我在2013年加入IAABC，並同時獲得該組織CCBC的認證後，我在獸醫的工作便轉型為專業的貓行為諮詢醫師，這項工作有別於一般的獸醫臨床門診及寵物訓練。在我面對貓的行為問題時，必須以醫學及行為科學為背景，才能細膩地去釐清問題背後的癥結點，並有效地去解決問題。隨著時間過去，我發現自己能做的事情還是非常有限。

除了法律，真正要能有效預防並解決不當的對待及虐待，就是透過正確的教育。唯有透過教育，才能真的解決人與動物之間的問題；唯有正確的知識，也才能真的提升動物的福利水平。

隨著IAABC Taiwan Division的成立，目前第一階段的規劃是，IAABC官網會為台灣民眾開立一區以繁體中文為主的專屬頁面及臉書粉絲專頁，在上面跟大家同步分享最新的動物行為知識及相關活動，有興趣的朋友可以密切注意本粉絲團動態，或是到IAABC的官網逛逛。

A big thank you to all those who worked to make today possible, and my sincere gratitude to IAABC Executive Director, Marjie Alonso, who gave us this unique opportunity to introduce scientific and systematic knowledge about animal behavior and corresponding educational system into Taiwan, enabling us to be a front runner in animal welfare among Asian countries.

In the field of animal behavior, the IAABC is not only widely renowned but also highly influential, with numerous animal consultants trained worldwide. Since personally joining the IAABC in 2013, I received CCBC certification, and it later turned my veterinary practice into full-time cat behavior consulting. This new task is beyond the scope of conventional clinical veterinary medicine or pet training, as an array of general medicine and behavior science is also needed. But even with all that, you still have to be subtle and considerate to identify a cause and possibly find a solution. That’s why the more I did it, the more I felt lacking.

Besides law, the true solution to mistreatment and abuse of animals still lies in education. Only through proper education, we can know how to co-exist with animals in harmony, and only genuine knowledge can bring about greater level of animal welfare.

The first initiative of IAABC Taiwan Division is to build a Mandarin section on IAABC website dedicated to Taiwanese viewers and a Facebook Fan Page, where the latest knowledge about animal behavior and event feeds can be found. Please press Like and follow the news feed. And don’t forget to visit IAABC website.

IAABC官方網站：https://iaabc.org/

你的小朋友喜歡各樣的食物嗎？

在這段學習影片,我們會展示各種的TOMY Tomica食物車的模型, 讀出它們的英文和中文名稱，以及配上汽車的聲音。
所以你的小朋友看完影片後，便可以分辨出不同食物的外表，英文和中文名稱。


整段影片的教學過程有別於一般的「這是什麼」「那是什麼」的沉悶教學方法。我們把汽車擺放得就像小朋友平時玩玩具的時候一樣，
再加上特別汽車聲音，讓小朋友對這些玩具產生興趣，自然地注意力和集中力便有力，從而很快便學懂了交通工具的名稱。

不少家長告訴我們，他們的小朋友不單很喜歡看我們的影片，而且很快便學懂了不同交通工具的名稱和讀音，這點我們是感到很鼓舞的！

我們希望你的小朋友能夠享受這段學習影片、學懂不同交通工具的名稱、就像我家的小朋友一樣！

如果你們想看我們更多的學習影片的話，請
-「訂閱」我們的youtube頻道
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdFdlixR5K4HiONkmcZs64w?sub_confirmation=1


What is your kid favorite food? Do they know how to pronounce the food names and do they know different type of food truck?

Let’s learn all about the common food , food truck and food adjectives for kid with TOMY tomica 2015 food truck toy.

In this video, we will show different type of food trucks and corresponding real food, pronounce the food names. So your kid will not only able to identify the food, but also the food truck.

And this video is also suitable for someone who wants to learn Cantonese as second language.
-請「按讚」like 和 「分享」這段影片給你的朋友和其他小朋友、例如facebook, whatsapp, tweeter, google+....etc

學習動物名稱和聲音的播放清單:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwLmWfV_FjAkSD723YfwpUZDeU93I32nc
學習汔車和交通具的播放清單︰
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDQjcD7DJPwkk7wqGzd0qV9XCc8PTndDM
學習水果和蔬菜的播放清單︰
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDQjcD7DJPwkcfWoKnQXBvpvTriMF5L7i
學習數目字的播放清單:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDQjcD7DJPwk05uDW8MNPGdIrY8tHvNz5
學習顏色和其他的播放清單︰
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7beLfQ1T7T8&list=PLwLmWfV_FjAlgH38aIiBz9qBkEqNxxtBB

你的小朋友喜歡各樣的食物嗎？

在這段學習影片,我們會展示各種的TOMY Tomica食物車的模型, 讀出它們的英文和中文名稱，以及配上汽車的聲音。
所以你的小朋友看完影片後，便可以分辨出不同食物的外表，英文和中文名稱。


這影片包括以下食物車︰
bakery truck, fries truck,hamburger truck,icecream truck, kebab truck,m&m truck,noodle truck,
麵包車,薯條車,漢堡包車,雪糕車,串燒車,拉麵車

整段影片的教學過程有別於一般的「這是什麼」「那是什麼」的沉悶教學方法。我們把汽車擺放得就像小朋友平時玩玩具的時候一樣，
再加上特別汽車聲音，讓小朋友對這些玩具產生興趣，自然地注意力和集中力便有力，從而很快便學懂了交通工具的名稱。

不少家長告訴我們，他們的小朋友不單很喜歡看我們的影片，而且很快便學懂了不同交通工具的名稱和讀音，這點我們是感到很鼓舞的！

我們希望你的小朋友能夠享受這段學習影片、學懂不同交通工具的名稱、就像我家的小朋友一樣！

如果你們想看我們更多的學習影片的話，請
-「訂閱」我們的youtube頻道
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdFdlixR5K4HiONkmcZs64w?sub_confirmation=1


What is your kid favorite food? Do they know how to pronounce the food names and do they know different type of food truck?

Let’s learn all about the common food , food truck and food adjectives for kid with TOMY tomica 2015 food truck toy.

In this video, we will show different type of food trucks and corresponding real food, pronounce the food names. So your kid will not only able to identify the food, but also the food truck.

And this video is also suitable for someone who wants to learn Cantonese as second language.
-請「按讚」like 和 「分享」這段影片給你的朋友和其他小朋友、例如facebook, whatsapp, tweeter, google+....etc

學習動物名稱和聲音的播放清單:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwLmWfV_FjAkSD723YfwpUZDeU93I32nc
學習汔車和交通具的播放清單︰
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDQjcD7DJPwkk7wqGzd0qV9XCc8PTndDM
學習水果和蔬菜的播放清單︰
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDQjcD7DJPwkcfWoKnQXBvpvTriMF5L7i
學習數目字的播放清單:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDQjcD7DJPwk05uDW8MNPGdIrY8tHvNz5
學習顏色和其他的播放清單︰
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7beLfQ1T7T8&list=PLwLmWfV_FjAlgH38aIiBz9qBkEqNxxtBB