Taipei: The government pledged on Thursday to reduce standardized mortality rates for chronic diseases related to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol by one-third by 2030. In a presentation to a Presidential Office committee, Deputy Health Minister Chou Jih-haw emphasized that these chronic diseases are among the leading causes of death in Taiwan.
According to Focus Taiwan, Chou highlighted that heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, hypertensive disease, and kidney disease accounted for approximately 30 percent of the 62,000 deaths from chronic illnesses in 2023. The government aims to lower the standardized mortality rate for these diseases by one-third by the end of 2030, compared to 2025 levels.
Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) data from 2015 showed mortality rates of 81.8 per 100,000 population for heart disease, 47.6 for cerebrovascular disease, 40.6 for diabetes, 23.6 for hypertensive disease, and 20 for kidney disease. To achieve the reduction goal, Chou stated that the MOHW would continue to promote healthy diets and lifestyles through campaigns and ensure expanded screening programs are effectively implemented.
In a speech at the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee meeting, President Lai Ching-te stressed the necessity of public and private sector collaboration to combat chronic diseases. He noted the significant financial burden these diseases place on the healthcare system, with National Health Insurance coverage costing NT$170 billion (US$5.18 billion) annually.
The Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee is one of three advisory bodies established under the Presidential Office, alongside the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee and the National Climate Change Committee, serving as ad-hoc advisory bodies to the executive branch.