On June 14, 2024, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, together with the Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, organized the ‘Thai Health Report Forum 2024’ at meeting room 201, Thai Health Promotion Foundation. The event aimed to present and exchange important health information and statistics with Thai Health Promotion Foundation and its partners. This year’s special topic was “Stress, the Silent Threat of Thai Society,” addressing the increasing stress levels and their significant social impact in the post-COVID-19 era.
The meeting was honored by Dr. Natthaphan Supaka, Director of the Office of Partner Development and International Relations and Acting Director of the Office of Academics and Innovation, Dr. Pairot Saonuam, Deputy Manager of Thai Health Promotion Foundation, opened the meeting, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chalermpol Chamchan, Director of the Institute for Population and Social Research and head of the Thai People’s Health Report Project 2024, introduced the Thai People’s Health Report.
The 2024 Indicators category presented interesting statistics on the topic “Digital Technology and Thai People’s Health,” featuring 11 indicators covering the use of technology in the daily lives of Thai people. These indicators reflect the integration of digital technology in health, public health, and education, and its role in promoting the health of Thai people. The data shows that digital technology is now embedded in every aspect of modern life.
Key findings highlight the significant role of internet usage across all age groups in Thailand, affecting health, public health systems, online health services, and health information services. The use of technology has also facilitated the work-from-home lifestyle and has been incorporated into education. There is a need to promote school internet access in each region while monitoring internet usage behavior. The proportion of Thai school-age children using the internet continues to rise, with a significant increase in primary school users aged 6-11 years, from 59.5 percent in 2018 to 59.6 percent in 2022. However, social media usage for learning remains low, with only 1 in 5 using it for this purpose. Most people of all ages use social media almost daily, spending an average of 7 hours and 4 minutes per day online. Alarmingly, data from the Gambling Problem Study Center found that nearly 9 out of 10 young people have seen advertisements or been invited to gamble online, with almost half expressing a desire to try it.
The report also highlighted ten outstanding situations of interest to society this year:
- Shootings and guidelines for controlling firearms.
- The problem of doctors resigning: what should be done?
- Two decades of the Gold Card: expanding benefits significantly.
- Online gambling: a trap for youth and young people.
- Accidents from large construction projects.
- International mafias committed to solving problems.
- Thai workers in the Middle East: balancing wealth and life stability.
- Air pollution killing 30,000 Thais per year: reclaiming the right to clean air.
- Transfer of Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital to Orbjong: background, problems, and challenges.
- Health Constitution No. 3: aiming for a fair health system.
Four notable health initiatives for Thai people this year include:
- Dr. Suwit Wibulpolprasert being named a World Health Hero.
- The World Health Organization honoring Professor Dr. Wichai Thianthaworn.
- The International Health Fund Network’s announcement of the Bangkok Declaration aiming for fair health.
- The Department of Health collaborating with online sellers to deliver health-promoting menus by reducing sweetness, oil, and saltiness.
The Thai People’s Health Report 2024 also presented a special issue on stress, the silent danger in Thai society. This section covered the definition of stress, its causes, impacts on health across different age groups, and coping strategies. For more information, you can read the full Thai Health Report and related articles at www.thaihealthreport.com.
For those interested, photos from the event are available on the following Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=IPSRMAHIDOLUNIVERSITY&set=a.934874711769939
