The conference program on March 22, 2023 (Wednesday) brought together healthcare professionals and policymakers from across APEC economies to explore community-based integrated care models for non-communicable diseases. The agenda featured a keynote speech and three focused sessions, each addressing distinct aspects of NCD prevention and management.
Conference Schedule
| Time | Session | Speaker / Moderator |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Registration & Welcome | — |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | Keynote Speech Community-based NCD Integrated Care: Challenges and Opportunities |
Prof. Chan Juliana Chung Ngor The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee Break | — |
| 10:45 – 12:00 | Session 1 Models of Comprehensive Care in NCDs — Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease |
Prof. Chin-Hsiao Tseng Prof. Masafumi Kitakaze |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch Break | — |
| 13:00 – 14:15 | Session 2 Integrated Management Strategies for Chronic NCDs |
Prof. Shingo Fukuma Dr. Chao-Chun Wu Dr. Hsing-Yi Chang |
| 14:15 – 14:30 | Coffee Break | — |
| 14:30 – 15:45 | Session 3 Community-based Approaches and Policy Directions |
Dr. Chun-Ying Lee |
| 15:45 – 16:00 | Closing Remarks | Prof. Yue-Chune Lee National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) |
The conference was held in a hybrid format, with both in-person attendance at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation International Conference Center (Room 801) and virtual participation available. All times are in Taipei local time (UTC+8).
Session Themes
The three sessions covered complementary dimensions of NCD integrated care:
- Session 1 examined comprehensive care models for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlighting evidence-based approaches from multiple APEC economies.
- Session 2 focused on integrated management strategies for chronic NCDs, addressing coordination across primary care and community settings.
- Session 3 explored community-based policy directions and practical implementation pathways for NCD prevention programs.
Presentation slides from the keynote and all sessions are available on the Download page. Full speaker profiles can be found on the Speakers page.
The APEC Conference on Promoting Community-based Non-Communicable Diseases Integrated Care Model convened experts and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific region to address the growing burden of chronic conditions. As populations age and lifestyles shift, the demand for comprehensive, community-centered approaches to NCD prevention and management has never been more urgent. The conference served as a platform for sharing innovative strategies that bridge primary care with local community resources, emphasizing the importance of early detection, sustained treatment, and patient empowerment in reducing the impact of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.
Community-based integrated care models represent a paradigm shift in how health systems respond to non-communicable diseases. Rather than relying solely on hospital-based interventions, these approaches bring prevention and management services directly into neighborhoods and local clinics. By coordinating care across multiple providers and engaging community health workers, such models improve accessibility and continuity of treatment. The conference highlighted successful implementations from various APEC economies, demonstrating how culturally adapted programs can enhance patient outcomes while reducing the long-term burden on healthcare systems, particularly in underserved and aging populations.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vulnerability of individuals living with chronic diseases and accelerated the need for resilient, decentralized healthcare delivery. In response, APEC economies have proposed and tested diversified strategies that leverage digital health tools, telemedicine, and community partnerships to maintain essential NCD services during disruptions. Conference discussions explored how these innovations can be sustained beyond the pandemic, creating more adaptable health systems that are better equipped to handle future public health emergencies while continuing to address the ongoing epidemic of non-communicable diseases across the region.
Knowledge exchange among participating economies was a central pillar of the conference, with sessions designed to facilitate sharing of best practices and evidence-based interventions. Healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers presented case studies and research findings that illustrated effective approaches to NCD prevention, screening, and long-term care management. These collaborative dialogues helped identify common challenges faced by APEC member economies, such as workforce capacity building, data integration across care settings, and the need for sustainable financing mechanisms to support community-based programs over the long term.
Enhancing regional cooperation and building local capacity emerged as key priorities throughout the conference proceedings. By strengthening relationships among APEC economies, the event aimed to create a lasting network for ongoing collaboration in NCD prevention and control. Participants recognized that no single economy can address the complex challenges of chronic diseases alone, and that shared learning and mutual support are essential for developing effective, scalable solutions. The conference laid groundwork for future initiatives that will continue to promote integrated, community-based care models tailored to the diverse needs of populations across the Asia-Pacific region.