Intercepting Chronic Diseases with 'Non-Pharmacological Prescriptions': 3 Taipei Districts Take the Lead
Taipei Medical Association launched a 'non-pharmacological prescription' program targeting those over 30 to combat chronic diseases through lifestyle changes. Participants get free consultations and a NT$400 gift card upon completion.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 14:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 14:31 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 22:03 (7h 31m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 22nd) Half of all chronic diseases are linked to poor lifestyle habits. Taipei City is promoting non-pharmacological prescriptions focusing on healthy living, targeting people over 30, and emphasizing that breaking bad habits is more important than treatment. Citizens can participate without paying registration fees and will receive a NT$400 gift card upon completion.
In response to the national 'Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan' policy, the Taipei Medical Association announced today the launch of the 'Taipei City Chronic Disease Prevention Holistic Health Smart Care Plan.' Supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, it breaks the medical framework of 'only seeing patients for illnesses,' extending medical behavior into daily life. Primary care doctors issue four major non-pharmacological prescriptions—exercise, nutrition, social, and emotional adjustment—and refer patients to community resources for in-depth health management.
Hung Te-jen, chairman of the Taipei Medical Association, stated in a media interview before the event that among Taiwan's top 10 causes of death, over 60% are closely related to lifestyle. Of the four factors affecting health, medical technology accounts for only 10%, genetics and environment 20% each, and the remaining 50% 'depends entirely on how you live your life.'
Past medical policies mostly focused on 'treatment after falling ill.' Hung Te-jen said that now they must move forward, cooperating with primary care clinics to promote non-pharmacological prescriptions, integrating community health centers and universities. The goal is for doctors to diagnose bad habits in daily life and use professional guidance to help people integrate exercise, diet, and stress management into their routines, while allowing large hospitals to focus on acute and severe cases.
This plan has already kicked off in Taipei's Beitou District, with about 20 clinics participating. So far, 3,600 prescriptions have been issued, with a 25% execution rate. Following this, about 20 clinics in Shilin and Zhongshan districts will officially join the service on May 1st. The goal is to issue 46,000 prescriptions by the end of the year, with plans to expand to all 12 administrative districts in Taipei over the next five years.
Hung Te-jen said that to increase the incentive for public participation, the plan offers tangible rewards. People participating at contracted clinics are 'exempt from registration fees' and require absolutely no co-payment. As long as they complete the prescribed activities, they can return to the original clinic to receive a gift card worth NT$400.
Tsai Ping-hsun, a practicing physician deeply rooted in the Beitou area for years, stated that the most common issue on the front lines is that people get a prescription but don't know how to get help. By integrating national and local resources, once people get a prescription at a participating clinic, they receive referral advice. Community doctors often play the role of family doctors; with an introduction from a community doctor, people feel more at ease when seeking services from community colleges or nutritionists. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150422
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(CNA Reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 22nd) Half of all chronic diseases are linked to poor lifestyle habits. Taipei City is promoting non-pharmacological prescriptions focusing on healthy living, targeting people over 30, and emphasizing that breaking bad habits is more important than treatment. Citizens can participate without paying registration fees and will receive a NT$400 gift card upon completion.
In response to the national 'Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan' policy, the Taipei Medical Association announced today the launch of the 'Taipei City Chronic Disease Prevention Holistic Health Smart Care Plan.' Supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, it breaks the medical framework of 'only seeing patients for illnesses,' extending medical behavior into daily life. Primary care doctors issue four major non-pharmacological prescriptions—exercise, nutrition, social, and emotional adjustment—and refer patients to community resources for in-depth health management.
Hung Te-jen, chairman of the Taipei Medical Association, stated in a media interview before the event that among Taiwan's top 10 causes of death, over 60% are closely related to lifestyle. Of the four factors affecting health, medical technology accounts for only 10%, genetics and environment 20% each, and the remaining 50% 'depends entirely on how you live your life.'
Past medical policies mostly focused on 'treatment after falling ill.' Hung Te-jen said that now they must move forward, cooperating with primary care clinics to promote non-pharmacological prescriptions, integrating community health centers and universities. The goal is for doctors to diagnose bad habits in daily life and use professional guidance to help people integrate exercise, diet, and stress management into their routines, while allowing large hospitals to focus on acute and severe cases.
This plan has already kicked off in Taipei's Beitou District, with about 20 clinics participating. So far, 3,600 prescriptions have been issued, with a 25% execution rate. Following this, about 20 clinics in Shilin and Zhongshan districts will officially join the service on May 1st. The goal is to issue 46,000 prescriptions by the end of the year, with plans to expand to all 12 administrative districts in Taipei over the next five years.
Hung Te-jen said that to increase the incentive for public participation, the plan offers tangible rewards. People participating at contracted clinics are 'exempt from registration fees' and require absolutely no co-payment. As long as they complete the prescribed activities, they can return to the original clinic to receive a gift card worth NT$400.
Tsai Ping-hsun, a practicing physician deeply rooted in the Beitou area for years, stated that the most common issue on the front lines is that people get a prescription but don't know how to get help. By integrating national and local resources, once people get a prescription at a participating clinic, they receive referral advice. Community doctors often play the role of family doctors; with an introduction from a community doctor, people feel more at ease when seeking services from community colleges or nutritionists. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150422
Stand with the facts; every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First Hand News' APP for immediate updates.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.