Health Without Boundaries

Abstract

'Sow in spring, grow through the summer, harvest in autumn, store in winter' reflects the ancient wisdom of the Chinese people, passed down for thousands of years. As this year comes to a close, this journal would like to pause to recognize that Taiwan's national health insurance system has been looking after and caring for the health of Taiwan's people for more than 20 years. What can we do to better follow global care trends and to perform better for public health in Taiwan? Many thanks to Director Wang of the Health Promotion Administration for introducing to readers the concept of 'health without boundaries' and examining Taiwan's future healthcare blueprint from a global perspective. In addition, under the influence of fast-changing medical technologies and rising life expectancies, the increase in the population with chronic diseases prompted Health Promotion Administration's Chronic Disease Division Chief Jia Shuli to provide a comprehensive description of his division's work, from developing chronic disease self-care regimens to developing follow-up control protocols. Professor Lin, with years of diabetes prevention, treatment and innovative experience, has also written an article for this issue that explains why health professionals should go beyond dealing with diseases in order to listen, cooperate with, and interact with patients in order to expand the adoption and effectiveness of diabetes self-management programs. Finally, Professor Guo's article stresses the importance of promoting a healthy environment by going beyond focusing on one's health to address the improvement of the overall environment in order to shape the urban health landscape and achieve A+ health quality. In these cold winter days, brew a pot of hot tea and let us taste together these rare journeys of wisdom.