Wan Chai workers feeling the strain
Commuters in a worse mental state than residents, district council's study finds
It may have a reputation for fun after dark, but those who live, work and study in Wan Chai suffer from a range of psychological problems, with stress foremost among them.
And the picture was worse for the 600,000 people who lived in other districts but commuted to the bustling commercial area than for the 160,000 local residents, a study commissioned by Wan Chai District Council found. They scored significantly lower on a World Health Organisation index of physical and mental health than people who lived in Wan Chai.
Council members said the findings cast doubt on a government policy which required district councils to give residents priority when allocating resources, rather than meeting the needs of those who work or study there.
"We need to focus on the mental health of the mobile working population in our district," said Suen Kai-cheong, chairman of the district council. "They appear to be concerned about the air quality, noise and traffic congestion problems in Wan Chai. We need to put this into consideration when it comes to urban planning."
Suen said the council would consider organising lunchtime talks on relieving stress.
Researchers from Baptist University's Centre for the Advancement of Social Sciences Research questioned 800 people between June and August, of whom 400 were residents, 300 were commuters and 100 were students living elsewhere.
