Abstract
Strategies for health promotion in Taiwan were developed based on the Ottawa Charter for Health
Promotion. The main health projects are broadly implemented in hospitals and health stations in communities
as well as in cities, schools, and workplaces. Health projects that are related to infants and young
children include the newborn screening program for 11 genetic metabolic disorders, child health check-up
preventive services, vaccination services, early detection and reporting of children with retarded development,
and management of rare diseases. At birth, every newborn is screened for 11 common genetic metabolic
disorders. An infant who has any of these metabolic disorders would be sent for further diagnosis,
treatment and monitoring. Expenses related to medication and nutrition supplements are supported by
the National Health Insurance system as specified under the conditions of the Rare Disease and Orphan
Drug Act. Moreover, the early intervention service (EIS) for children with developmental delay is an integrated and inter-discipline service. The implementation of screening and prevention of developmental
delay is started from antenatal period and continued to the age of seven years old. Suspected cases of
children with developmental delay will be referred to special health centers for further investigation and
treatment. The immunization coverage rate is as high as 95 percent due to an efficient national immunization
information system. Taiwan is also the first nation that uses a “stool color card” in a well child visit
book. The screening helps with the early detection and treatment of infants with biliary atresia.
In conclusion, health promotion policies in Taiwan aim at increasing birth rates, providing early
screening, and maximizing the child’s potential development. However, most references in this review
were from the government, a situation which may reflect only favorable aspects of public health policies.
