Tainan City has 53 community patrol squads, each with 12 members. These volunteer squads cooperate with the police force to ensure the community security. In Tainan's 232 Neighborhoods, there were 53 squads in 2004, and it is estimated to increase to 70 squads in 2005 and 110 squads in 2006. "Our research showed that the communities with patrol squads have criminal rate 5 times less than those without patrol squads," said Dr. Hu.

Calamity control and prevention

For natural disasters, Tainan City Government arranged training courses about the basic skills of first aid, such as CRP, and the correct usage of electricity and appliances. About 89,54 people have finished the training courses.

In 2001, Tainan City was the only city with debts over the regulated limit, 92.36% of its asset, but in 2005, the ratio is cut down to 66.56%. The key is its economic and industry development. In 2001, there were only 30 enterprises stationed in Tainan Industry Park, but as of July 2005, 176 enterprises stationed in the Industry Park. These enterprises drove the development of service industry. Within 3 years, about 1662 shops opened, the monthly average is 138.5 shops, which led to the lowest unemployment rate in Southern Taiwan.

The health issues include the prevention of epidemic diseases, the state of people's physical strength, and long term care. For the epidemic diseases, Tainan City Government formed a task force and worked with communities to hold public events to educate ways to prevent diseases. Many pharmacies also joined the task force to help with the cases. They regularly track the 380 T.B. patients in Tainan City and make sure these patients take their medicaiton.

Mental Health and Psychiatrics

It is estimated that in Tainan City, only 30% of the melancholia patients would visit doctors. Tainan City Health Bureau is planning to set up a mental health center in communities to provide long term care for these patients These community centers also provide service to the chronically ill patients, such as preliminary examinations and basic knowledge of self- care. These community health centers can work with the community patrol squads to form health care networks.

The elder population accounts for 7% of Tainan City population; chronic diseases and long- term health care are currently important issues. To address these issues, the Bureau of Health Promotion plans to start a long-term care service. For the middle- aged people, many public and private hospitals launched "Exercise Clinics," to promote exercise in community and workplace. "Helping people exercise is our ultimate goal. It is the foundation of health," said Lin Li- juan, a teacher at Cheng Kung University. The Tainan City Health Bureau also cooperates with Chef's Associations to promote "Healthy Diet Recipe."

Tobacco hazard control

Prohibition of smoking in public places has gained popularity among the Taiwanese, but in Tainan, 43% of the male population are smokers. Thus since 2004, Tainan City Health Bureau mandated 25 smoke- free workplaces, 68 free- smoke government organizations, 9 smoke-free parks, and more than 200 smoke- free restaurants. Other public places such as the airport, train station and schools are fully smoke- free. After three-year efforts, the smoking rate of male adults in Tainan has dramatically reduced to 37%.

Prospects of Healthy Cities

To expand the scope of the Healthy Cities Program, the Bureau of Health Promotion (BHP) endeavors to have a better cooperation between the government and academia. This year, BHP entrusted the promotion of the program to China Medical University, Tzu Chi University and National University of Kaohsiung in cooperation with Miaoli County, Hualien County and Kaohsiung City. With the participation of communities and academia, governments could form better health promotion policies.

BHP also appointed Dr. Hu to evaluate the Healthy Cities Program. In the near future, she will help establish the Taiwan Healthy Cities Alliance as a platform for cities and counties to exchange experiences.