TAN Sok Teng
Sok Teng is a former humanitarian worker who now serves as a dedicated researcher and lecturer at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and NUS College. She recently earned her PhD in Public Health from NUS, focusing on the impact of oppression and structural violence on the health management capabilities of Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. Her current research and teaching emphasize community participation and community-led initiatives for health equity.
Before pursuing her doctorate, Sok Teng worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, where she actively engaged with refugees in health, livelihoods, and community empowerment. She is a Senior Fellow at The Equity Initiative and an Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity in Southeast Asia. Sok Teng is committed to inspiring and mobilizing the younger generation to create positive impacts for disadvantaged populations.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Sok Teng is a mother to a preschooler. She loves baking bread and finds it therapeutic.
Affiliation
- NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health
- NUS-College (Primary)
Research Areas
- Social determinants of health
- Health literacy
- Social capital
- Qualitative research
- Community-participatory method
- Community-led initiative
Teaching Areas
- Global health
- Social determinants of health
- Health in marginalized communities
Academic/Professional Qualifications
- PhD in Public Health (2023), National University of Singapore
- Global Health and noncommunicable diseases (2017), University of Edinburgh
- Nutrition and Community Health (2007), Universiti Putra Malaysia
Career History
- Lecturer, NUS-College (2024 – present)
- Lecturer, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (2024 – present)
- Research Associate, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (2017 – 2018)
- Livelihoods/Programme Associate, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2013 – 2016)
- Senior Resettlement Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (2010- 2013)
Selected Publications
- Tan, S.T., Low, P.T.A., Howard, N. and Yi, H., 2021. Social capital in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases among migrants and refugees: a systematic review and meta-ethnography. BMJ global health, 6(12), p.e006828.
- Lim, J.T., Maung, K., Tan, S.T., Ong, S.E., Lim, J.M., Koo, J.R., Sun, H., Park, M., Tan, K.W., Yoong, J. and Cook, A.R., 2021. Estimating direct and spill-over impacts of political elections on COVID-19 transmission using synthetic control methods. PLoS computational biology, 17(5), p.e1008959.
- Singh, S.R., Chua, A.Q., Tan, S.T., Tam, C.C., Hsu, L.Y. & Legido-Quigley, H. (2019). Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in Singapore: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Policy Context, Challenges, Facilitators, and Proposed Strategies. Antibiotics. [Online]. 8 (4). p.p. 201. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics8040201.
- Legido-Quigley, H., Pocock, N., Tan, S.T., Pajin, L., Suphanchaimat, R., Wickramage, K., McKee, M. and Pottie, K., 2019. Healthcare is not universal if undocumented migrants are excluded. BMJ, 366, p.l4160.
- Chuah, FLH., Tan, S.T., Yeo, J., Legido-Quigley, H. 2019. Health Systems Responses to the Health Needs of Refugees and Asylum-seekers in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16 (9), 1584 – 1604
- Tan, S.T., Quek, R.Y.C., Haldane, V., Koh, J.J.K., Han, E.K.L, Ong, S.E., Chuah, F.L.H., Legido-Quigley, H. 2019. The social determinants of chronic disease management: perspectives of hypertensive patients from low social-economic status in Singapore. International Journal for Equity in Health. 18:1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-018-0897-7
- Chuah, FLH, Tan, S.T., Yeo, J., Legido-Quigley, H. 2018. The Health Needs and Access Barriers among Refugees and Asylum-seekers in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study. International Journal for Equity in Health. 17:120. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-018-0833-x