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In one of his first executive actions upon returning to office, President Donald Trump signed an order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. For many Asian countries, the US departure raises significant concerns. Nations like Singapore must now take proactive steps to lead regional health initiatives and ensure the well-being of their populations. While the loss of US funding is a setback, it also presents an opportunity for regional groupings, such as ASEAN, to contribute to the global health system. How can Singapore blaze the trail for regional health initiatives following the US withdrawal from the WHO? Hear from Dean, Teo Yik Ying, as he delves into the implications and opportunities of this move for creating a more equitable and resilient global health framework.

In today’s hyperconnected world, misinformation from leading figures and misleading health headlines are gaining momentum, often lacking credible scientific backing. Social media platforms amplify these health myths, making it easier for false information to spread and thrive. This misinformation can lead to public health misunderstandings and even harm. Alarmist headlines and pseudo-science are difficult to distinguish, and even well-educated individuals can struggle to discern fact from fiction, especially when health claims are presented persuasively. How can we combat the rise of health misinformation and help the public make informed health choices? Hear from Dean Prof Teo Yik Ying, as he encourages individuals to seek information from credible sources, consult experts, and critically evaluate claims before sharing them.

The School and University of Health Sciences (UHS) Cambodia successfully delivered a leadership workshop on “Leadership and Innovation in Health Care: Future Health Trends and Priority Setting” from 16-17 Jan 2025 in Phnom Penh”. The event was graced by HE Prof Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, alongside 9 Secretaries of State, who emphasised the critical role of human capital development in strengthening Cambodia’s health system. He congratulated the UHS team, led by Prof  H.E. Professor Saphonn Vonthanak, and the SSHSPH team, led by Prof Hsu Li Yang, for organising this impactful workshop. Over 120 health leaders attended in person and, alongside 90 online participants, engaged in discussions on global megatrends and their impact, the evolution of health systems, action plans for healthcare priorities, and the competencies for health management and leadership. On the first day, the discussions started with global megatrends and their impact on Asia, as well as the evolution and lessons learned from Cambodia and Singapore. Participants also discussed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the Cambodian health system. On the second day, the participants discussed the areas that should be prioritised at both national and sub-national levels, the importance of health management and leadership competencies, as well as the frameworks that can be employed to develop action plans to guide investments and implementations in health. Special thanks to HE Prof Saphonn Vonthanak and his exceptional team at UHS for their invaluable partnership in co-hosting this workshop; and to our SSHSPH team: Hsu Li Yang, Assoc Professor Jeremy Lim, Assoc Prof Siyan Yi, and Ms Esabelle Yam for their contributions

2024 marked one of Singapore's wettest and warmest years, with total rainfall 8.1% above average, matching records from 2016 and 2019. According to Singapore’s third national climate change study, such stormy weather is expected to become more frequent and intense. Globally, the link between climate change and the rise in dengue cases is becoming increasingly evident. In 2024, the number of dengue cases worldwide more than doubled, reaching over 14 million, as reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Singapore’s new Workplace Fairness Act (WFA), passed on 8 Jan 2025, marks a significant step forward in protecting workers from discrimination. However, experts have raised concerns about gaps in the legislation, particularly the exclusion of LGBTQ workers, individuals with learning disabilities, and those with chronicillnesses, such as cancer. These gaps mean that vulnerable workers are not fully protected. How can Singapore strengthen the WFA to ensure comprehensive protection for all? Hear from Asst Prof Rayner Tan and his co-author as they highlight the need for broader legal definitions, enhanced public access to workplace discrimination data, and stronger protections against retaliation.

Social media amplifies panic with every new outbreak, but the real challenge lies in fostering scientific literacy and maintaining measured vigilance. Reactions are common whenever new respiratory outbreaks occur, especially when these involve pathogens that are less well-known outside healthcare and research communities. The recent surge in Mycoplasma pneumonia infections in China, avian influenza (H5N1) outbreaks in the US, and concerns over a possible Human Metapneumovirus pandemic have sparked increased public interest. However, the media's increased reporting, particularly on social media, can cause unnecessary panic at the same time. How can we balance public vigilance with accurate information to prevent fear from spreading faster than the disease itself? Hear from Prof Hsu Li Yang as he delves into the need to improve scientific literacy in current and future generations, empowering individuals to distinguish between credible and misleading information.

On 8th January 2025, we had the privilege of hosting a delegation from the Executive Committee College of Public Health, University of the Philippines (UP) Manila. The group was led by Dean Dr. Fernando B. Garcia, Jr., and Dr. Vivien Fe F. Fadrilan-Camacho, an alumna of the NUS Master of Public Health program and Assistant to the Dean for Academic Affairs. Hosted by Vice Dean (Global Health) Prof Hsu Li Yang and Vice Dean (Research) Prof Alex Cook, the meeting focused on sharing best practices in academic programs, research, public service, and administrative procedures, as well as exploring future collaboration opportunities between our institutions. Thank you, Dr. Fadrilan-Camacho and the UP Manila team, for this enriching exchange. We look forward to building on this collaboration moving forward!

Myopia is a growing public health crisis in Singapore, with long-term health, social, and economic implications. While myopia is irreversible, its progression can be managed through strategies like delaying its onset, slowing its progression, and mitigating associated risks. How can Singapore address the growing myopia crisis and implement systemic changes to reduce its long-term impact on health, society, and the economy?

China is experiencing a rise in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, a common respiratory virus that poses greater risks to children and the elderly. Other countries, including Vietnam and India, are monitoring its spread, while Malaysia reported a 45% increase in cases in 2024 compared to 2023. Experts note that while the surge is concerning, HMPV is not a new virus and is unlikely to cause a pandemic on the scale of COVID-19.

Climate change stands as one of the most significant health challenges of the coming century. To address this, Singapore is bolstering its defences against zoonotic diseases through enhanced bio-surveillance and wildlife monitoring. The Climate, Environment and Health Programme was launched to deepen insights into the health risks posed

A study by the National University of Singapore and Columbia University introduced the Global Ageing Index, a metric assessing countries’ preparedness for population ageing. Singapore ranked 10th globally and 1st in Asia, showcasing its strong strategies to tackle ageing-related challenges. However, low and middle income countries face significant hurdles, such as rapid ageing and insufficient health and social security systems.

Assoc Prof Feng Mengling (Mornin) is promoted to Associate Professor with effect from 1 January 2025. Mornin has been with the School since 2016 and holds considerable portfolios in the real-world application of data science and AI, with the National University Health System and Smart Systems Institute. A signature of his research program is the transformation of raw medical and health data into actionable solutions for real-world public health and healthcare settings. His research impact is considerable, with his AI models for breast cancer mammogram analyses, his work with Civil Defence on establishing an AI assistant for handling emergency calls, the machine learning development for septic patients requiring transthoracic ECG, and designing the stratification model by the severity of patients in ICUs, amongst others. He is concurrently affiliated with the School of Medicine and School of Computing, in relation to his domain expertise in using Computer Science to tackle medical problems. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, and we wish you continued success ahead!