News

Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, is resurging globally due to falling vaccination rates and widespread misinformation. Although Singapore eliminated measles in 2018, 10 cases have already been reported this year, nearly matching last year’s total. While vaccination coverage here remains high, the risk of imported cases continues to pose a concern.

Can Singapore’s strong vaccination efforts hold the line against a global measles resurgence?

A research team led by Asst Prof Saima Hilal has developed Singapore’s first Cognitive Impairment Scoring System which evaluates an individual’s risk of cognitive impairment using 11 key risk factors.

With an accuracy rate of approximately 80%, this innovative tool enables frontline healthcare professionals to quickly identify high-risk individuals and initiate timely interventions to prevent further cognitive deterioration.

Hear from Asst Prof Saima Hilal as she highlights the critical role of early identification in supporting preventive strategies for individuals at elevated risk of cognitive impairment. 

Measles, once nearly eradicated, is making a concerning comeback due to declining vaccination rates and the spread of misinformation. This highly contagious disease poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups like young children and those with weakened immune systems.

Are we facing a global health crisis, and can Singapore afford to ignore this surge?

Hear from Prof Hsu Li Yang as he delves into the importance of ongoing vaccination, regional collaboration, and combating misinformation to prevent future outbreaks.

How do we prepare global health professionals to navigate cultures—not just data?

We recently completed the pilot run of our Introduction to Cultural Competence in Global Health course, designed to equip practitioners in global health with the mindset, tools, and sensitivity to work effectively across diverse cultural settings.

From navigating traditional health beliefs in Asian cultures to understanding relational dynamics in the health ministry, participants engaged in immersive role plays, case-based discussions, and scenario planning. This wasn’t just about theory—it was about cultivating cultural humility and empathy in real-world practice and collaboration.

A special thanks to @Meital Baruch from Global Mindsets for her expert guidance and input into the course creation.

And to all our incredible participants—thank you for showing up with openness, courage, and curiosity. You made this pilot deeply meaningful.

#CulturalCompetency #GlobalHealth #HealthEquity

The workshop aimed to equip policymakers with the necessary knowledge and tools to achieve their regulatory goals, participants engaged in dynamic discussions about the core elements and challenges in e-cigarette regulations from their respective countries.

On 8 May 2025, we were delighted to welcome five delegates from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), led by Prof Zhang Yonghui, Vice President for International Affairs and Chair of Tongji Medical College.

It was a pleasure to exchange ideas on shared #research interests in #ageing, #AI and #epidemiology, and to explore possibilities for academic partnerships. We look forward to transforming these discussions into concrete research projects to improve the health of our populations.

Thank you for visiting us!

On 30 April 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting a delegation of young professionals from the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning for an engaging discussion on developing Singapore’s nationwide #healthpolicy over the years.

It was a valuable opportunity to share insights from our public health journey, focusing on a healthy food environment, food marketing and its impact on community health. Grateful for the enriching dialogue and the opportunity to support cross-country learning in public health!

A special thanks to Dr Salome Antonette Rebello and A/Prof Mary Chong Foong-Fong for generously sharing their time and expertise during the discussions.

As pet ownership grows and close interactions between humans and their pets become more common, domestic animals may increasingly serve as sources of zoonotic transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Pathogens can develop antibiotic resistance more rapidly when the medications are overused or misused.

Hear from Asst Prof Zoe Jane-Lara Hildon as she discusses how the rise in pet ownership has increased human-animal interactions, potentially facilitating the spread of resistant pathogens.