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We are excited to share the establishment of a new Centre for AI in Public Health, announced at the biennial National Healthcare System Artificial Intelligence Symposium (IMAGINE AI). As the region’s first centre focused on developing AI-driven public health solutions, it marks a significant milestone in advancing healthcare innovation.

The initiative, to be launched by the School in the first half of 2025, will look at developing predictive AI models to identify chronic diseases, producing surveillance systems for early detection of infectious disease outbreaks, while upholding robust data privacy protection throughout its initiatives.

A malaria parasite that primarily infects monkeys and apes is increasingly spreading to humans in Southeast Asia, posing a significant challenge to malaria elimination efforts. As countries in the region approach eradication, zoonotic infections, driven by deforestation and closer human-wildlife contact, threaten to reverse this progress.

How can countries tackle the challenges of zoonotic malaria to sustain progress towards malaria elimination?

How can we better understand pandemics and public health in an engaging, hands-on way?

The Lockdown! game offers a unique platform to explore how diseases spread, compare COVID 19 to historical pandemics, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions like masks and vaccinations, all within the immersive context of gameplay.

Antidepressants are used to treat mental illnesses but could also lead to unwanted side effects. What does it mean when data are showing that more young adults are on them?

Catch Asst Prof Rayner Kay Jin Tan in CNA’s Talking Point episode titled “The ‘Happy Pill’: What Is It Doing To Us?” as he unpacks the public health implications of having more young people on antidepressants in Singapore in the context of other treatment options. He also responded to the question of what it would mean for the Singapore society to have an entire generation reliant on antidepressants.

Dr Rayner Tan is also a co-lead of SG Mental Health Matters, a mental health advocacy group, and a co-lead of Project Hayat, a ground-up initiative to develop a National Suicide Prevention Strategy in Singapore. He is also treasurer of the Society of Behavioural Health, Singapore.

Preventive dental care often takes a backseat in Singapore, with many only seeking treatment when severe issues arise, leading to costly and complex interventions. The National Adult Oral Health Survey in 2019 discovered that over three-quarters of adults suffer from periodontal disease. For a developed nation renowned for its robust public health programmes, these figures highlight systemic gaps in oral health.

The recent controversy surrounding MaNaDr Clinic has sparked debate about the industry, with authorities highlighting “clinical and ethical standards” lapses in its operations. However, healthcare experts believe this serves as a wake-up call to push for higher standards, greater transparency, and stronger safeguards to maintain public confidence.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung encouraged the healthcare sector to adopt AI strategically at a health tech showcase held at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House on 13 Nov 2024.

The AI project, Intelligent Telephone Triage in Pre-Hospital Emergency Care, was presented by Asst Prof Feng Mengling at the event.

This AI model transcribes public calls to emergency responders and automatically populates a form that call-takers use to efficiently share information with other departments. The system also prompts call-takers by suggesting follow-up questions to ask and recommending actions, such as dispatching an ambulance in critical situations.

Photo credit: The Straits Times

Over the past decade, youth mental health issues have surged. The World Health Organisation estimates that one in seven 10- to 19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 15% of the global disease burden in this age group. Youth is a critical period of growth, shaped by a complex set of factors that influence how young people manage stress, build resilience, and face life’s challenges.

What role can families, schools, and communities play in addressing the youth mental health crisis?

On 6 November 2024, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung graced the High-level Meeting on Risk Communication for Public Health Emergencies as the Guest-of-Honour and hosted an insightful fireside chat with more than 50 representatives from government agencies, academic institutions and other public health experts from 27 countries. The segment paved the way for fruitful discussions to follow as part of the 2-day event co-organised by Asia-Europe Foundation and Asia Centre for Health Security.

Bird flu is typically contracted by humans through contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments. However, a new study shows that habitat destruction, such as coastal deforestation, is bringing migratory birds closer to human communities, potentially spreading the virus indirectly through contaminated water sources.

With humans and wildlife coming into closer contact due to urban development, should we rethink the assumption that poultry is the main risk for bird flu?

Hear from Assoc Prof Kimberly Fornace as she calls for the need to expand bird flu risk assessment, conserve habitats to reduce transmission risks, and avoid culling wildlife.