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In Memoriam Saw Swee Hock

In Memoriam: Professor Saw Swee Hock, distinguished academic and generous benefactor

Professor Saw Swee Hock, a leading expert in statistics and renowned philanthropist, passed away on 16 Feb at the age of 89. Prof Saw was the President’s Honorary Professor of Statistics at NUS, and Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. He served as a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2015. His generous donations include a landmark gift in 2011 that led to the establishment of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. Prof Saw’s contributions in the field of statisticsRead more

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a photo of tree stumps by a body of water

How does climate change affect the way diseases are emerging and transmitted?

What might Singapore’s record number of dengue cases and the curious case of a cholera outbreak in Canada have to do with climate change? Associate Professor Yann Boucher was invited on CNA’s ‘The Climate Conversations’ podcast to speak on how climate change affects the way diseases are emerging and transmitted. The discussion with podcast host, Jaime Ho, revolved around the impact of man-made environmental disturbances and pandemics. “Certainly, there’s been changes happening in the environment and one thing to understand is that most diseases, at least the one that spread

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Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian (L) and Professor Teo Yik Ying (R) at a CNA podcast recording on Jan 5, 2021

Addressing concerns about COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccine programmes are being rolled out across the world, including in Singapore. Last month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that vaccination would be free for all Singaporeans and long-term residents. While vaccination is voluntary, all medically eligible residents are encouraged to come forward to get vaccinated. “Because when you get yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself. The more of us are vaccinated, the harder it will be for the virus to spread, and the safer we will all be as a society.” – Prime Minister Lee

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a person receiving an injection on the upper arm

Why taking the vaccine is necessary even if it’s optional

Singapore has addressed local transmission, but we must recognise that this success is transient and constantly at risk. If we want to keep local COVID-19 transmissions low for the long-term, then it’s important that 70 to 80 per cent of the population gets vaccinated, wrote Associate Professor Alex Cook, Vice Dean (Research) and Domain Leader (Biostatistics and Modelling). In a commentary for Channel NewsAsia, he explained the differences between ‘natural herd immunity’ and ‘vaccine-induced herd immunity’, as well as the safety of the vaccine development process. Assoc Prof Cook also

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people wearing masks in an empty train

No community cases in two weeks but not time to get complacent

Zero locally transmitted cases were reported in Singapore in the past two weeks. This is the longest period without any cases in the community since the pandemic started. “I think it is a good milestone, and it gives us cautious optimism that our current measures, even in Phase Two, are sufficient to reduce the transmissibility of the virus significantly to the point where probably the majority of small outbreaks might burn themselves out,” said Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, Vice Dean (Global Health) and Programme Leader (Infectious Diseases). “But I

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man sitting alone at an empty airport

COVID-19 in Asia Pacific: Border Control and Path to Reopening

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought global travel to an unprecedented halt as countries worldwide imposed travel restrictions in an attempt to contain spread. Yet, many look towards reopening and return to a sense of normalcy while striking a balance between protecting public health and economic survival. As the coronavirus outbreak steadies and comes under control across countries in the Asia Pacific region, governments are exploring different options to reopen their borders. The COVID-19 in Asia Pacific: Border Control and Path to Reopening webinar organised by the School on 21 October,

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LTPH - Mythily

Let’s Talk Public Health with Assoc Prof Mythily Subramaniam

As the pandemic unfolds it is timely to talk with Associate Professor Mythily Subramaniam and reflect on the phases of the pandemic in relation to mental well-being. Mythily has worked in mental health research for over 15 years and is also Director of the Research Division and Lead Investigator of the Programme of Mental Health Policy Studies at the Institute of Mental Health. She also teaches and mentors students at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

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