News

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!

We are delighted to announce the appointments of the School’s new Assistant Deanery, effective from 1 Jan 2025!

Assistant Dean (Education): Assoc Prof Mary Chong
Assistant Dean (Global Health): Prof Alex Cook
Assistant Dean (Practice): Assoc Prof Ng Wee Tong
Assistant Dean (Research): Assoc Prof Falk Muller-Riemenschneider

Working closely with the Vice Deans, they will play a pivotal role in providing operational leadership in implementing programmes, policies and initiatives that align with the School’s goals. This is also an important aspect of leadership succession planning.

The expertise, commitment and leadership of our Assistant Deans will be crucial as we navigate this dynamic landscape, driving meaningful change through research, education, practice and outreach.

Appointment of Associate Professor Mary Chong as Assistant Dean (Education)

Assoc Prof Chong brings an exceptional commitment to nurturing the next generation of public health professionals. Her innovative approaches to curriculum design and passion for student engagement have set new standards in educational excellence.

Working closely with Vice Dean (Education), Assoc Prof Liow Chee Hsiang, the School is poised to further elevate our academic programmes, ensuring our students are well-prepared to tackle ever-evolving public health challenges.

Appointment of Prof Alex Cook as Assistant Dean (Global Health)

Prof Cook’s exceptional contributions to global health modelling and his leadership in international collaborations position him perfectly to help lead the School’s global health efforts. His appointment signals our strong commitment to advancing global health initiatives and fostering partnerships that transcend borders.

Together with Vice Dean (Global Health), Prof Hsu Li Yang, the Global Health Office will expand the school’s global partnerships and address health challenges beyond Singapore.

For the time being, Prof Cook will continue to lead the Research Office in promoting and coordinating translational research within the School as Vice Dean (Research), and there will be further announcements with regards to changes in his leadership portfolio later this year.

Appointment of Associate Professor Ng Wee Tong as Assistant Dean (Practice)

Assoc Prof Ng has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to bridging academic insights with real-world applications. His extensive experience in public health practice makes him uniquely equipped to lead initiatives that translate our research into meaningful improvements in population health outcomes, both locally and regionally.

Together with Vice Dean (Practice), Assoc Prof Jason Yap, they will ensure our translational research continues to address pressing public health needs and improve population health outcomes.

Assoc Prof Ng will continue to lead the School’s Continuing Education and Training (CET) Office as its Director as well as helm the Centre for Environmental & Occupational Health (CEOH) as Director.  

Appointment of Associate Prof Falk Muller-Riemenschneider as Assistant Dean (Research) 

Known for his collaborative spirit and ability to foster interdisciplinary research, Assoc Muller-Riemenschneider is a highly respected researcher whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of epidemiology and public health policy.

Together with Vice Dean (Research), Prof Alex Cook, they will guide our research agenda towards impactful discoveries and stronger partnerships across disciplines and sectors.

The recent MediShield Life enhancements aim to provide Singaporeans with greater financial protection against rising healthcare costs. Set to roll out in stages from April 2025, these enhancements represent a significant step towards ensuring more comprehensive healthcare coverage for all Singaporeans.

With these changes, what does this mean for Singaporeans and how will we benefit from it?

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.