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A new local study by researchers from the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) may help doctors detect glaucoma, an often undiagnosed eye disease, earlier than usual. Researchers found that those with moderate to high myopia (above 300 degrees) and high eye pressure were more likely to develop primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), compared to those without myopia and high eye pressure. Associate Professor Cheng Ching Yu, principal investigator of the study, said the findings are particularly relevant for the Asian population and Singapore, consideringRead more

We can expect to see 1 million Type 2 diabetics in Singapore by the year 2050, a statistic which will inevitably place burden on our healthcare system and workforce. Singapore also has the second highest proportion of diabetics in developed nations, with 10.53% of the population between 20 and 79 diagnosed with diabetes, a figure topped only narrowly by the United States. Furthermore, diabetes is no longer a disease afflicting the old and weak, with increasing rates of younger people developing diabetes. How do we make sense of such figures?

The Zika virus epidemic has undoubtedly become one of the most talked-about topics within the public health sphere, with the World Health Organization (WHO) justifiably declaring it a global health emergency as coordinated global efforts are critically needed in research, vaccine development and international action. With Singapore drawing large numbers of overseas visitors and frequent international travel among Singaporeans, a local case of Zika may only be a matter of time, The method of hospitalising suspected patients proves effective only when we can identify cases in the early stages of infection. However, with most

Heavy taxes have been placed on harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol to discourage their consumption. Yet sugar, another addictive harmful substance, does not face these strict taxation measures. Sugar consumption has been well established by health experts as the single most harmful ingredient in the modern diet, contributing to illnesses like diabetes, heart, liver and kidney disease, cancer, and more. Sugar consumption has also been responsible for increasing childhood obesity rates worldwide, including in Singapore, where around 1.7 million Singaporeans are at risk of obesity-related diseases. Dean, Professor Chia

Researchers from the National University of Singapore have found that consumption of palm oil led to higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which translated into a 6 per cent higher risk of coronary heart disease and death. However, not all clinical trials on humans have shown a link between palm oil consumption and LDL cholesterol levels, says Associate Professor Rob van Dam from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, who has led a team to carry out a comprehensive review of relevant clinical trials. Palm oil is widely used

The Ministry of Health (MOH) recently announced the shelving of plans for Jade Circle, a pioneering model of care for dementia patients that proposes to house them in single or twin rooms. All subsidised beds and nursing homes in Singapore currently have six- to eight-bed dormitories for patients, and the only instance for a subsidised patient to be housed in a single room would be for infection-control purposes. However, the need for personal space such as the need for individual rooms and a conducive environment is beneficial for dementia patients,

A commemorative book on Singapore’s experiences in overcoming infectious diseases over the past 50 years was launched on 28 December 2015 at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The book, titled “Overcoming Infectious Diseases in Singapore: Past, Present and Future” is authored by Dr Vincent Pang and Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and covers Singapore’s tackling past major infectious diseases like malaria, cholera and typhoid. The book also chronicles Singapore’s journey and experience in handling vaccine-preventable diseases like hepatitis B and pneumococcus, modern epidemics like SARS,

Responding to a Q&A feature on how to avoid carcinogens and reduce the risk of getting cancer, Associate Professor Rob van Dam advised readers staying away from cigarettes and alcohol, and that it is important to cultivate healthy eating habits. In the case of french fries, many consider them a common source of acrylamides, a carcinogen that is linked to higher risk of cancer in animals. However, as most carbohydrate-containing foods are a source of acrylamide, intake cannot be completely avoided. Instead, one can limit the amount of french fries

Women who have given birth once have 44% lower risk of lung cancer, regardless of their smoking habits, according to a study conducted by researchers from the National University of Singapore and National Cancer Centre Singapore. The teams looked at records of more than 28,000 women who participated in the Singapore Breast Cancer Screening Project (SBCSP), of which at least 90% had at least one child or more. The study also found that other factors relating to childbirth, such as age at menopause, reproductive period, age at first delivery, breastfeeding,

Singaporeans are not just living longer, but also remaining healthy for more years. Between 2004 and 2010, the life expectancy for men rose 2.1 years to 79.2, while their healthy years increased by 2.7 years. In females, the life expectancy and healthy years rose by two and four respectively. Professor Chia Kee Seng, Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health explains that the increase in the number of healthy years is “probably due to a delay in the onset of chronic diseases among the current older generations.