News

A study on nearly 2,000 children found that 28 per cent of seven-year olds, 50 per cent of 10-year-olds, 62 per cent of 12-year-olds and 73 per cent of 15-year olds are myopic. The study is part of the Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM) that is led by Professor Saw SeangRead more

The School is pleased to announce that Professor Teo Yik Ying, Dean, has been appointed to the Council of Scientists for the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization (HFSPO). The organisation runs the Human Frontier Science Program, a funding programme for frontier research in life sciences. With its offering of long- and short-term fellowships, cross-disciplinary fellowships, career

Every November since 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) and member states have commemorated World Antibiotic Awareness Week, an annual observance to improve antibiotic usage and to increase public awareness of the health risks posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While the threat of a ‘doomsday scenario’ of a post-antibiotic era — where common infections or

The recent proposal to introduce standardised tobacco packaging has elicited strong responses from diverse sectors. Many have lauded the move, including Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, who tweeted a congratulatory message to Singapore. However, some have derided the move as superficial and naive, and one which is unlikely to change the behaviour of smokers. But

Last weekend, over 500 children and parents took a peek into the world of bacteria and antibiotics at the World Antibiotics Awareness Week (WAAW) library workshop, organised by the School’s Singapore Social, Lifestyle and Infection Networks Group (Singapore SLING). Held at Jurong Regional Library on 10-11 November, the event featured different stations for children to learn about

The Ministry of Health recommends people get the flu shot once a year, particularly those at high risk of infection, including young children aged six months to five years, pregnant women, the elderly, patients with chronic conditions or weakened immunity, people living in long-term care facilities and healthcare workers. Yet vaccination levels are low in

On 31 October, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that it will introduce standardised packaging for all tobacco products sold in Singapore, as part of ongoing efforts for a tobacco-free society. If enacted, the new measures may take effect from 2020 and all tobacco products may soon be required to be sold in plain or

A rapidly ageing population is no cause for despair, shared the five panellists on the Straits Times-AIA Roundtable on ‘Managing Singapore’s Health with an Ageing Population: What more needs to be done?’ Being old is not the problem, they pointed out, but being sick, at any age, is. Speaking with Straits Times senior health correspondent

Antibiotics are critical for human and animal health, and it is not an exaggeration to state that they are one of a few critical discoveries that have improved human health dramatically in the past century. Yet, their use in humans and animals are not without risks and trade-offs. As with all medicines, there is a

A study commissioned by the Ministry of Health and involving 5,415 adult inpatients from 13 public and private acute hospitals found that 11.9 per cent of the patients caught an infection while being treated for other conditions. About one in four of the affected had an infection in their bloodstream, while a similar number had