News

“We need a mindset change — we have always valued wealth over health. Now we have to pursue both health and wealth together,” said Dean, Professor Chia Kee Seng at the biennial Singapore HEALTH (Helping Employees Achieve Life-time Health) Award 2017. Initiated by the Health Promotion Board (HPB), the award recognises organisations with strong commitment to promote workplace health. This year, 223 firms and individuals received awards at the ceremony, which was held on Tuesday, 10 October at the ITE College Central campus in Ang Mo Kio. In his speech, Prof ChiaRead more

In addition to overeating and lack of physical activity, smoking is one of many Singaporeans’ poor lifestyle choices and habits, said Dean, Professor Chia Kee Seng. While the country has made significant progress in smoking control, the proportion of smokers among Singaporeans has plateaued over the past 10 to 15 years, indicating a significant number of new smokers each year. “The majority of them are young, and the tobacco industry is targeting them precisely because research has shown that if an individual does not start smoking by the age of 21,Read more

Gestational diabetes (GDM) affects 20 to 30 per cent of pregnant women in Singapore – one of the highest rates in the world. These women not only face a higher risk of developing diabetes post-pregnancy, but are also more likely to give birth to heavy babies who are at higher risk of developing childhood obesity. To help pregnant women with GDM better manage their condition, a smartphone app that can track their weight and blood glucose levels was jointly developed by the National University Hospital (NUH), medical technology firm JanaRead more

Periods of extreme blood sugar levels put diabetics at significantly higher risk of developing serious complications, according to a recent study by Assistant Professor Kavita Venkataraman and her team. Using more than 11 years of data on blood glucose levels from over 6,000 diabetics aged 52 to 67, the study revealed that the impact of high glucose levels in the body might be irreversible. Even if sugar levels improve later on, a duration of very high blood glucose level will still double to triple a patient’s likelihood of developing complications like heartRead more

The smoking prevalence in Singapore has dropped significantly from 20 per cent in 1984 to 13.3 per cent in 2013. However, it has plateaued over the last 10 years, indicating that the proportion of new smokers has gone up to ‘replace’ those who have died from or quit smoking. This means more aggressive efforts are needed to stop people from picking up the habit. Seeing as eighty per cent of smokers are addicted before the age of 21, the Bill tabled early this week to raise the minimum legal ageRead more

A recent study led by Professor Tai E Shyong and Assistant Professor Dr Sim Xueling, along with other researchers, has discovered, for the first time in Asians, the PCSK9 gene that affects cholesterol. The gene had only been identified in Europeans until now. Analysing nearly 69,500 individuals from 6 countries (Philippines, Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore), the five-year study is the largest in Asia to identify genes that influence blood cholesterol levels. Discovery of the PCSK9 gene could help in the management of heart disease in Asia by allowing for gene-targetedRead more

Following an anonymous donation of $15,000 to the School this year, the Lee Hin Peng Medal was established in recognition of Emeritus Professor Lee Hin Peng’s stellar achievements and contributions to public health in Singapore and the region. With effect from this semester, the university-level medal will be awarded annually to a graduating student from the Master of Public Health, Master of Science or PhD programmes, who has obtained a good CAP and the best score for the Public Health Research Methods module. Emeritus Prof Lee, who officially retired from NUS onRead more

In collaboration with the School and Mediacorp, the Tampines Group Representation Constituency engaged its residents at the ‘Eat Healthy, Live Healthy’ talk-show held at Our Tampines Hub on 20 September 2017. Professor Teo Yik Ying, Vice Dean (Research), and Dr Mary Chong were featured as panellists, together with Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of the North East Community Development Council, Mediacorp artiste Zheng Ge Ping and Dr Fadzil Hamzah, a sports physician at Changi Sports Medicine Centre, Changi General Hospital. Prof Teo gave an overview of the state of chronic diseases in Singapore, particularlyRead more

“In order to fully realise the potential of the influenza vaccine – a life-saving innovation, people need to be willing to take it.” Vaccines play a vital role in healthcare, but take-up rates are far from ideal. Dr Heidi Larson, professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and Dr Neisha Sundaram, research fellow at LSHTM and visiting research fellow at SSHSPH, talk about the role of innovation in public health. Read more here: Harnessing innovation in public health, The Straits Times, 15 September 2017

Achieving less than one workplace fatality per 100,000 workers requires Singapore to look beyond Vision Zero, an approach which appears to focus predominantly on tackling workplace safety hazards and, at most, occupational and work-related diseases. To make this goal a reality, Singapore needs to widen its perspective and recognise that the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, like diabetes and hypertension, are equally important, because these diseases can affect a worker’s safety and capacity to work. Led by Associate Prof Chia Sin Eng, Vice Dean (Academic Affairs), the School’s Total Workplace SafetyRead more

With more than 480 fast food outlets in Singapore, it is no wonder that Singaporeans are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out. In fact, fast food sales have increased by seven per cent over the last year. A study by Associate Professor Rob van Dam and Dr Salome Rebello, along with the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Health Promotion Board, also indicated that fast food sales have increased by more than 13 per cent over the past five years. Worryingly, but not surprisingly, more than 70 per cent ofRead more

For Asians, just looking at Body Mass Index (BMI) levels is not a good enough measure of obesity. Compared to our Caucasian counterparts, Asians tend to store fat around our internal organs. Because of this, it may not be obvious if we are at risk of diabetes because we have BMI levels in the ‘normal’ range and we don’t ‘look’ obese. With a projection of 1 million diabetics in Singapore by 2050, it is important to start now and make healthy living our goal from an early age. “There hasRead more