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We would like to extend our warmest Adjunct Associate Professor Adam Chee for receiving the HIMSS Senior Executive Award and for his election to HL7 International, marking him as the first and only Singaporean to achieve this distinction. The HIMSS Changemaker Award (CXO/Senior Executive) is bestowed upon individuals who exhibit active leadership, demonstrating the ability to propel innovation by harnessing emerging, disruptive, and cutting-edge technology to drive transformational change. This leadership addresses healthcare pain points and leads to improved health outcomes. Health Level Seven International (HL7) serves as a cornerstone in the world of healthcare, critically shaping the future of health information technology. The John

Artificial intelligence (AI) is generating both concerns and hopes regarding its influence on the future of work, spanning from hospitals to call centres. While it has successfully assumed certain responsibilities within the realm of healthcare, the job security of healthcare workers seems to remain unaffected for the foreseeable future.

In 2023, a significant milestone was reached with the conclusion of the COVID-19 era as a worldwide health emergency. As we turn our attention to 2024 and the future, what public health challenges are we expected to face? Locally, Singapore will be confronted with issues linked to its aging population, mental health concerns, and ongoing endeavors to handle and plan for outbreaks of infectious diseases. Globally, there are challenges in ensuring equitable access to #vaccines in underserved areas and managing antibiotic resistance amongst other issues. Hear from A/P Natasha Howard as she shares her expert opinion on these pressing issues. Photo credit: NUS News

On 8 January 2024, a conferment ceremony was held at the Lao Plaza Hotel for Professor Mayfong Mayxay, Vice President of the University of Health Sciences in Laos PDR. This special event was attended by Professor Teo Yik Ying together with over 50 representatives and leaders, with the aim of fostering future collaborations and strengthening partnerships between the School and institutions in Lao PDR. Distinguished guests include Professor Bounkong Syhavong, Vice President of the Council of Health Professionals and Former Minister of Health; Dr. Khampasong Setthavanxay, Vice-President of the University of Health Sciences (Lao PDR); Madam Thoummaly Vongphachanh, President of the Cultural & Social Affairs Committee, National Assembly of Lao PDR; Dr. Latsamy Siengsounthone, Director-General of Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute; and Mr. Chew Zhen Hao, Deputy Chief of Mission and Counsellor, Embassy of Singapore to Lao PDR.

Is it appropriate to consider it as a criminal offense if your sexual partner fails to disclose their HIV-positive status? The Infectious Diseases Act (IDA) currently mandates individuals living with #HIV to disclose their status to their sexual partners, enabling informed decisions and necessary precautions. This is a double edge sword as this legal requirement may discourage people from seeking HIV support and services, conflicting with public health goals.

Congratulations to Dr Andre Matthias Mueller for being promoted to Senior Lecturer with effect from 1 January 2024. Andre’s main teaching areas include physical activity and lifestyle behaviour. Some of Andre’s achievements include redesigning the course, SPH3404: Physical Activity for Better Population Health, with pedagogical theories such as using teaching elements that promote positive affects related to learning. He also developed the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on health behaviours. MOOC is an online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the Web. Due to Andre’s sustained excellent performance in teaching, he was awarded the Faculty Teaching Excellence Individual award for AY2020/2021. We would like to thank Andre for his dedicated service towards advancing public health education and wish him continuing success in his career ahead!

What is mental health and how can we improve it on the population scale? What is a mental health ‘disorder’ and how are common mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse, prevented and treated? What are the roles of individuals, communities, societies, and governments in improving mental health? In this new course, we approach these questions from an #interdisciplinary perspective, integrating evidence from various fields to build a holistic picture of mental health as a public health issue. Take a deep dive into the dynamic world of mental health with Assistant Professor Yvette van der Eijk and discover how it is intertwined with other public health issues such as pandemics, chronic diseases, and disease screening and treatment.

What are the latest innovative approaches to address ageing in public health? Join us in an enlightening journey with Dr Dennis Chia as we explore innovative approaches, demography insights, common ageing-related diseases, and policies related to caring for older individuals, both locally and globally.

Can altruism spur health in the community? The propensity for humans to help one another and perform altruistic acts is deeply rooted, and such acts have emerged especially in uncertain times and emergencies, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Altruistic acts not only speak to the endurance of the human spirit, but studies have shown that they also may be leveraged to spur health.

The recent surge in respiratory illnesses among children in China has raised concerns and prompted WHO investigation. Given the reports of a "mysterious illness," it's understandable why there's apprehension about the potential for another pandemic, reminiscent of the early days of COVID-19.

It was 1981 when the first case of the illness now known as #AIDS was reported. How far have we come, and how far do we have to go to end #HIV in this lifetime? In conjunction with World AIDS Day, a team of international experts, including Assistant Professor Rayner Tan have published a Seminar piece in The Lancet to review the progress made in HIV, and detail what needs to be done to achieve an end to the pandemic.

Worldwide, there's an increasing trend of bacterial infections that are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics. In Asia and Singapore, these carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections (CR-GNB) lead to hundreds of avoidable deaths each year. Currently, clinicians lack evidence to guide the best treatment choice for their patients, as well as tools to prevent infection spread. To bridge this healthcare gap, the Amritas team has been granted $10 million for a five-year project to find ways to fight superbugs or drug-resistant bacteria.