Shaping the Future of Health Systems
The Health Systems and Policy (HSP) domain at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, is a dynamic and interdisciplinary hub driving research, innovation, and policy engagement. Its mission is to address the most complex and pressing health system challenges—locally, regionally, and globally—with evidence-informed solutions.
From healthcare financing reforms and population ageing to digital transformation and care integration, the HSP domain provides rigorous, policy-relevant analysis to inform system-level decisions. Our work spans the entire continuum of health system design and delivery, guided by a unifying goal to advance equity, efficiency, and sustainability in healthcare.
Embedded in National and Global Policy Conversations
What sets the HSP domain apart is its deep alignment with national health priorities and its strong partnerships across government, international agencies, and the healthcare sector. Faculty and researchers work closely with ministries, statutory boards, global organisations, and provider networks to shape public health policy and inform strategic planning.
Key areas of research and influence include:
- Healthcare financing and universal health coverage
- Health technology assessment and value-based decision-making
- Ageing and long-term care system design
- Population health and chronic disease prevention
- Organisation and governance of care delivery
Methodologically, the domain employs a wide range of approaches, from economic modelling and policy simulation to systems mapping and participatory evaluation, to generate actionable insights for real-world application.
Advancing Workforce Health and Safety
The domain is at the forefront of workplace health research, focusing on the safety, wellbeing, and resilience of the labour force. From examining the risks faced by lower-wage essential workers to advising corporations on mental health and ergonomics, the domain translates evidence into healthier work environments. Our research informs national policies on occupational health, supports implementation of workplace wellness strategies, and evaluates interventions to reduce injury, enhance productivity, and protect high-risk worker groups.
Regional Leadership in Tobacco and Vaping Control
As the tobacco landscape evolves with the proliferation of e-cigarettes and novel nicotine products, the HSP domain has established itself as a regional thought leader in tobacco control. Research areas include youth vaping behaviours, health impacts of emerging nicotine delivery systems, policy effectiveness, and industry tactics. Faculty collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health and Health Sciences Authority in support of Singapore’s tobacco control strategy, while also contributing to global discussions through WHO partnerships and regional tobacco research networks.
Building Capacity for System Change
Beyond research, the domain is a key driver of capacity building. Through graduate education, executive programmes, and policy fellowships, HSP equips future health system leaders with the tools to drive change. Alumni now serve in leadership roles across government agencies, international bodies, research institutes, and healthcare systems throughout Asia and beyond.
To further this mission, the School will launch a new Master of Science in Health Economics and Outcomes Research (MScHEOR) in August 2025, welcoming its first cohort in August 2026. The programme will strengthen local and regional capacity for value-based health decision-making and evidence-based reform.
Convening Partnerships for Impact
Collaboration is central to the domain’s ethos. Through platforms such as the Centre for Health Intervention and Policy Evaluation Research (HIPER), the domain brings together academics, policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders to co-create solutions to Singapore’s most urgent health challenges. HSP is also home to the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health and the newly established Population Health Research and Innovation for System Modelling (PHRISM).
In a world shaped by demographic shifts, rising inequality, and evolving disease burdens, the need for strong, evidence-informed health policy has never been more critical. The HSP domain remains committed to shaping resilient, equitable, and sustainable health systems through research, education, and partnership.