Bolstering education and research efforts in an ageing society: Public Health Service 2023
Published: 31 Aug 2023
With one in four Singaporeans aged 65 years or older in 2030, and the incidence of osteoporotic fractures projected to increase from more than 15,200 in 2017, to more than 24,000 in 2035, the prevalence of bone-related diseases warrants greater attention, along with cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Hence, this was the focus of this year’s Public Health Service, held on 26 and 27 August 2023, at the Canopy @ J-Link. It reached out to residents of Yuhua constituency and focused on the early prevention and education of diseases, particularly bone-health and cardiometabolic illnesses.
An annual preventive health project organised by the NUS Medical Society, the student body of the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), PHS involved volunteers from Singapore’s three public healthcare clusters: the National University Health System, the National Healthcare Group and SingHealth. The comprehensive health screening event saw 1000 Yuhua residents attended by more than 600 volunteers during the two days of the event. Residents were screened and those who need follow-up at polyclinics and hospitals were identified.
This year’s PHS not only focused on primary and secondary prevention strategies that reinforce positive health behaviour in the public, but also integrated the roles of Youth Health Ambassadors — students across various junior colleges, polytechnics and international schools, into the health education aim of PHS. Both the students and residents were empowered to take charge of their own health, through a series of games and exhibitions that allow both groups to interact and learn more about preventive healthcare.
“I am pleased to see how generations of NUS Medicine students have kept faith with the objectives of Public Health Service and over the years, grown this community health screening programme to incorporate various modalities and initiatives. Along the way, our students have invited and partnered allies from the healthcare clusters, agencies, institutions as well as alumni and students from other faculties to make PHS a truly meaningful effort,” said Professor Chong Yap Seng, Dean of NUS Medicine.
PHS 2023 was officially opened by the Guest-of-Honour Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Member of Parliament for Yuhua.
Ms Elvia Ng, Ms Chong Shu Ting, Co-Project Directors of PHS 2023 and third-year students at NUS Medicine Guest-of-Honour, and student volunteers introduced the various booths at PHS 2023 to Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Member of Parliament for Yuhua.
The health screening included risk assessment and screening for various chronic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, common geriatrics conditions, and education on bone-health. PHS 2023 also strove to educate residents on the importance of disease prevention, through 12 updated modalities, such as Phlebotomy for Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia, Women’s Cancer education, Oral health, Consultations with Dieticians as well as partnerships with various organisations.
“Cardiometabolic diseases are one of the leading causes of death and disability in Singapore. This is especially so in recent years, due to our ageing population and changing lifestyle and dietary habits. Another increasingly prevalent and potentially serious condition is osteoporosis. Despite rising rates of osteoporosis, there is still a lack of awareness on bone health among the population. Therefore, it is important to address the increasing prevalence of such diseases through education, screening and follow-up management,” said Ms Elvia Ng, Co-Project Director of PHS 2023 and third-year student at NUS Medicine.
“We hope that through PHS’ screening and educational initiatives, we can not only pick up some of these conditions (e.g. hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus) early, but also help the public identify any lifestyle risk factors and provide advice and counselling to motivate them to change their lifestyle habits,” added Ms Chong Shu Ting, Co-Project Director of PHS 2023 and third-year student at NUS Medicine.
As a whole, PHS hopes to contribute to public health education and awareness in Singapore, potentially accentuating efforts in shaping public health policies and clinical practice guidelines in the future, while continuing to empower the local community to take care of their own health.
Read more from the press release here.
