Latest news with #LancetPublicHealth
Online Citizen
6 days ago
- Health
- Online Citizen
Mental disorders now Singapore's top health burden for adolescents, says Lancet study
Mental disorders have emerged as the primary cause of disability and death among children aged 10 to 14 in Singapore, according to a new study published by Lancet Public Health on 28 May. The study, part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 series, shows that the impact of mental distress on overall population health in Singapore is the highest in Southeast Asia. The report estimated that in 2021, mental disorders affected 12.8% of males and 11.7% of females in Singapore. That year, a total of 653,000 mental disorder diagnoses were made, including a threefold increase among those aged over 70. The most common conditions were anxiety and depression, affecting approximately 185,000 and 144,000 individuals, respectively. According to the paper, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to this increase, with widespread isolation, uncertainty, and lifestyle disruption exacerbating mental health struggles across age groups. However, greater public awareness and reduced stigma may also have led to more diagnoses and treatment-seeking behaviour. Lead author Associate Professor Marie Ng from the National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), noted that social media exposure and academic pressures are fuelling mental distress in youths. Shifting family structures and increasing social isolation in modern, urban societies also contribute to worsening mental health outcomes. Among ASEAN nations, Singapore showed a 75.6% rise in the number of mental disorder cases from 1990 to 2021. Although the age-standardised prevalence remained relatively stable over that period, the absolute number of cases rose significantly due to population growth and ageing. Mental disorders were responsible for 9.2% of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Singapore in 2021, placing them among the top five causes of disease burden in the country. DALYs measure the overall years lost due to illness, disability, or premature death. The highest burden was observed in adolescents aged 10–14, with mental disorders accounting for 28.2% of all DALYs in this group. Professor Alina Rodriguez from NUS Medicine, a co-author of the paper, highlighted that these findings mirror clinical observations in schools, where mental health issues often emerge early and—if left untreated—can lead to prolonged suffering and lost life potential. The ASEAN-wide study, involving researchers from ten member states, revealed that the region experienced a 70% increase in mental disorder cases since 1990, with a total of 80.4 million cases in 2021. Anxiety disorders were most common, followed by depressive disorders. The burden was especially high among women and young people, but significant growth was also seen among the elderly. Singapore's rapidly ageing population has contributed to rising elderly mental health cases. With advancing age and worsening physical health, older adults often face depression, reinforcing the need to integrate mental and physical care services for this group. Self-harm, another major concern, accounted for 47% of all injury-related deaths in Singapore, especially among individuals aged 20 to 24. While the rate of self-harm is lower than in Japan and South Korea, the trend is alarming, particularly due to its disproportionate impact on young women. Falls were the second leading cause of injury death in Singapore, responsible for 22% of such deaths. Regionally, road injuries topped the list, followed by falls, self-harm, drowning, and interpersonal violence. Despite improvements in cardiovascular care and low smoking rates—Singapore has the lowest prevalence and mortality from cardiovascular diseases in ASEAN—the city-state faces critical challenges in mental health. Cardiovascular diseases, however, still represent the second leading cause of death in Singapore, with more than 385,000 affected in 2021. The paper underscores the need for urgent, sustained policy attention to mental health, especially among youths and the elderly. It calls for multisectoral interventions, improved mental health literacy, and the development of comprehensive, community-based support systems. As ASEAN moves toward its post-2025 health development agenda, this study emphasises that mental health must be prioritised. The authors recommend regional cooperation, investment in mental health infrastructure, and culturally adapted public education to address growing needs. Support services for mental well-being in Singapore If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, support is available. Below is a list of helplines and counselling services in Singapore that offer assistance across a range of needs. 24-hour mental health helplines Institute of Mental Health (IMH) – Mental Health Helpline: 6389 2222 Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) – 24-hour support: 1-767 or 9151 1767 (CareText via WhatsApp) General mental health support Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) : 1800 283 7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore : 6386 1928 CHAT (Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health) : 6493 6500 / 6493 6501 Women's Helpline (Aware) – For women in need: 1800 777 5555 (Weekdays, 10am–6pm) Counselling services Touchline (Touch Community Services) – General counselling: 1800 377 2252 Touch Care Line – For caregivers: 6804 6555 Counselling and Care Centre : 6536 6366 We Care Community Services – Specialising in addiction recovery and support: 3165 8017 Clarity Singapore – Mental health support grounded in Catholic values: 6757 7990
NDTV
6 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Southeast Asia Sees Nearly 150% Rise in Heart Disease, Study Shows
The number of people with cardiovascular disease surged by 148 per cent in Southeast Asia over the past three decades, with the condition becoming the region's leading cause of mortality and morbidity, according to new research. A total 37 million people in the region suffered from cardiovascular disease in 2021 and 1.7 million died from it. The findings by researchers at Seattle-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and the National University of Singapore are based on analysis of health data between 1990 and 2021 from 10 Southeast Asian countries that make up the Asean bloc. The results, published this week in a special edition of The Lancet Public Health dedicated to the region, highlight the growing burden of public health, including cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, smoking and road injuries. The main reasons contributing to cardiovascular disease were high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks, air pollution, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and tobacco use. The aging population in the region also contributes to the big jump in case numbers, according to Marie Ng, the lead author and affiliate associate professor at IHME and associate professor at NUS. "Without immediate action from each of the countries, these preventable health conditions will worsen causing more death and disability across Asean," said Ng, who sought proper resource allocation from governments. It's worth noting that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the incidence of deaths due to cardiovascular disease rose more than predicted and a separate study from 2023 flagged the risk of increase in cardiovascular disease in children born to mothers infected with Covid during pregnancy. The latest study published in The Lancet Public Health found that more than 80 million people in Asean suffered from major mental disorders, 70 per cent higher than in 1990. A closer look by age showed 15- to 19-year-olds had the steepest climb in prevalence at nearly 11 per cent. Here are excerpts of other key findings: Smoking remains a major public health concern. Since 1990, the number of smokers in every Asean country has increased, and the total number jumped by 63 per cent to 137 million, although the smoking prevalence has declined Tobacco smoking accounted for about 11 per cent of all-cause mortality across the region, with the death rate varied from less than 70 per 100,000 males in developed Singapore to more than five times higher in Cambodia Injuries killed hundreds of thousands of people in 2021 across Southeast Asia, with road accidents being the leading cause in most countries, followed by falls, self-harm, drowning and interpersonal violence. Road injuries were particularly severe in Thailand, where 30 deaths per 100,000 people were reported in 2021. The global average death rate is 15 per 100,000.
Malaysian Reserve
7 days ago
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Southeast Asia sees near 150% rise in heart disease, study shows
THE number of people with cardiovascular disease surged by 148% in Southeast Asia over the past three decades, with the condition becoming the region's leading cause of mortality and morbidity, according to new research. A total 37 million people in the region suffered from cardiovascular disease in 2021 and 1.7 million died from it. The findings by researchers at Seattle-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and the National University of Singapore are based on analysis of health data between 1990 and 2021 from 10 Southeast Asian countries that make up the Asean bloc. The results, published this week in a special edition of The Lancet Public Health dedicated to the region, highlight the growing burden of public health, including cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, smoking and road injuries. The main reasons contributing to cardiovascular disease were high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks, air pollution, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and tobacco use. The aging population in the region also contributes to the big jump in case numbers, according to Marie Ng, the lead author and affiliate associate professor at IHME and associate professor at NUS. 'Without immediate action from each of the countries, these preventable health conditions will worsen causing more death and disability across Asean,' said Ng, who sought proper resource allocation from governments. It's worth noting that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the incidence of deaths due to cardiovascular disease rose more than predicted and a separate study from 2023 flagged the risk of increase in cardiovascular disease in children born to mothers infected with Covid during pregnancy. The latest study published in The Lancet Public Health found that more than 80 million people in Asean suffered from major mental disorders, 70% higher than in 1990. A closer look by age showed 15- to 19-year-olds had the steepest climb in prevalence at nearly 11%. Smoking remains a major public health concern. Since 1990, the number of smokers in every Asean country has increased, and the total number jumped by 63% to 137 million, although the smoking prevalence has declined Tobacco smoking accounted for about 11% of all-cause mortality across the region, with the death rate varied from less than 70 per 100,000 males in developed Singapore to more than five times higher in Cambodia Injuries killed hundreds of thousands of people in 2021 across Southeast Asia, with road accidents being the leading cause in most countries, followed by falls, self-harm, drowning and interpersonal violence. Road injuries were particularly severe in Thailand, where 30 deaths per 100,000 people were reported in 2021. The global average death rate is 15 per 100,000. –BLOOMBERG Tobacco smoking accounted for about 11% of all-cause mortality across the region, with the death rate varied from less than 70 per 100,000 males in developed Singapore to more than five times higher in Cambodia
The Star
7 days ago
- Health
- The Star
South-East Asia sees near 150% rise in heart disease, study shows
SINGAPORE: The number of people with cardiovascular disease surged by 148 per cent in South-East Asia over the past three decades, with the condition becoming the region's leading cause of mortality and morbidity, according to new research. A total 37 million people in the region suffered from cardiovascular disease in 2021 and 1.7 million died from it. The findings by researchers at Seattle-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and the National University of Singapore are based on analysis of health data between 1990 and 2021 from ten South-East Asian countries that make up the Asean bloc. The results, published this week in a special edition of The Lancet Public Health dedicated to the region, highlight the growing burden of public health, including cardiovascular disease, mental disorders, smoking and road injuries. The main reasons contributing to cardiovascular disease were high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks, air pollution, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and tobacco use. The aging population in the region also contributes to the big jump in case numbers, according to Marie Ng, the lead author and affiliate associate professor at IHME and associate professor at NUS. "Without immediate action from each of the countries, these preventable health conditions will worsen causing more death and disability across Asean,' said Ng, who sought proper resource allocation from governments. It's worth noting that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the incidence of deaths due to cardiovascular disease rose more than predicted and a separate study from 2023 flagged the risk of increase in cardiovascular disease in children born to mothers infected with Covid during pregnancy. The latest study published in The Lancet Public Health found that more than 80 million people in Asean suffered from major mental disorders, 70 per cent higher than in 1990. A closer look by age showed 15- to 19-year-olds had the steepest climb in prevalence at nearly 11 per cent. - Bloomberg
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Lancet study shows mental disorders significantly impact youth aged 10-14 in Singapore
The rise of social media and high academic pressure have both been linked to increased mental health issues among young people in Singapore. ST FILE PHOTO SINGAPORE - Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability and death among 10 to 14-year-olds in Singapore , while the impact of mental distress on population health here is the highest in Asean , according to a new paper published in the medical journal Lancet Public Health on May 28. In 2021, the prevalence of mental disorders here was estimated at 12.8 per cent among males and 11.7 per cent among females. Altogether , 653,000 diagnoses of mental disorders were made in Singapore that year, including among those more than 70 years of age, an age group that experienced a three-fold rise in the number of cases. Anxiety and depression , triggered in large part by the Covid-19 pandemic , were the most common disorders , affecting approximately 185,000 and 144,000 individuals respectively, it said. The paper was among four studies examining, for the first time, Asean's public health crisis in mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, smoking, and injuries. They are part of the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, a large-scale effort examining health trends worldwide. The series of papers is the first joint research collaboration between Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) and the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), which leads the GBD study. Explaining the mental health burden on adolescents and the population here, lead author Marie Ng, Associate Professor, NUS Medicine, and Affiliate Associate Professor at IHME, said the rise of social media and high academic pressure have both been linked to increased mental health issues among young people. In addition, there are the shifts in the social fabric, including family breakdowns and social isolation, which are becoming more common in developed and Westernised societies, she said. On the other end of the spectrum, as the population ages rapidly and people live longer, the number of older adults with mental disorders has also risen . 'Mental and physical health are closely connected; with weakening physical health, depression is common among the elderly as Singapore's population ages,' she said. The pandemic also triggered increased feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and isolation across all age groups. At the same time, however, improved public awareness and decreasing stigma have led to more people recognising symptoms and seeking help, Prof Ng added. Professor Alina Rodriguez from the psychological medicine department at NUS Medicine, a collaborator on the paper on mental health, said the data reinforces what they see at schools. Clinically, mental health challenges often emerge early in life and, if unaddressed, can lead to years of lost potential. Asean had an estimated 80.4 million cases of mental disorders in 2021, reflecting an increase of approximately 70 per cent since 1990, and anxiety disorders were the region's most common mental disorder. The actual number does not reflect the true need, as many would be borderline cases, and stigma prevents people from seeking care, said Prof Rodriguez. Meanwhile, self-harm was a leading cause of injury deaths in Singapore, accounting for 47 per cent of all injury deaths, with the highest incidence rate seen among youth aged 20 to 24 years. Mental disorders are a major contributor. More incidents of self-harm occurred among females in Singapore than males in 2021. The incidence in Singapore was lower, however, than the rates in neighbouring high-income Asian countries Japan and South Korea. Falls were the second leading cause of injury death after self-harm, accounting for 22 per cent of all deaths from injury here. In the region, the largest number of injury deaths was attributed to road injuries, followed by falls, self-harm, drowning and interpersonal violence. Self-harm was among the top three leading causes of injury-related mortality in Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and Vietnam. As for cardiovascular diseases, Singapore had the lowest prevalence and mortality in the Asean region, and outperformed trends in global and high-income countries in the reduction of cardiovascular disease mortality. However, cardiovascular diseases are still a major population health issue here, given the ageing population and rising risk factors. It is the second leading cause of death in Singapore, and the number of cases has increased by nearly 200 per cent in the last 30 years. In 2021, over 385,000 people in Singapore were affected by cardiovascular diseases. The top five risk factors were high blood pressure, dietary risks (e.g., high sodium, low fiber, low fruit), high LDL cholesterol, high fasting plasma glucose, and tobacco use. Obesity is the fastest growing risk factor. In Singapore, the smoking prevalence among males aged 15 and above was 20.2 per cent, significantly lower than the Asean average of 48.4 per cent. Among females, smoking prevalence stood at 6.56 per cent, which is higher than the regional female average of 4.47 per cent, and ranked the fourth highest in the region. 'The findings present a nuanced picture of Singapore's health progress. While we've made remarkable strides in areas like cardiovascular care and tobacco control, the growing burden of mental health conditions and injuries, particularly self-harm and falls, calls for urgent and sustained attention,' said Prof Ng. Helplines Mental well-being Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) Counselling Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990 Online resources (for those aged 13 to 25) (for those aged 12 to 25) Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
