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AsiaOne
6 days ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
Healthy lifestyle changes could save Singapore $650m in healthcare costs by 2050: Study, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — If Singaporeans made sustained and long-term changes to their lifestyles, the Republic could save up to $650 million in direct healthcare costs by 2050. This according to a recently published modelling study that looked into how changing the way they live over 30 years could affect the health and healthcare spending of Singapore's Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. It simulated the effects of ageing over 30 years, and showed that the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease is projected to increase sharply among older adults by 2050. This increase, coupled with the development of more advanced treatments, will propel the demand for healthcare and healthcare infrastructure, potentially driving medical inflation and overall expenditure. The study also showed that cost savings would arise due to people not experiencing significant changes in their chronic health issues — such as high blood pressure — as they age, and not so much because the lifestyle interventions led to widespread improvements in health outcomes or extended lifespans. Only a small group — approximately three per cent to seven per cent of older adults — would see improvements in their chronic disease status, live longer, and enjoy more disability-free years. The study, led by researchers from NUS' Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, is one of the first to quantify the long-term health and economic impact of behavioural change across different ethnic groups in Singapore's ageing population. Titled Disease Burden, Lifetime Healthcare Cost And Long-term Intervention Impact Projections Among Older Adults In Singapore, it was published in the journal Nature Ageing in July. The modelling study used data from the Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort (MEC) health study, which was designed to study ethnic differences in chronic disease risk, and consisted of 47 per cent Chinese, 26 per cent Malay and 27 per cent Indian participants. The 14,465 participants, aged between 21 and 94, were recruited between January 2004 and November 2010, and followed up between January 2011 and December 2016. The MEC was then reweighted to reflect older adults in Singapore in 2020, allowing the researchers to model long-term health trajectories and ethnic disparities in Singapore. The researchers modelled intervention scenarios aligned with Singapore's national preventative care initiative Healthier SG, focusing on improved blood pressure management, increased physical activity, sodium reduction and a combined intervention using all three strategies. Implementing all four interventions could lead to the projected savings by 2050. Assistant Professor Cynthia Chen, the study's principal investigator, said it provided a clearer picture of how lifestyle interventions can influence long-term health and healthcare spending in Singapore, without markedly extending life. The projected lifetime healthcare expenditure is the highest among Indians ($120,000), followed by the Chinese ($97,000) and Malays ($90,000). The lifetime healthcare costs are the highest in Indians due to prevalent chronic diseases and the lowest in Malays due to a shorter life expectancy. The researchers showed that while Malay and Indian older adults are projected to have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities than Chinese older adults in Singapore, they stand to benefit most from sustained preventative strategies and targeted lifestyle programmes. The lifestyle interventions are projected to moderate the rise of chronic disease burdens and healthcare costs, while only marginally extending life and disability-free life years for a small group. "We realised it was because there's this very strong effect of ageing. Generally, as people age, they are already at a higher risk of getting all these conditions," Prof Chen said. "If you look at the National Population Health Survey, you don't actually see a reduction in chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, despite the fact that the Health Promotion Board, in the last 10 years, has done a lot of work, such as (introducing) the National Steps Challenge." However, the Government is now looking at getting older adults to do more muscle strengthening exercises, instead of counting their steps, she said. Where sodium consumption is concerned, about 90 per cent of Singaporeans still exceed the recommended daily sodium intake, she added. Actions are needed to address poor management of chronic diseases such as hypertension, lack of strengthening activities or high-sodium diets and to reduce disparities, the paper said. Lifestyle interventions may produce more benefits for society if they are initiated at younger ages, providing a greater opportunity to delay or prevent hypertension and diabetes, according to the study. [[nid:720450]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
New Paper
6 days ago
- Health
- New Paper
Singapore could save $650m in healthcare costs with healthy lifestyle changes: Study
If Singaporeans made sustained and long-term changes to their lifestyles, the Republic could save up to $650 million in direct healthcare costs by 2050. This according to a recently published modelling study that looked into how changing the way they live over 30 years could affect the health and healthcare spending of Singapore's Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. It simulated the effects of ageing over 30 years, and showed that the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease is projected to increase sharply among older adults by 2050. This increase, coupled with the development of more advanced treatments, will propel the demand for healthcare and healthcare infrastructure, potentially driving medical inflation and overall expenditure. The study also showed that cost savings would arise due to people not experiencing significant changes in their chronic health issues - such as high blood pressure - as they age, and not so much because the lifestyle interventions led to widespread improvements in health outcomes or extended lifespans. Only a small group - approximately 3 per cent to 7 per cent of older adults - would see improvements in their chronic disease status, live longer, and enjoy more disability-free years. The study, led by researchers from NUS' Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, is one of the first to quantify the long-term health and economic impact of behavioural change across different ethnic groups in Singapore's ageing population. Titled Disease Burden, Lifetime Healthcare Cost And Long-term Intervention Impact Projections Among Older Adults In Singapore, it was published in the journal Nature Ageing in July. The modelling study used data from the Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort (MEC) health study, which was designed to study ethnic differences in chronic disease risk, and consisted of 47 per cent Chinese, 26 per cent Malay and 27 per cent Indian participants. The 14,465 participants, aged between 21 and 94, were recruited between January 2004 and November 2010, and followed up between January 2011 and December 2016. The MEC was then reweighted to reflect older adults in Singapore in 2020, allowing the researchers to model long-term health trajectories and ethnic disparities in Singapore. The researchers modelled intervention scenarios aligned with Singapore's national preventative care initiative Healthier SG, focusing on improved blood pressure management, increased physical activity, sodium reduction and a combined intervention using all three strategies. Implementing all four interventions could lead to the projected savings by 2050. Assistant Professor Cynthia Chen, the study's principal investigator, said it provided a clearer picture of how lifestyle interventions can influence long-term health and healthcare spending in Singapore, without markedly extending life. The projected lifetime healthcare expenditure is the highest among Indians ($120,000), followed by the Chinese ($97,000) and Malays ($90,000). The lifetime healthcare costs are the highest in Indians due to prevalent chronic diseases and the lowest in Malays due to a shorter life expectancy. The researchers showed that while Malay and Indian older adults are projected to have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities than Chinese older adults in Singapore, they stand to benefit most from sustained preventative strategies and targeted lifestyle programmes. The lifestyle interventions are projected to moderate the rise of chronic disease burdens and healthcare costs, while only marginally extending life and disability-free life years for a small group. "We realised it was because there's this very strong effect of ageing. Generally, as people age, they are already at a higher risk of getting all these conditions," Prof Chen said. "If you look at the National Population Health Survey, you don't actually see a reduction in chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, despite the fact that the Health Promotion Board, in the last 10 years, has done a lot of work, such as (introducing) the National Steps Challenge." However, the Government is now looking at getting older adults to do more muscle strengthening exercises, instead of counting their steps, she said. Where sodium consumption is concerned, about 90 per cent of Singaporeans still exceed the recommended daily sodium intake, she added. Actions are needed to address poor management of chronic diseases such as hypertension, lack of strengthening activities or high-sodium diets and to reduce disparities, the paper said. Lifestyle interventions may produce more benefits for society if they are initiated at younger ages, providing a greater opportunity to delay or prevent hypertension and diabetes, according to the study.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Healthy lifestyle changes could save Singapore $650 million in healthcare costs by 2050: Study
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The study is one of the first to quantify the long-term health and economic impact of behavioural change across different ethnic groups in Singapore's ageing population. SINGAPORE – If Singaporeans made sustained and long-term changes to their lifestyles, the Republic could save up to $650 million in direct healthcare costs by 2050. This according to a recently published modelling study that looked into how changing the way they live over 30 years could affect the health and healthcare spending of Singapore's Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. It simulated the effects of ageing over 30 years, and showed that the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease is projected to increase sharply among older adults by 2050. This increase, coupled with the development of more advanced treatments, will propel the demand for healthcare and healthcare infrastructure, potentially driving medical inflation and overall expenditure. The study also showed that cost savings would arise due to people not experiencing significant changes in their chronic health issues – such as high blood pressure – as they age, and not so much because the lifestyle interventions led to widespread improvements in health outcomes or extended lifespans. Only a small group – approximately 3 per cent to 7 per cent of older adults – would see improvements in their chronic disease status, live longer, and enjoy more disability-free years. The study, led by researchers from NUS' Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, is one of the first to quantify the long-term health and economic impact of behavioural change across different ethnic groups in Singapore's ageing population. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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The modelling study used data from the Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort (MEC) health study, which was designed to study ethnic differences in chronic disease risk, and consisted of 47 per cent Chinese, 26 per cent Malay and 27 per cent Indian participants. The 14,465 participants, aged between 21 and 94, were recruited between January 2004 and November 2010, and followed up between January 2011 and December 2016. The MEC was then reweighted to reflect older adults in Singapore in 2020, allowing the researchers to model long-term health trajectories and ethnic disparities in Singapore. The researchers modelled intervention scenarios aligned with Singapore's national preventative care initiative Healthier SG , focusing on improved blood pressure management, increased physical activity, sodium reduction and a combined intervention using all three strategies. Implementing all four interventions could lead to the projected savings by 2050. Assistant Professor Cynthia Chen, the study's principal investigator, said it provided a clearer picture of how lifestyle interventions can influence long-term health and healthcare spending in Singapore, without markedly extending life. The projected lifetime healthcare expenditure is the highest among Indians ($120,000), followed by the Chinese ($97,000) and Malays ($90,000). The lifetime healthcare costs are the highest in Indians due to prevalent chronic diseases and the lowest in Malays due to a shorter life expectancy. The researchers showed that while Malay and Indian older adults are projected to have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities than Chinese older adults in Singapore, they stand to benefit most from sustained preventative strategies and targeted lifestyle programmes. The lifestyle interventions are projected to moderate the rise of chronic disease burdens and healthcare costs, while only marginally extending life and disability-free life years for a small group. 'We realised it was because there's this very strong effect of ageing. Generally, as people age, they are already at a higher risk of getting all these conditions,' Prof Chen said. 'If you look at the National Population Health Survey, you don't actually see a reduction in chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, despite the fact that the Health Promotion Board, in the last 10 years, has done a lot of work, such as (introducing) the National Steps Challenge.' However, the Government is now looking at getting older adults to do more muscle strengthening exercises, instead of counting their steps, she said. Where sodium consumption is concerned, about 90 per cent of Singaporeans still exceed the recommended daily sodium intake, she added. Actions are needed to address poor management of chronic diseases such as hypertension, lack of strengthening activities or high-sodium diets and to reduce disparities, the paper said. Lifestyle interventions may produce more benefits for society if they are initiated at younger ages, providing a greater opportunity to delay or prevent hypertension and diabetes, according to the study.
Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Share a bed with your fur kid? Here's what you should know about antibiotic-resistant bacteria
(From left) Dr Teo Boon Han, Prof Zoe Hildon and Prof Angela Chow are among a team of researchers who studied antibiotic usage patterns among pet owners in Singapore. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Share a bed with your fur kid? Here's what you should know about antibiotic-resistant bacteria SINGAPORE - Three in four pet owners in Singapore do not know that antibiotic-resistant bacteria can spread between them and their pets, a recent paper found. The study, a collaboration between Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and the Singapore Veterinary Association , involved 1,080 pet owners, who were surveyed at 16 vet clinics across Singapore from March to December 2023 . What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria evolves to become resistant to standard antibiotics. Though this is a natural process, pathogens can grow resistant to antibiotics more quickly if the drugs are overly or improperly administered. Often labelled a 'silent pandemic', experts estimate that AMR could cause over 10 million deaths annually by 2050 - overtaking even cancer. When asked why the risk of AMR is increasingly salient, Associate Professor Angela Chow , a senior consultant from Tan Tock Seng Hospital who helmed the research study, said: 'The misuse of antibiotics pressures the bacteria to evolve, but yet the pipeline of antibiotic discovery - it's not that fast. 'It takes many years to discover antibiotics, so we haven't gotten new classes of them for some time.' As antibiotics are rendered ineffective by AMR, infections may become more difficult to treat. And according to the World Health Organisation, this increases the risk of severe disease, disability and death. Singapore has adopted a One Health framework to tackle AMR - one which considers the links between human, animal and environmental health. The same AMR bacteria can be found in sick pets as in humans, Prof Chow said. These antibiotic-resistant pathogens can be transmitted between the two upon contact, such as when owners are licked on the face by their pets, or handle their faeces, Dr Teo Boon Han, the president of the Singapore Veterinary Association, added. Common antibiotic-resistant bacteria which can spread between pets and humans include Fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA , an earlier paper found. Antibiotic misuse in pets With rising wealth levels, pet ownership in Singapore is on the rise. According to a Euromonitor International report, there were an estimated 114,000 pet dogs in the Republic in 2023 - a 3 per cent rise from 2019 . There were also around 94,000 pet cats in 2024, an almost 10 per cent increase from 2019 . Assistant Professor Zoe Hildon from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health , who contributed to the research paper, said: 'In Singapore, people are having fewe r children, and fur babies are a thing. 'There is a cultural shift - people are becoming much closer to their companion animals than previous generations, and they may even share the same bed.' With rising pet ownership and greater physical contact between owner and pet, domestic animals may increasingly become sources for zoonotic transmission of resistant bacterial pathogens. This study hence sought to examine antibiotic use patterns among local pet owners, in hopes of stemming the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria at its source . It found that 24 per cent of respondents used antibiotics inappropriately in their own treatment, while 34 per cent did so for their pets. This slight difference may be due to the difficulty in administering antibiotics in pets, said Dr Teo , who also contributed to the study. Dr Teo said: 'Compliance is a very big issue in the veterinary space - giving pills to pets can be a very stressful experience, and you also worry about the safety of the animal and human.' Dog owner Chantelle Lee , 24, hides her dog's medications in his treats. Ms Lee said: 'I've tried to mix his oral antibiotics into his food, but he sometimes rejects it. I'll instead hide it inside his favourite treats, which mostly cover up the taste of the medication.' Aside from difficulties in administering medicines, pet owners also face other challenges such as veterinary bills, transport costs and some inconveniences when caring for their sick pets. This could tempt some to cut corners, such as not taking their animals to seek medical care promptly or giving their pets expired medication. If owners do not drive, they would have to arrange for a special cab for their pet, Dr Teo said, and as pet care leave remains a rare perk in companies, they may also have to take a day off from work. Unlike a human's medical bills , veterinary costs are also not subsidised, and may not be covered under insurance, Dr Teo added. A trip to the vet sets her back anywhere between $200 and $3,000 , Ms Lee said, including fees for consultation, medication and additional medical procedures such as CT scans. Prof Hildon said: 'I personally think high costs may be why people might use leftover antibiotics, rather than go back to see the vet. They may think that it could cost them a lot just for the vet to say that they need to use the same antibiotic.' Those who misuse antibiotics in their own treatment, such as opting not to finish a prescription, are also 4.5 times more likely to do so when medicating their pets, the study found. This may allude to knowledge gaps among pet owners on proper antibiotic usage - for both themselves and their pets. Many survey respondents had a poor understanding of proper antibiotic use - one in three did not know how to correctly administer antibiotics for themselves, and one in two lacked the know-how to do so for their pets. For instance, 28 per cent of respondents thought it was acceptable to request antibiotics from doctors for their own treatment, while 37.5 per cent believed so for their pets. Though medical professionals are advised to be prudent in doling out antibiotics, the study found that owners who expected antibiotics were 12.1 times more likely to receive them from vets. Antibiotics may thus be used even in situations which do not require them, hence speeding up the process of AMR development. More education and outreach needed The survey results show that more education is needed, Dr Teo said, not just for pet owners, but also for health professionals like vets. Dr Teo said: 'Whether to prescribe antibiotics, it's a lot of clinical judgement, and vets definitely have an important role as the leading advocates for animal health and welfare.' Singapore's pet owners should also be forthcoming in learning how to use antibiotics correctly, when they are prescribed by vets. When in doubt, they are encouraged to talk to their trusted vets, Prof Chow said . A more holistic, One Health approach can also be taken in communicating the risks of AMR, Prof Hildon said, adding that while the bulk of public health messaging focuses on human health, there is a whole ecosystem that contributes to the perpetuation of AMR. She said: 'People have shied away from talking about the crossover of the AMR problem between sectors, because it seems so complex. 'But actually the message is quite simple: If you overuse or misuse antibiotics without asking your doctor or vet, they can stop working. And then when you really do need them, they may not work – that will be the same whether you're human, a cat or a dog.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
