15th June, 2023
Disease prevention and screening
In Singapore, disease prevention and screening are key components of the healthcare system. Several programs and services actively support and engage with these issues to promote early detection, prevention, and management of diseases.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) is a key health organisation in Singapore which oversees a multitude of initiatives that encourage health education, promotion, and disease prevention (Health Promotion Board, 2023). The purpose of HPB is to “empower Singaporeans to attain optimal health, increase the quality and years of healthy life and prevent illness, disability and premature death” (Health Promotion Board, 2023). Ultimately HPB aims to ‘create a Health-supportive environment’ for Singaporeans (Health Promotion Board, 2023). HPB organizes various health screening programs to identify risk factors and promote early detection of diseases (Health Promotion Board, 2023). These screenings cover a wide range of conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. The screenings are often conducted at community centres, workplaces, and schools to reach a broader population (Health Promotion Board, 2023).
One notable campaign organised by HPB is the National Steps Challenge which is a nationwide physical activity program aimed at encouraging Singaporeans to lead active lifestyles (National Steps Challenge, 2021). By simply downloading the Healthy 365 smartphone app, citizens aged 17 and over can clock in their steps and earn rewards for working towards increasing their physical activity (Health Hub, 2022). This promotes disease prevention through regular exercise, which can reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases (Health Hub, 2022).
Another HPB initiative is the Screen for Life (SFL) program which provides affordable and accessible screening services for chronic diseases. It offers subsidized screenings for conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases for $5 or less (Health Promotion Board, 2023). SFL also conducts public awareness campaigns to encourage Singaporeans to go for regular screenings (Health Promotion Board, 2023).
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) is run by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and it aims to make medical and dental care more affordable to lower- and middle-income Singaporeans (Community Health Assist Scheme, 2023). The scheme provides subsidies for eligible citizens to be used at participating General Practitioners and Dental clinics (Community Health Assist Scheme, 2023). The individual’s household income dictates the number of benefits they can receive (Community Health Assist Scheme, 2023)
These services in Singapore demonstrate the country's commitment to disease prevention and screening. By actively engaging with these initiatives, Singapore aims to empower individuals to take control of their health, promote early detection of diseases, and reduce the burden of healthcare costs through preventive measures.
Reference list
Community Health Assist Scheme. (2023). About the Scheme. [online] Available at: https://www.chas.sg/about-the-scheme [Accessed 15 Jun. 2023].
Health Hub. (2022). National Steps Challenge. [online] Available at: https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/37/nsc?utm_source=HPB&utm_medium=NSCprogtab&utm_campaign=NSC6&utm_content=HPBcrossmarketing [Accessed 15 Jun. 2023].
Health Promotion Board. (2021). National Steps Challenge. [online] Available at: https://hpb.gov.sg/healthy-living/physical-activity/National-Steps-Challenge [Accessed 15 Jun. 2023].
Health Promotion Board. (2023). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.hpb.gov.sg/about/about-us [Accessed 15 Jun. 2023].
Health Promotion Board. (2023). Health Screening. [online] Available at: https://hpb.gov.sg/healthy-living/preventive-health/screenforlife [Accessed 15 Jun. 2023].