What You Need To Know About Singapore’s Disease Burden and Health Trends

This post was originally posted on Planner Bee.

How healthy is Singapore?

Have you ever wondered how the health of a nation affects your daily life? Whether it’s the rising cost of healthcare or the growing number of people you know dealing with chronic conditions, health trends impact all of us.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) monitors disease trends to ensure that the country’s health system can meet these challenges head-on. This ongoing surveillance is key to identifying emerging issues, directing resources efficiently, and shaping policies to protect and improve the well-being of all Singaporeans. By tracking what’s known as the “disease burden” — the combined physical, mental, and economic impact of health conditions — Singapore can develop strategies to reduce long-term healthcare costs, boost productivity, and improve the quality of life for its residents.

In this article, we’ll explore the findings from the MOH on the nation’s disease burden with a focus on chronic and infectious diseases, their impact across different age groups, the financial strain they impose, and what’s being done to address these issues. We’ll also look ahead at what more can be done to create a healthier Singapore.

Key health metrics and disease prevalence

Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs): Measuring disease burden

A key measure used to understand Singapore’s health challenges is Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), which quantify both years of life lost due to early death and years lived with illness or disability. This comprehensive metric helps health authorities and policymakers target diseases that have the greatest impact on both the quality and longevity of life.

However, understanding disease prevalence rates is another important aspect of tracking health trends. The Ministry of Health tracks several key chronic conditions in Singapore, which are major contributors to the country’s disease burden.

Chronic conditions

Chronic diseases are a leading cause of disease burden in Singapore, with diabetes, heart disease, and cancer being the most prevalent. Diabetes is often driven by lifestyle factors like poor diet, inactivity, and ageing. This can result in serious complications such as kidney failure and high healthcare costs. Heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, as well as smoking remain a major cause of death, though improved medical care has helped lower mortality rates. Cancer is also a prevalent health issue, with colorectal, lung, and breast cancer the most common.

Understanding Singapore’s disease burden and health trends (1990-2017)

The disease burden in Singapore, measured by Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), gives a clear picture of the country’s health challenges over time. DALYs combine two key factors: Years of Life Lost (YLLs) due to early death and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs). This metric helps us understand both the impact of diseases that cause early death and those that lead to long-term disability.

From 1990 to 2017, Singapore experienced a steady decline in age-standardised DALYs per 100,000 people for both men and women. Despite this progress, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the main health concern. This makes up 80% of the total disease burden.

Within NCDs, cardiovascular diseases are the biggest contributor, accounting for 14.2% of total DALYs. Next are cancers (13.4%), musculoskeletal disorders (12.6%), and mental disorders (10.2%). Cardiovascular diseases and cancers mainly lead to early deaths, while musculoskeletal and mental disorders cause long-term disabilities.

This data highlights a key challenge for Singapore’s healthcare system: managing chronic and disabling conditions over the long term. While Singapore has successfully reduced early deaths, NCDs that cause lasting disabilities are on the rise. This trend shows the need for policies that emphasise prevention, early treatment, and support for people living with chronic health issues.

Top health challenges in Singapore: Key risk factors in 2017

A closer look at Singapore’s health risk factors in 2017 reveals the primary contributors to the country’s disease burden, measured by age-standardised DALYs per 100,000 people. By comparing Singapore with other regions, such as East Asia, Southeast Asia, and high-income countries, these insights highlight the areas where Singapore’s health profile aligns with or diverges from global trends.

Key findings:

1. High blood pressure and dietary risks: These are the leading contributors to Singapore’s disease burden, closely mirroring levels seen in high-income countries. This indicates that diet and hypertension are central health concerns for Singaporeans.
2. Tobacco use and high body mass index (BMI): Smoking and high BMI also contribute to Singapore’s DALYs. It exceeds the averages in comparison regions, which calls for the need for preventive measures.
3. Lower impact of alcohol and drug use: Unlike many global regions where alcohol and drug use are substantial risk factors, these contribute relatively little to Singapore’s overall disease burden. This suggests that substance use is less prevalent or has a less severe impact on health outcomes in Singapore compared to other regions.
4. Environmental factors: Air pollution remains a moderate health risk in Singapore. While its impact is less pronounced than in Southeast Asia, air quality issues still play a role in Singapore’s disease burden.

Singapore’s leading health risk factors mirror those seen in many high-income countries, where chronic, lifestyle-driven risks—such as high blood pressure, diet, and obesity—play a prominent role.

Increasing focus on mental health conditions

In Singapore, conditions like depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders are becoming more prevalent, especially among young people and the elderly. The stigma surrounding mental health still exists, though there has been progress in recent years in raising awareness and expanding access to mental health services.

For example, initiatives like Project Silver Screen help to address the mental well-being of older adults, while schools and workplaces are increasing efforts to recognise and support mental health care for youth and working adults.

Keeping the threat at bay

Infectious diseases remain a threat despite the global focus on chronic diseases. The Covid-19 pandemic was a stark reminder of how quickly an infectious disease can disrupt lives and economies. In Singapore, the government’s swift response to the pandemic was credited with keeping mortality rates low, but infectious diseases like dengue fever remain ongoing concerns.

Read more: A Guide to Mental Health Insurance in Singapore

Demographic impact

Ageing population: Challenges for healthcare

Singapore is one of the most rapidly ageing societies in the world, with the number of elderly citizens (aged 65 and above) expected to double by 2030. An ageing population leads to higher rates of chronic diseases such as dementia, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular conditions. This demographic shift places immense pressure on healthcare infrastructure, and long-term care services will need to expand to meet future demands.

The government has introduced initiatives like the Pioneer Generation Package to help elderly citizens manage healthcare costs, but addressing the health needs of this ageing group will require a sustained and long-term effort.

Other efforts include Healthier SG on preventive health to empower Singaporeans to take charge of their well-being. Through this national initiative by the Ministry of Health, individuals are encouraged to manage their health proactively, prevent chronic diseases, and access trusted care from family doctors.

The rise of lifestyle diseases

On the other end of the spectrum, younger Singaporeans are facing a different set of challenges. Unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and high levels of stress have led to an increase in lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. This shift is concerning, as chronic diseases are affecting people earlier in life, meaning they will live with these conditions for longer, compounding the individual and societal costs.

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Economic and social costs of disease burden

Healthcare spending

Managing long-term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease requires frequent medical visits, medication, and sometimes hospitalisation. This increase in healthcare spending is a concern for the government and for individuals and families, many of whom face rising out-of-pocket costs.

MOH continues to refine its subsidy schemes to ensure that healthcare remains affordable. Programmes like MediShield Life and CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) are designed to help Singaporeans manage these costs, but as the disease burden grows, so too will the financial demands on the system.

The hidden cost of workforce productivity

Chronic diseases and mental health issues also take a toll on workforce productivity. People who live with these conditions often experience presenteeism (being at work but not fully productive due to illness) or absenteeism, which can lead to decreased productivity. Over time, the economic impact of a less healthy workforce can be significant, affecting businesses and the overall economy.

Government initiatives

War on diabetes and health campaigns

Singapore’s government has been proactive in tackling the health challenges the country faces. The War on Diabetes is one of the most well-known initiatives to target diabetes prevention through lifestyle changes and early diagnosis. Similarly, public campaigns encouraging smoking cessation, healthier eating, and regular physical activity are all part of the government’s broader efforts to improve public health.

Community healthcare programmes

Community-based programs also play a key role in addressing disease burden. For example, the Silver Generation Office (SGO) reaches out to seniors to ensure they receive the care they need. These types of initiatives make healthcare more accessible and reduce the strain on hospital systems by providing support at the community level.

Read more: Health Insurance in Singapore: All You Need To Know

Future strategies

Digital health and telemedicine

The future of healthcare in Singapore will likely see an increased focus on digital health. Telemedicine and mobile health apps are already gaining popularity, where individuals can learn to manage chronic diseases from the comfort of their homes. These technologies make healthcare more convenient and can help reduce the strain on physical healthcare infrastructure.

Early screening and preventive care

Early detection and preventive care are among the most effective ways to reduce the long-term burden of chronic diseases. Programmes like Screen for Life aim to catch diseases like cancer and diabetes in their early stages when treatment is most effective.

Chronic diseases, mental health issues, and infectious diseases each pose their challenges, but with proactive policies, a focus on prevention, and the use of digital tools, Singapore is well-positioned to reduce its disease burden and improve the well-being of its population. The journey towards better health is ongoing, but by working together, we can ensure a healthier future for all.