The idea of a centenarian – a person who has reached (or even surpassed) the age of 100 – once seemed improbable, like something out of a science fiction movie, where technology could attain feats beyond the human imagination. However, in 2020, the number of centenarians in Singapore doubled from 700 in 2010 to 1500[1]. This remarkable growth challenged our preconceived ideas about longevity and raised hopes that we might significantly extend human life expectancy. Building on this optimism, Laura Carstensen of Stanford University suggested that half of the five-year-olds […]
Read More >HEALTH
Understanding Mental Health in the Malay-Muslim Community
In recent years, public discourses on topics related to mental health have become increasingly popular within Singapore society and the local Malay-Muslim community. However, such increases have not lessened the stigmatisation and discrimination towards people with mental illnesses. A study conducted in 2016 revealed that Malays had higher prejudice and misconception towards mental illness but also noted that they also have greater tolerance for individuals with mental health issues.[1] Another study published in the same year also found that the Malay community’s knowledge of mental health is still lacking and […]
Read More >
First Pregnancy at Advanced Maternal Age
Pregnancy, for many, is ideally a planned one and looked upon as a precious and intimate journey for a woman. Every pregnancy is different. The time, finances, and emotions invested are unique to every pregnant woman. This is even more so for those who are pregnant for the first time at an older age. Most times, it can bring about anxiety and worry amidst the excitement of the pregnancy. In this day and age, we do see a trend of women getting pregnant at a later age[1].
Read More >
COVID-19, Pandemics & Vaccinations
More than a year has passed since the first cluster of COVID-19 infection was reported in a province in China. That first cluster occurred just around the time of a festive season that traditionally had many people going home to spend time with their loved ones or travel overseas for holidays. This contributed to more clusters occurring elsewhere around the world, leading to what has now become a global pandemic.
Read More >
Taking Charge of Our Health
Several years ago, when I was in working in the healthcare sector, I was struck by a set of statistics that were attributed to the Malay community. According to findings from the National Health Survey that was conducted in 2010, obesity is most prominent among the Malays here. The data showed an increase from 11 per cent in 1992 to 24 per cent in 2010[1].
Read More >
Clearing the Misconceptions about Vaccinations
The practice of immunisation dates back hundreds of years. Buddhist monks drank snake venom to confer immunity to snake bites and variolation (smearing of a skin tear with cowpox to confer immunity to smallpox) was practised in 17th century China. Edward Jenner was considered the founder of vaccinology in the West in 1796 when he inoculated a 13-year-old-boy with cowpox and demonstrated immunity to smallpox.
Read More >
Singaporean Malays’ Lifestyle Habits and Health Outcomes: A Gendered Perspective
The health issues of the Malay community in Singapore are often painted through ethnicised lenses by local mainstream media as compared to those of other ethnic communities. Citing statistics from the National Disease Registry, reports from mainstream media frequently reveal that the Malay community suffers from the highest incidence of chronic diseases including strokes, kidney failures and heart attacks.
Read More >
Obsessions, Compulsions, Depression and the Muslim Community: Reflections from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016
Mental illness and Muslims interface in unique circumstances. In the Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS 2016) completed in 2018, researchers from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has found that those of Malay ethnicity has higher odds of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). (For the convenience of this article, Malay ethnicity has been taken as representative of the local Muslim community.)
Read More >
Misunderstood Minds: Living with Mental Illness
Disorders of the mind are among the most misunderstood and can have a devastating impact on a person’s quality of life. According to the latest nationwide study spearheaded by the Institute of Mental Health in 2016, 1 in 7 people in Singapore has experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime. Mental illness is a general term for a group of illnesses that may include symptoms that can affect a person’s thinking, perceptions, mood or behaviour and can strike anyone at any time, making it difficult for the person to cope […]
Read More >
Health Supplements – Do You Really Need Them?
Most of us find it difficult to catch our breath and smell the roses while living in this breakneck pace of life in Singapore. We have deadlines and targets to meet, or errands to run, sometimes at the expense of our well-being. Occasionally, we are stopped in our tracks when we start feeling slightly under the weather. In our usual true fashion, we look for quick cures and easy solutions just so we can get the all-important work done.
Read More >