Singapore’s Mixed Health Picture: Progress Amidst Rising Obesity and Mental Health Concerns
Singapore’s latest National Population Health Survey (NPHS) paints a nuanced picture: residents are generally healthier and more health-conscious, with improvements in physical activity, screening rates, and reduction in certain chronic conditions. Yet two critical public health challenges—rising obesity rates and poorer mental health—demand urgent, nationwide attention. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung warned that these issues are particularly pronounced among younger adults, underscoring the need for targeted interventions as part of Singapore’s broader public health strategy.
Obesity on the Rise, Especially Among Young Adults
The 2024 NPHS shows obesity prevalence at 12.7% for 2023–2024, up from 10.5% four years earlier. The situation is more alarming for the 18–29 age group, where obesity nearly doubled, rising from 6.6% to 11.6%. Health Minister Ong described this trend as a reflection of modern lifestyles—busier, more sedentary, and increasingly digital—that amplify health risks. The data come from health examinations conducted between July 2022 and August 2024 and reflect the health status of residents aged 18–74.
Policy responses include Nutri-Grade labeling on beverages and a plan to extend nutrition labeling to foods and cooking ingredients that contribute to high sodium or saturated fat intake. By mid-2027, the Ministry of Health (MOH) aims to broaden these requirements to prepacked salt, sauces, seasoning mixes, instant noodles, and cooking oil, encouraging better dietary choices across households.
Mental Health: A Growing Priority
About 15% of Singaporeans report poor mental health, with the burden most pronounced among youths. Among 18–29 year-olds, roughly one in four report poor mental health, the highest among all age groups surveyed. In response, the government has ramped up mental health support, including the national MindLine (1771), offering round-the-clock assistance via phone, text, and online chat. The Ministry of Health notes a meaningful shift: willingness to seek help has risen, and informal support networks have grown—from 78.4% in 2023 to 81.8% in 2024 for those willing to reach out. These developments indicate a cultural shift toward destigmatizing mental health care and leveraging community support systems.
Encouraging Trends in Population Health
Beyond obesity and mental health, the NPHS highlights gains in lifestyle and screening measures. Total physical activity levels have rebounded to pre-pandemic norms, and disease screening rates rose to 66.4% in the latest data, up from a low during the pandemic years. Hypertension and diabetes prevalence remained relatively stable, while hyperlipidaemia dropped sharply from 39.1% to 30.5%, suggesting improvements in cardiovascular risk profiles.
Mid-career and older adults showed heart-related improvements as smoking rates continued to decline—down to 8.4% in 2023, a record low. Vaccination coverage also improved, with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines rising notably in 2024, reflecting stronger preventive care uptake.
A Long-Term Health Strategy: Healthier SG and Beyond
Health Minister Ong emphasizes that building population health is a marathon, not a sprint. Strengthening primary care and community collaboration remains central to Healthier SG’s long-term goals. Professor Teo Yik Ying of the National University of Singapore cautions that Singapore’s tech-savvy, highly connected society faces ongoing risks—from vaping and social media influences to ultra-processed foods and misinformation. The NPHS results are encouraging signals, but sustaining momentum is essential to delay or prevent debilitating diseases caused by lifestyle factors.
New Telehealth Hub to Expand Access
As a concrete step to widen access to care, SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP) announced the creation of its first Telehealth Hub at Eunos Polyclinic, slated to begin operations in early 2026. The hub will deploy ten telehealth pods across SHP’s network, enabling patients to consult doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals from home during the first year. The initiative aims to reduce in-clinic visits, freeing space for those needing in-person care while expanding virtual care capabilities.
Looking Ahead
With obesity and mental health as current focal points, Singapore’s health strategy seeks to balance immediate prevention with long-term risk reduction. The NPHS confirms that progress is possible when policy, primary care, and community engagement converge. The challenge now is to translate these gains into sustained behavior change, supporting healthier choices across all ages—especially the next generation.
