Are we getting healthier? Trends of Chronic Diseases in Singapore
Introduction
Every year, the National Population Health Survey is conducted and health and risk factors along with lifestyle practices of Singapore residents are tracked. This blog will highlight the key findings related to chronic diseases specifically high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood cholesterol and obesity. Here’s an overview if you do not have time to read the entire article.
Statistics Singapore Newsletter Issue 1, 2022
High blood pressure
The definition of hypertension or high blood pressure is when blood pressure is above 140/90 consistently. This may be performed by using a BP monitoring device commonly used in clinics which can also be purchased to use at home. The prevalence of hypertension rose between 2017 and 2020 from 24.2% to 35.5% which is more than a third of the population. The prevalence is also higher for males compared to females ( 41% vs 30.2%).
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood stream that is caused by insufficient insulin ( Type 1 diabetes ) or the body reduces its response to insulin ( Type 2 diabetes). It may lead to other diseases such as kidney failure, heart disease and stroke. The prevalence of diabetes rose from 8.8% in 2017 to 9.5% in 2020. As with hypertension, the prevalence rates were higher in males (10.6%) than females (8.4%).
High Blood Cholesterol
The 3rd musketeer of the “ 3 Highs” - high blood cholesterol is diagnosed with a blood test. Along with hypertension and diabetes, it becomes a risk factor for coronary heart disease. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia ( high blood cholesterol) also rose from 2017 from 35.5% to 39.5% in 2020. Among the genders, males fared poorer than females in this area.
Obesity
Obesity is defined by having a BMI > 30 and high risk overweight defined by BMI > 27 and is characterized by having excessive amounts of body fat accumulation. The good news is that the prevalence of obesity has reduced to levels we have seen in 2016 ( 10.5 %). However, the bad news is that the prevalence of overweight patients rose from 18.7% in 2017 to 20.7% in 2020.
Summary
Overall, with regards to these 4 chronic conditions, SIngapore can do better. All these diseases can be managed with lifestyle modifications and can very well be prevented if we live the way our bodies were designed to.
Reference
1. https://www.singstat.gov.sg/-/media/files/publications/society/ssn122-pg10-14.ashx
