Singaporeans moving toward healthier lifestyles – Survey
Singaporeans are adopting healthier habits, with more people exercising and getting screened while smoking rates fall to a record low, according to the Ministry of Health’s National Population Health Survey 2024. The recently published survey also reported a strong recovery in health screenings and vaccinations, both returning to or surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
The study found that total physical activity rose from 78.5% in 2023 to 84.7% in 2024, largely driven by walking and commuting. Screening rates for chronic diseases and cancers have also rebounded, and uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations increased sharply.
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Daily smoking rates dropped from 8.8% to 8.4% in the past year, continuing a steady decline since 2019. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension remain stable, but hyperlipidaemia cases have decreased. However, about one in three adults still live with high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Obesity is rising, with 12.7 % of residents now classified as obese compared with 10.5% in 2019 – 2020. The Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board are expanding initiatives to promote healthy diets and physical activity, including the Nutri-Grade labelling system and the Healthy 365 mobile app, used by more than 800,000 residents each month.
The survey also revealed that one in four young adults experience poor mental health, though more people are now open to seeking help. Efforts such as the “First Stops for Mental Health” and the national mindline 1771 hotline aim to make support more accessible.
Authorities said maintaining regular exercise, healthy diets, stress management, and smoking cessation remain key to preventing chronic diseases. The government plans to sustain public health programmes to help residents take greater ownership of their well-being.
Category: Education
