Media Relations for Diabetes Awareness Campaign in Singapore

The health promotion board of Singapore conducted an educative campaign to raise awareness about diabetes and encourage early detection and management. A new test tool was launched to conduct self-assessment on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The article also highlights the background of diabetes in Singapore and its impact on the economy. FAQs on diabetes screening and treatment are also provided.

Running head: MEDIA RELATIONS 1
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MEDIA RELATIONS 2
Article 1
A. Issue analysis
Title: Diabetes beware campaign
Commissioned by: health promotion board, Singapore
Key message
An educative campaign was conducted by the health promotion board of Singapore to
educate the country’s citizen about the diabetes disease. The most common type of diabetes
affecting most people if Singapore is diabetes mellitus and if not controlled and managed well,
can be a fast cause of blindness, lower limb amputations, heart-related complications like heart
attack and stroke, cases of kidney failure and death.
Overview and relevance to the audience
According to this article, diabetes occurring majorly in the adult who still suffer from
obesity, are likely to have the type 2 form of diabetes. The world health organization conducted a
survey that indicated that more than 180 million people have diabetes and thus a focus shows if
the case is not controlled, by 2030 the number is likely to increase by double. Singapore is
ranked seventh when it comes to a country with many deaths caused by diabetes and therefore
it's very relevant that citizen to this country is informed and educated concerning the disease.
The campaign aimed at encouraging early detection via frequent screening on the willing
individual and encourage optimal management of the disease to the adult’s patients who already
have diabetes. (Diabetes Be a-Ware Campaign 2017)
B. Media release:
Target audience: adults (both infected and uninfected)
Key messages
1. Diabetes is one of the deadly disease leading to many deaths in Singapore. It’s very
necessary that our citizens by the help of the national government be made aware on the
causes of diabetes, ways of preventing it, and for the infected be educated on how they
can manage the disease.
2. The educative campaign Is set to kick off on7th of June 2008 at the evening time. The
venue will be at Suntec city mall and the guest of honor Dr. Senior Parliamentary
Secretary (Health and Manpower) Mr. Hawazi Daipi will be officially launching the
event. There shall be interactive exhibition stages for two months, June and July that are
aimed at engaging the public on the topic concerning diabetes.
The story shall be widely covered in the health hub YouTube channel as well as the health
promotion board, Singapore official website.

MEDIA RELATIONS 3
Article 2
A. Issue analysis
Title: the launch of new test tool in the fight against diabetes
Commissioned by: health promotion board, Singapore.
Key message
Diabetes is one of the many diseases that are leading to many deaths in Singapore. Many victims
are not normally aware if they are suffering from that disease until signs and symptoms appear
when it’s too late. Its due to that, the health promotion board in collaboration with other health
agencies through innovative research have come up with a new test tool for diabetes.
Overview and relevance to the audience
This article is aimed at educating the target audience on matters diabetes, its stages and how one
can undertake diabetes test with the help of new test tool as a way of fighting against diabetes.
The tool will be used to conduct a self-access on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (Lee
2000) After the test is undertaken, those infected are advised to seek medical attention
immediately. The test takes only two minutes. Factors taken into consideration are age, weight
and individual history of hypertension. According to the guest of honor in his speech during the
launch of the test tool, each individual is responsible for their own health. health comes firsts and
everyone should take the initiative in helping when it comes to spreading the news to the rest of
the Singapore citizens. This will help in maintaining healthy living for everybody. (Leong 2017)
Media release
Target audience: adults
Key messages
1. Health is someone’s responsibility and concern. One should regularly undergo diabetes
test with the new diabetes test tool.
2. Those who are found to be at risk are encouraged to go for a health screening under the
enhanced Screen for Life (SLF) subsidy
3. The health professionals have a major role to play when it comes delivering effective
interventions as a way of helping diabetic patients
4. Eligible Singaporeans who receive the SLF subsidy will pay a fixed fee of $5, while
Community Health Assist Scheme cardholders will pay $2. The health screening is free
for pioneers.
The whole story can be found on our website https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/hpb-launches-
new-test-tool-fight-against-diabetes

MEDIA RELATIONS 4
Article 3
A. Issue analysis
Title: background of diabetes in Singapore
Commissioned by: health promotion board. Singapore.
Key message
Among the developed countries, Singapore is confirmed to be one of the countries having the
highest cases of diabetes after the unites states. A survey conducted showed that one person aged
between 18 to 70, is diabetic in a group of nine people. The reason behind the high number of
high cases of diabetes is that lack of awareness, leading to many people and more so aged people
suffering from the disease without their knowledge. Managing the disease is therefore impossible
in such cases. (Khalik,2009)
Overview and relevance to the audience
Globally, a survey conducted indicated that approximate of 450,000 grown-ups are
victims of diabetes. Diabetes has been announced as an illness that results to death alongside
other problems such as heart attack, loss of sight and kidney complications such as kidney
failures which are only treated via transplant or an infected whole life dialysis.
Another survey showed that an approximate of 12 to 14 percent of adults are suffering
from pre-diabetes. This means in a period estimated about three, in a group of three, one will be
a victim of diabetes. Indians are prone to this incidence with a high rate ranging 17.2 percent
affected. The Malays and Chinese follow with after the Indians.
B. Media release
Target audience: adults in Singapore
Key messages
1. An expected rise in the number of diabetic patients If nothing is done
2. How will the cost of controlling diabetes in the country affect the country’s economy if
nothing Is done?
More information can be got from:( The Straits Times, ‘National Day Rally: 3 Key Issues.
Singapore’s war on Diabetes, Aug 20th, 2017)

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C. Frequently asked a question(FAQs)
From the media articles released by the health promotion board Singapore, the following
are the frequently asked question for the three of my selected articles,
a. What types of directories are listed in the health promotion board, Singapore
directory? The following are offered, nutrition, mental health state, and diabetes
screening
b. What are the major causes of diabetes? Diabetes is caused by environmental
genes and viruses
c. How can diabetes be treated? Medication as prescribed by doctor or physician
d. How much does diabetes screening cost? It's free of charge
e. can someone undertake a diabetes test alone? It’s advisable it is administered by a
medical practitioner
f. how long does the new test tool take to give the result? Only two minutes
g. which group of people Is prone to diabetes? The adults and the aged
h. which other diseases are related to diabetes? Hypertension

MEDIA RELATIONS 6
References
Diabetes Be a-Ware Campaign. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.hpb.gov.sg/article/diabetes-
be-a-ware-campaign
Leong, A. (2017) HPB launches new test tool in fight against diabetes.
Retrieved from https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/hpb-launches-new-test-tool-fight-
against-diabetes
KHALIK, S. (2009.). 3 key issues at National Day Rally 2017: Singapore's war on diabetes.
Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spores-war-on-diabetes
Lee, W. R. W. (2000). The changing demography of diabetes mellitus in Singapore. Diabetes
research and clinical practice, 50, S35-S39.