Diabetes in Singapore

Running head: DIABETES IN SINGAPORE 1
Diabetes in Singapore
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Running head: DIABETES IN SINGAPORE 2
Explanation and definition of health priority
Diabetes is a condition where either the kidneys does not produce insulin or the body is
insensitive to insulin. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The risk factors
for diabetes include genetics, environmental factors and obesity. It is one of the leading causes of
death in Singapore with studies noting that 3.3% of deaths in 2006 was as a result of diabetes.
This rates are expected to double by 2030 (Talaei, Pan, Yuan, & Koh, 2018). This facts are
significant and it is therefore important that different stakeholders come up with health
promotion plans to address diabetes in Singapore.
Relevance of the diabetes to current health priority
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in Singapore. A recent report published by
the Ministry of health in Singapore indicate that it is the 10th leading cause of death in the
country with over 400,000 youths dying in 2012. The World Health Organization on the other
hand report that 346,000,000 people are suffering from diabetes worldwide (Zainudin, Ang, &
Soh, 2017). This facts and figures are significant and there is the need for health promotion to
reduce this rates.
The target group
The rate of diabetes among adults in Singapore has increased from 8.6% to 11.3% in
2015 (Zainudin, Ang, & Soh, 2017). Studies show that childhood obesity is likely to progress
even in adulthood. The health promotion plan will therefore target children or youths between 12
and 20 years in order to address diabetes in future.

Running head: DIABETES IN SINGAPORE 3
Overview of key debates and issues around diabetes in Singapore
There are several issues surrounding diabetes in Singapore. Recent reports suggest that a
third of the population in the country is likely to experience diabetes in their lifetime. This
disease costs the government approximately $1 billion a year (Zainudin, Ang, & Soh, 2017). The
Government has therefore launched the war on the disease. However, the key debate is how to
address the problem. While a section of stakeholders feel that it should target the children, others
feel that it should target adults since they are the most affected.
Health determinants of diabetes
Social determinants such as income, education, housing and access to nutritious food
determines the rate of diabetes in Singapore. Studies elaborate that access to healthy foods
reduce diabetes. Same to education and income. In order to address or prevent diabetes, it is
therefore important to address such determinants of diabetes.
How dimensions/elements of wellbeing are affected
Diabetes has different effects on the well-being of patients. It leads to psychosocial
problems due to the stress that is associated with diabetes (Subramaniam et al., 2019).
Furthermore, amputation of the lower limbs also means that individuals cannot engage in daily
activities.
Suggestions and discussion around health promotion
Since studies suggest that diabetes develops from childhood, this health promotion plan
seeks to address the problem among the youths. Studies elaborate that majority of the youths
have access to internet and social media (Siaw, Tai, & Lee, 2016). Using this approach therefore