Health Promotion Board

The Health Promotion Board (HPB) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore. The HPB was set up in 2001 with the vision of building a nation of fit and healthy Singaporeans.¹ It aims to empower individuals to attain optimal health throughout life by preventing illness, disability and premature death.² The HPB drives nationwide health promotion, education and prevention programmes targeting the healthy, those at-risk of diseases, and those with existing conditions, at various life stages.³

Background
The beginnings of preventive health in Singapore can be traced to the 1950s. At that time, diseases associated with poor nutrition and lack of sanitation were rife, and the postwar baby boom put further pressure on limited healthcare resources.⁴ The then-rudimentary health system centred on three main hospitals – General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Kandang Kerbau Maternity Hospital – supported by a network of maternal and child health clinics along with mobile dispensaries.⁵ The latter group of services had been introduced in 1951 to bring much-needed primary care to the largely-rural population.⁶ Health education went together with medical services as doctors, nurses and midwives instructed villagers on the importance of hygiene, proper child nutrition and immunisation in preventing disease.⁷

Recognising the need to step up preventive health, the first Health Education Council was formed in 1956. Comprising representatives from government agencies and voluntary bodies working on public health, the Council was tasked to provide educational materials, organise programmes and training, advice on health education, and coordinate the different groups involved.⁸ The Council carried out campaigns on nutrition, childcare, food hygiene, and immunisation against diphtheria and tuberculosis.⁹

After Singapore attained self-governance in 1959, the government reorganised the health services. The Health Education Council was dissolved, and all local medical services, including health education activities, came under the Public Health Division of the newly created MOH.¹⁰

Campaigns continued to be a key strategy in raising health awareness among the public.¹¹ In contrast to earlier health campaigns, the later decades saw a shift towards the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, through the combination of a balanced diet, regular exercise and tobacco avoidance.¹² Between the 1970s and 1990s, the MOH introduced campaigns such as the National Smoking Control Programme, National Healthy Lifestyle Programme and national nutrition programmes.¹³

Formation of the HPB
The focus of preventive health has evolved in response to new trends in diseases and demographic changes. As Singapore became a more affluent country, chronic diseases associated with a largely sedentary lifestyle and overly rich diets became more common.¹⁴ At the same time, the demand for and cost of healthcare services were expected to rise with an ageing population. A fit and healthy population is essential for healthcare to remain cost-effective in the long run, thereby reducing its reliance on medical services.¹⁵

To realise these outcomes, the government set up a new statutory board, the HPB, to provide a more focused and integrated approach to health promotion and disease prevention.¹⁶

The Health Promotion Board Act was passed on 22 February 2001.¹⁷ Officially inaugurated on 16 November 2001 by then Minister for Health, Lim Hng Kiang, the HPB consolidated the functions of several departments within the Public Health Division of MOH, namely National Health Education, Nutrition, School Health Service and School Dental Service.¹⁸ The nationwide health campaigns and programmes formerly organised by MOH came under the purview of HPB, and they remain cornerstones of the its work today.¹⁹

Key initiatives and developments
Since formation, the HPB has not only continued existing efforts in health education and disease prevention but also expanded its approach to target different population segments in school, workplace and community settings.²⁰ Grants and recognition awards are administered to encourage the efforts of health-promoting workplaces, schools and community groups.²¹

On nutrition, the HPB draws up policies and guidelines to encourage a healthier food environment. For instance, food products that meet HPB’s Healthier Choice nutrition guidelines can carry the Healthier Choice Symbol so that consumers can easily identify healthier options when grocery shopping or dining out.²² The HPB also partners with and offers funding assistance to food and beverage businesses looking to innovate healthier food items that are lower in fat, salt and sugar, or higher in fibre and calcium.²³

In the area of smoking control, the HPB’s work covers public education, smoking cessation support, fiscal policies, legislation and partnership.²⁴ Public education messages range from highlighting the risk of smoking-related diseases – notably through graphic health warnings showing diseased body parts on tobacco product packaging – to subtler appeals towards the benefits of not smoking.²⁵ The cultivation of peer support has become an important part of HPB’s strategy to help those who are already addicted. Launched in 2011, HPB’s iQuit programme is a community-based smoking cessation initiative where it aims to build a supportive network for smokers struggling to kick the habit.²⁶

From 2011 onwards, the HPB implemented a ground-up approach beyond publicity campaigns to emphasise 3P (People, Public, Private) partnerships.²⁷ The goal is to foster a health-promoting ecosystem where healthy living is accessible, affordable, and effortless to all Singaporeans.²⁸ This was underscored in the Healthy Living Master Plan, formulated by the HPB and MOH to provide a roadmap towards a healthy nation for Singapore by 2020.²⁹

With the introduction of the Health Ambassador Network in October 2011, the HPB recruited volunteers as mentors and facilitators for HPB programmes.³⁰ These volunteers have embraced healthy living and are eager to motivate others in doing the same through HPB’s programmes and activities.³¹

Over the last decade, the HPB has drawn on behavioural insights and 3P partnerships to create an environment that encourages healthy behaviours. To help make physical activity a part of everyday routine, the HPB has collaborated with the Land Transport Authority to expand the coverage of sheltered walkways and rest-stops near bus interchanges and train stations, as well as cycling paths.³² Then, to create more opportunities for exercise, the HPB teamed up with the National Parks Board, various town councils, shopping malls and offices, to organise group workout activities where people live and work.³³

The HPB has leveraged gamification to motivate the adoption of a healthy and active lifestyle, such as the National Steps Challenge and the Eat, Drink, Shop Healthy Challenge.³⁴ The former encourages participants to achieve a minimum level of daily physical activity, starting with 10,000 steps, while the latter allows shoppers to earn points for purchasing healthier food and beverage items, incentivising the switch to a healthier diet.³⁵

In 2022, MOH announced Healthier SG, a national healthcare strategy that emphasises preventive care and encourages individuals to take charge of their own health.³⁶



Author
Janice Loo



References
1. Health Promotion Board, Enhancing Health (Singapore: Health Promotion Board, 2001), 1 (Call no. RSING 613.095957 ENH); “About Us,” Health Promotion Board, accessed 18 February 2024.
2. Health Promotion Board, Enhancing Health, 1–5; Health Promotion Board, “About Us.”
3. Health Promotion Board, “About Us.”
4. Health Promotion Board, 10 Years of Inspiring Healthy Living (Singapore: Health Promotion Board, 2012), 18. (Call no. RSING 613.095957 SIN)
5. Chew Ling et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved (Singapore: World Scientific, 2015), 185. (Call no. RSING 362.1095957 SIN)
6. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” 185.
7. Chew et al., “Health promotion – Our Journey,” 185; Health Promotion Board, 10 Years of Inspiring Healthy Living, 21.
8. Health Promotion Board, 10 Years of Inspiring Healthy Living, 21; “Government to Set Up Health Council,” Straits Times, 2 June 1956, 7 (From NewspaperSG).
9. “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 185.
10. “Health council is dissolved,” Straits Times, 18 September 1959, 2 (From NewspaperSG); Health Promotion Board, 10 Years of Inspiring Healthy Living, 21.
11. Health Promotion Board, Enhancing Health, 5; Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 189–90.
12. Health Promotion Board, 10 Years of Inspiring Healthy Living, 21, 36, 43; Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 184–85, 189–90; William A. Haseltine, Affordable Excellence: The Singapore Healthcare Story (Singapore: Ridge Books, 2013), 9 (Call no. RSING 338.433621 HAS)
13. Health Promotion Board, Enhancing Health, 5; Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 190–94.
14. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 184, 190.
15. Ministry of Health, Affordable Healthcare: A White Paper (Singapore: Ministry of Health, 1993), 1–2, 12, 14, 16–17. (Call no. RSING q338.4336211095957 SIN)
16. Lim Hng Kiang, “Speech by Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Health and Second Minister for Finance, at the inauguration of Health Promotion Board on Friday 16 November at 3.35 pm,” transcript, Ministry of Information and the Arts. (From National Archives of Singapore document no. 2001111602); Health Promotion Board, Enhancing Health, 5; Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 195.
17. Chuang Peck Ming, “Three Statutory Boards Get Parliament Nod,” Business Times, 23 February 2001, 10 (From NewspaperSG); Salma Khalik, “New Stat Board to Promote Health,” Straits Times, 23 February 2001, 1 (From NewspaperSG)
18. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 195; “New Stat Board to Push Health Education,” Straits Times, 2 April 2000, 1 (From NewspaperSG); Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2001 (Singapore: Health Promotion Board, 2001), 8. (From National Archives of Singapore)
19. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 195–96; Health Promotion Board, “About Us.”
20. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 196.
21. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 196
22. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 196; ‘Healthier Choice Symbol,” Health Promotion Board, accessed 18 February 2024
23. Health Promotion Board, 10 years of Inspiring Healthy Living, 57–58; Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2006/2007 (Singapore: Health Promotion Board, 2007), 10 (From National Archives of Singapore); ‘Healthier Dining Programme,” Health Promotion Board, accessed 18 February 2024.
24. Health Promotion Board, 10 years of Inspiring Healthy Living, 76.
25. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 194.
26. Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2011/2012, 50 (From National Archives of Singapore); Health Promotion Board, 10 Years of Inspiring Healthy Living, 76–77.
27. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 197–200; Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2010/2011 (Singapore: Health Promotion Board, 2011), 4–7 (From National Archives of Singapore); Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2011/2012, 8. (From National Archives of Singapore)
28. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 197–200; Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2013/2014 (Singapore: Health Promotion Board, 2014), 8–9. (From National Archives of Singapore)
29. Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2013/2014, 7 (From National Archives of Singapore); Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board, Healthy Living Master Plan, April 2014, 6.
30. Chew et al., “Health Promotion – Our Journey,” in Singapore’s Health Care System – What 50 Years Have Achieved, 197; Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2011/2012, 19 (From National Archives of Singapore); Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2015/2016 (Singapore: Health Promotion Board, 2016), 42 (From National Archives of Singapore)
31. “Health Ambassadors,” Health Promotion Board, accessed 18 February 2024; “Join us as Health Ambassadors,” Health Promotion Board, accessed 18 February 2024.
32. Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2013/2014, 17. (From National Archives of Singapore)
33. Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2019/2020 (Singapore: Health Promotion Board, 2014), 24–26 (From National Archives of Singapore); ‘MOVE IT Programmes,” Health Promotion Board, accessed 18 February 2024.
34. Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2015/2016, 4–5. (From National Archives of Singapore)
35. Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2015/2016, 22–23 (From National Archives of Singapore); Health Promotion Board, Health Promotion Board Annual Report 2017/2018 (Singapore: Health Promotion Board, 2018), 18. (From National Archives of Singapore)
36. ‘White Paper on Healthier SG,” Ministry of Health, accessed 18 February 2024.



The information in this article is valid as of February 2024 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.