Abstract
SummaryBoth living and working environments have a substantial influence on promoting healthy living habits. A holistic and accurate assessment of the community health-promoting practices is important to identify gaps and to make continuous, tangible improvements. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of the Singapore community health-promoting practices. The community health-promoting practices in all residential zones of an electoral constituency were assessed based on a composite health promotion scoring system comprising of 44 measurable elements under the 5 domains of community support and resources; healthy behaviours; chronic conditions; mental health; and common medical emergencies. An alphabetical grading system was used based on the score ranges: grade ‘A’ (75% and above), grade ‘B’ (60% to below 75%), grade ‘C’ (50% to below 60%) and grade ‘D’ (below 50%). The community health-promoting practices were graded ‘D’ with an overall average score of 41%. The constituency achieved grade ‘C’ (59%) for mental health domain and grade ‘B’ (72%) for common medical emergencies. The health-promoting practices for the other domains were graded ‘D’ (<50%) except for healthy behaviour (physical activity) sub-domain which achieved grade ‘B’ (65%). Significant gaps were identified in the community health-promoting practices. The residential zones may benefit from the scoring system to identify gaps and prioritize high-impact strategies to improve their health practices.
Highlights
Like most developed countries, the Singapore Burden of Disease Study 2010 identified the country’s three leading disease burden to be ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus and stroke (Singapore Ministry of Health, 2014)
Several studies identify that an environment supporting health-promoting behaviours is more likely to enable individuals to adopt and sustain healthy lifestyles by making healthy living more accessible, natural and effortless (Abraham et al, 2010; Sallis and Glanz, 2009)
We aim to determine the prevalence of health-promoting practices in the residential zones through a composite health promotion scoring system developed as a standardised means of assessment
Summary
The Singapore Burden of Disease Study 2010 identified the country’s three leading disease burden to be ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus and stroke (Singapore Ministry of Health, 2014). These diseases impose a severe economic burden in terms of lost productivity and unsustainable medical costs. Several studies identify that an environment supporting health-promoting behaviours is more likely to enable individuals to adopt and sustain healthy lifestyles by making healthy living more accessible, natural and effortless (Abraham et al, 2010; Sallis and Glanz, 2009). Adequate safe playgrounds and green spaces in the environment have been identified to play an integral role in encouraging physical activity among residents
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