FIRST HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CENTRE OPENS IN HONG KAH NORTH
New community based health initiative to encourage residents to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours
Singapore, 9 December 2012: Follow-up and referral services are imperative for the community to adequately maintain healthy behaviours. In response to this HPB has today launched Singapore’s first Healthy Lifestyle Centre. This follows on from last year’s establishment of a health corner at Hong Kah North Zone 6 Residents’ Committee (RC).
2. Following the basic health screening and healthy lifestyle advice provided by health ambassadors at the Health Promoting RC corner, residents between the ages of 18 to 69 years who have been identified to have a higher risk of chronic conditions will be referred to the Healthy Lifestyle Centre for customised health programmes and services.
3. The HLC will educate residents on the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle and equip them with the knowledge and skills to do so. It also aims to encourage residents to adopt a healthy lifestyle through interventions in physical activity, nutrition and mental well-being and provide referrals and facilitate follow-up for individuals who may require them.
4. The HLC services will be operated by HPB’s team of Health Promotion Managers in collaboration with Health Ambassadors. Jointly, they will proactively reach out to the community to provide the following services:
o One-on-one consultations
o Health assessments
o Personalised health advice
o Health interventions such as exercise classes, talks and workshops
o Follow-up and referral services
5. Residents who have undergone screening or have been identified as at-risk will be invited to attend the one-on-one consultations and health activities at the HLC. Each consultation will see the resident undergoing a As Framework to:
o Assess the resident’s knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, beliefs and concerns related to their health;
o Advise the resident through the development of a personalised health action plan;
o Assist the resident to ensure they receive adequate support beyond the HLC such as appropriate programme or services in the community and referrals to their neighbourhood GP.
6. Dr. Amy Khor, Minister of State for Health and Manpower and Mayor for South West district said “Over the past year, we have been working to bring healthy lifestyle opportunities to the door step of residents of South West CDC. We have introduced various programmes at all 18 constituencies in South West CDC, and have put in place 6 health promoting RCs and CCs, 7 healthier hawker centres and coffeeshops, and recruited more than 700 Health Ambassadors who help design and implement programmes like health screening for their fellow residents. I am pleased to note that as a result nearly 8 in 10 residents aged 18-69 years have been screened for at least one of the chronic diseases. The Healthy Lifestyle Centre is therefore the next step in protecting the health of the residents as they will now have direct and convenient access not just for regular consultations and follow-up services with HPB’s team of healthcare professionals but also access to a suite of services, such as personalised health assessment and lifestyle modification advice, which will allow them to better manage their health.”
7. Said Ang Hak Seng, Chief Executive Officer, HPB “Over the last year, more than 3,000 Hong Kah North residents have participated in various health promotion activities and programmes, including basic health screening carried out by Hong Kah North Health Ambassadors. Following on from the success of the health screening and demand for the various health-related programmes that have been put in place by our Health Ambassadors in the South West CDC, HPB is now co-locating the Healthy Lifestyle Centre with the Health Promoting RCs and CCs to further strengthen our health promotion services at the community level. HPB’s team of allied health professionals will be working in partnership with Hong Kah North’s Health Ambassadors to provide twice weekly consultation services on the ground. As they are specially trained in physical activity, nutrition and mental well-being, they will be able to heighten the level of expertise available when providing one-on-one consultations, personalised health advice and the necessary follow-up services for the at-risk residents.”
8. The HLC will also serve as a health resources centre where residents can expect to find educational materials on various topics including:
o Cancer screenings
o Chronic diseases
o Dementia
o Depression
o Falls
o Mental well-being
o Nutrition
o Obesity
o Osteoporosis
o Physical activity
o Smoking
o Weight management
9. The HLC will be piloted in the South West District over a period of three years. Following which it will be rolled out nation-wide.
Issued by Health Promotion Board
Annex 1: Factsheet on Healthy Lifestyle Centre