S1E152: How old are you biologically, and what are you doing about it?
Season 1 · Episode 152
Friday, September 4, 2026 • Duration 54:22
Discover the science of aging and learn about the latest geroscience research aimed at shifting the focus from mere lifespan to healthspan.
Synopsis: Once a month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
In the latest Health Check podcast, we examine the burgeoning science of healthspan—the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic disease—shifting the focus beyond mere lifespan. Part of The Straits Times' “The New Age” series, this episode explores ageing not as an inevitable decline, but as a complex biological network.
Host Joyce Teo sits down with Dr Brian Kennedy, director of the Center for Healthy Longevity at the National University Health System, about cutting-edge research in geroscience and the shift from reactive sick care to proactive healthcare.
Brian is a distinguished professor of biochemistry and physiology at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:33 Exploring ageing clocks, geroscience, and longevity
7:57 Our bodies maintain an internal homeostasis for health. When does this equilibrium break down?
9:08 Brian Kennedy's transition from lab models to human trials in Singapore and Singapore's global standing
13:36 Study showed that the Japanese are healthier in Japan than in another country that they have moved to
15:27 Will a low carb, high protein diet help me age better?
18:15 You got to do medicine before you do longevity medicine
23:23 Is there evidence that hyperbaric oxygen chambers work?
24:19 How do you choose the right ageing supplements?
30:31 We need to empower people to make more of their own health decisions
Discover why standard clinical checks might miss critical heart risks, and the vital role of fat loss over weight loss.
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
For millions of people worldwide living with hypertension, keeping blood pressure numbers in the normal zone is the ultimate goal. But what if that peace of mind is an illusion? Recent findings from the REMODEL study at the National Heart Centre Singapore suggests that the true danger to your heart might be completely invisible to standard clinical checks.
The study, published as a letter in the journal MedCom in February 2026, found that nearly 30 per cent of health complications related to high blood pressure occur in patients whose blood pressure appears perfectly normal on paper.
In this episode, Joyce Teo speaks to the study’s senior author, Associate Professor Calvin Chin, to find out about the importance of fat loss over mere weight loss and why a normal blood pressure reading may not always tell you the full story. He is a senior consultant in cardiology from the National Heart Centre Singapore and the deputy director of the National Heart Research Institute Singapore.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:43 Your blood pressure reading does not tell you the full story
4:11 High-risk individuals have a higher amount of visceral fat
7:30 Know your waist-hip ratio
12:08 How hard should you exercise?
13:46 Is it safe to exercise at maximum intensity all the time?
16:32 He discovered the importance of core strength the hard way
S1E150: Palliative care is for living, not just dying: Talk about it sooner
Season 1 · Episode 150
Monday, June 8, 2026 • Duration 39:40
Your guide to a kinder end-of-life journey in the ICU.
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National University Hospital recently launched a new initiative called A Kinder ICU that is supported by a 3.93 million grant from the Lien Foundation. The aim is to integrate palliative care into standard ICU treatment.
In this episode, Joyce Teo finds out more about the initiative and the nature of palliative care from her two guests. They discuss how palliative care has evolved and how it provides essential support to patients who are critically ill and their families.
The conversation also explores the importance of reflecting on the desired quality of life as one approaches the end of their journey.
The two guests are Assistant Professor Neo Han Yee, a senior consultant and head of the palliative medicine department at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and Ms Charmaine Sim, an advanced practice nurse at the medical intensive care unit at the National University Hospital.
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:26 Palliative care 10-20 years ago vs now
5:28 Feeling conflicted seeing a family member in the ICU
9:27 There is an art to palliative care
10:23 Life presents you with unexpected crises
14:10 Medical staff will also feel distressed if they are imposing pain on patients
21:12 Helping the family of a man who fell critically ill just before he was about to return home
23:40 Is it fair to keep trying to save his life?
25:03 The doctor is legally authorised to withdraw life support when life-sustaining efforts are futile, but there’s a need to help the family hold that grief
S1E149: Slow ageing with exercise and diet: Geriatrician's tips
Season 1 · Episode 149
Monday, May 11, 2026 • Duration 28:05
We are living longer, but are we living healthier?
Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Singapore is one of the fastest-ageing nations in the world. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above. There are also more Singaporeans living past 100 today. We are living longer, but are we living healthier? And, what does "ageing well" actually look like in our concrete jungle?
In this episode, host Joyce Teo hosts a senior geriatrician to talk about the unique landscape of ageing in Singapore, how to tell if someone is ageing faster than before and what one can do to "age healthier".
She is Adjunct Assistant Professor Noorhazlina Ali, a senior consultant and the head of the department of geriatric medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). She’s also a dementia specialist.
Highlights (click/tap above):
3:39 Tell-tale signs that you’re ageing faster than others
4:45 Hear about the chair-to-stand test
6:32 How to tell if your memory issues are not part of normal ageing
10:18 Sarcopenia can happen as early as age 40
12:54 Make sure your protein intake is sufficient
16:32 Dr Noorhazlina’s grandfather kept fit with long walks past 90
18:06 Determining the intensity of your elderly workouts
S1E148: Health insurance riders: Buy one, downgrade or drop It?
Season 1 · Episode 148
Monday, April 13, 2026 • Duration 30:56
Navigating Singapore’s evolving health insurance landscape.
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
The rules for Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders changed on Apr 1, 2026. New mandates from the Ministry of Health mean that riders that offer nearly full coverage can no longer be sold. They have been replaced by plans that require higher out-of-pocket costs in exchange for lower premiums. These new riders promote greater accountability in controlling escalating healthcare expenses.
If you have an existing IP rider, you might wonder if you should "grandfather" your current plan, switch to a new one to save on premiums, or perhaps do without one?
If you are just starting your healthcare journey, you need to understand why MOH is removing deductible coverage and doubling the co-payment cap from $3,000 to $6,000.
In this episode, host Joyce Teo engages with a private sector surgeon and a health economist to discuss the new landscape of health insurance, how to think about your future healthcare needs, and the crucial role of personal responsibility.
The guests are Dr. Tan Yia Swam, a breast surgeon and former president of the Singapore Medical Association, and Dr. Akshar Saxena, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University.
In the podcast, Dr Tan also addresses a common misconception that private sector doctors frequently overcharge.
Highlights (click/tap above):
8:05 Knowing the difference between an elective surgery and an emergency one.
10:40 Addressing the public perception that some doctors overcharge patients…
15:20 On the importance of personal responsibility…
23:07 Dr Akshar on the impact of the Apr 1 changes on legacy riders
24:18 Dr Tan’s perspective on preparing for her future medical needs.
S1E147: Is your psychologist actually qualified? How to check in Singapore
Season 1 · Episode 147
Monday, March 9, 2026 • Duration 33:37
Clearing the air on what different types of psychologists do.
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
The Ministry of Health has announced that five key psychological subdisciplines will be registered under the Allied Health Professions Act, with details expected to be out in early 2027. This move aims to enhance the safety and public trust associated with psychological services and the profession as a whole.
In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to two council members of the Singapore Psychological Society to find out more about the different roles of psychologists.
They delve into how a clinical psychologist and an educational psychologist may help a client, what one can do to determine if a potential psychologist is the right person to help you, and why registration is important.
The guests are Mr Adrian Toh and Dr Cassandra Neo. Adrian is a clinical psychologist in private practice while Cassandra is a psychologist who works at a public hospital and is trained in educational psychology.
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:35 What do psychologists do?
4:10 How might a clinical psychologist and an educational psychologist collaborate to help a primary school student who is not doing well in school?
16:30 Ahead of the registration of psychologists, what can you do to find the right psychologist?
19:55 The different types of psychologists
22:46 How do psychologists qualify for the Singapore Register of Psychologists?
25:19 Why registration is important; reports of potentially harming behaviours of psychologists
S1E146: Is it safe to exercise with joint pain? An orthopaedic surgeon explains
Season 1 · Episode 146
Monday, February 9, 2026 • Duration 25:33
Resting too much can weaken muscles, worsening joint pain in the long run, says an expert.
Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Problems affecting bones, joints, muscles, and tendons are the leading contributor of disability among all ages worldwide.
These problems arising from musculoskeletal disorders comprise diverse conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues, which may result in pain and loss of function.
The disorders, which include conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, low back pain, and other degenerative conditions, are especially common in older adults.
However, they are not an inevitable part of aging.
In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo talks to surgeon-scientist, Assistant Professor Bryan Tan to find out more about what one can do to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
They touched on strength training, what one can do about exercise after a flare of knee osteoarthritis, and not waiting till there is no pain to resume exercising.
Prof Tan is an orthopaedic surgeon at Woodlands Hospital, and the co-chair of the musculoskeletal integrated care work group at NHG Health.
Highlights (click/tap above):
3:48 What are musculoskeletal conditions?
6:55 It’s never too late to build your muscles and bones
8:45 The more you don’t use your muscles, the weaker they will become
18:21 Hyrox or not, everyone should be engaging in physical activity
20:27 How to get back to your exercise routine after a flare of your knee osteoarthritis?
Read Joyce Teo's stories:
S1E145: OCD (Pt 2): 4-day treatment and the Bergen approach
Season 1 · Episode 145
Monday, January 12, 2026 • Duration 26:10
The science of getting unstuck from OCD in four days.
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is often misunderstood. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is frequently misunderstood. Although the term is often used casually, it is a potentially severe disorder that can drastically disrupt a person's life.
However, it is highly treatable. Yet, many people remain undiagnosed and untreated for years.
To learn more about OCD, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo talks to two psychologists who specialise in the treatment of OCD for a two-part series on what the disorder is about and how the Bergen approach treats OCD in just four days?
They are Dr Jackki Yim, Principal Clinical Psychologist & Deputy Head of Anxiety Service, Department of Mood & Anxiety at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and Ms Tammie Kwek, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Department of Mood & Anxiety, IMH.
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:56 How is OCD treated?
6:00 What does the Bergen treatment entail?
11:00 Is it for everyone suffering from OCD?
14:05 What is the “homework” that patients have to do?
21:52 How should families accommodate a family member living with OCD?
Listen to OCD Part 1: The hidden reality and a new way out - https://str.sg/yBjG
S1E144: OCD (Pt 1): The hidden reality and a new way out
Season 1 · Episode 144
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 • Duration 13:39
OCD is more than a quirk.
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is often misunderstood. Although the term OCD is often used casually, it is a potentially severe disorder that can drastically disrupt a person's life.
However, it is highly treatable. Yet, many people remain undiagnosed and untreated for years.
To learn more about OCD, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo talks to two psychologists who specialise in the treatment of OCD for a two-part series on what the disorder is about and how a new treatment can help.
They are Dr Jackki Yim, Principal Clinical Psychologist & Deputy Head of Anxiety Service, Department of Mood & Anxiety at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and Ms Tammie Kwek, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Department of Mood & Anxiety, IMH.
Highlights (click/tap above):
3:37 Clearing misunderstandings about OCD
5:46 An example of OCD
11:19 How can parents respond to their children who have OCD?
Listen to OCD Part 2: 4-day treatment and the Bergen approach - https://str.sg/hZaB
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S1E143: Helping children understand and manage their emotions
Season 1 · Episode 143
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 • Duration 29:02
A psychiatrist's guide to your child's emotional well-being.
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Many parents spend time teaching their kids essential skills like reading or spelling but they often forget to teach them a key skill that will determine their success, their relationships, and their overall happiness. That is emotional regulation.
In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo talks to Dr Ong Say How, a child and adolescent psychiatrist. He’s the chairperson of creative services and youth committee at SAMH and a senior consultant psychiatrist at the Institute of Mental Health.
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:49 What exactly is emotional regulation?
6:40 Signs that a child might be struggling emotionally
11:14 It’s ok to tell your children that you’re concerned about them
15:00 Screen time limits can help with a child’s ability to handle boredom and regulate mood
20:51 Parents must be role models
22:24 What parents can do to repair the damage after losing their cool?
24:13 You don’t have to shield your child from negative feelings
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