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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1065395/1/.html
Adult mortality in S'pore falls over last 40 years
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 24 June 2010 1544 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
People cross at a pedestrian crossing in downtown Singapore
SINGAPORE: The number of Singaporeans dying in their prime has fallen by about two thirds over the past 40 years.
This according to a study in the medical journal, Lancet, which looked at how adult mortality risk - defined as the risk of dying young, between the ages of 15 and 60 years - had changed over the past 40 years in 187 countries.
The Health Ministry, MOH, says over the past 20 years, the death rate for adults aged 15-59 years in Singapore has halved, from 223 per 100,000 adults in 1989 to 111 per 100,000 adults in 2009.
This, it says, translates to a very significant drop of about three per cent each year.
Both men and women have experienced similar improvement in health as measured by the reduction in death rate.
As a result, Singapore has moved up the ranking of countries with lowest adult mortality risk.
In 1970, Singapore was ranked 72nd for men and 62nd for women.
It's now 16th for men and 14th for women.
Adult mortality complements the more traditional measures of population health such as infant mortality, childhood mortality and life expectancy.
Singapore's infant mortality, at about two deaths in 1,000 infants under one year of age, is amongst the lowest in the world.
Life expectancy at birth has over the past 40 years, increased by 15 years from 66 years in 1970 to 81 years today, among the highest in the world.
But the Health Ministry says there's still room for improvement and Singapore must not be complacent.
It says Singapore needs to press on with its healthy lifestyle campaign - eat healthily, exercise regularly, do not smoke, go for regular health screening and manage any chronic disease well. - CNA/jy
Adult mortality in S'pore falls over last 40 years
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 24 June 2010 1544 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
People cross at a pedestrian crossing in downtown Singapore
SINGAPORE: The number of Singaporeans dying in their prime has fallen by about two thirds over the past 40 years.
This according to a study in the medical journal, Lancet, which looked at how adult mortality risk - defined as the risk of dying young, between the ages of 15 and 60 years - had changed over the past 40 years in 187 countries.
The Health Ministry, MOH, says over the past 20 years, the death rate for adults aged 15-59 years in Singapore has halved, from 223 per 100,000 adults in 1989 to 111 per 100,000 adults in 2009.
This, it says, translates to a very significant drop of about three per cent each year.
Both men and women have experienced similar improvement in health as measured by the reduction in death rate.
As a result, Singapore has moved up the ranking of countries with lowest adult mortality risk.
In 1970, Singapore was ranked 72nd for men and 62nd for women.
It's now 16th for men and 14th for women.
Adult mortality complements the more traditional measures of population health such as infant mortality, childhood mortality and life expectancy.
Singapore's infant mortality, at about two deaths in 1,000 infants under one year of age, is amongst the lowest in the world.
Life expectancy at birth has over the past 40 years, increased by 15 years from 66 years in 1970 to 81 years today, among the highest in the world.
But the Health Ministry says there's still room for improvement and Singapore must not be complacent.
It says Singapore needs to press on with its healthy lifestyle campaign - eat healthily, exercise regularly, do not smoke, go for regular health screening and manage any chronic disease well. - CNA/jy
