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16 May 2005
Question No: 102
Question
Name of the Person: Dr Lily Neo, MP for Jalan Besar GRC
To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether the prevalence of stroke cases is on the increase; and (b) has the Ministry any plans to reverse this trend.
Reply
Reply From MOH
The recent study conducted by the National Neuroscience Institute estimated the crude prevalence of stroke at approximately 4% in people aged 50 years and above. As this was the first such local study, we do not know if the prevalence is on the rise. However, our hospitalisation records show that there are around 7,500 cases of stroke every year and this has been so for quite some time.
Age is the single most important risk factor for stroke. With our ageing population and improving survival rates, we can expect the prevalence of chronic diseases such as stroke to increase.
Conditions such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol further increase the risk for stroke. Fortunately, these risk factors can be modified through active lifestyle changes.
There are two key strategies to address this problem. First, improve the overall risk profile of the population through initiatives such as the National Healthy Lifestyle Programme. Second, detect and treat those who have developed risk factors for stroke.
In this connection, the recent National Health Survey has been encouraging. The prevalence of most risk factors has moderated. Management of those with diabetes and hypertension also appears to be improving.
We should therefore press on with our healthy lifestyle campaign. If Singaporeans continue to improve their risk factor profile, hopefully we can control the prevalence of stroke even as our population ages.