The Community Health Study (CHS) is a population health survey on Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents residing in public housing estates within 2 towns – Bukit Panjang (40 years old and above) and Queenstown (21 years old and above). The study aims to:
- Identify the health needs of the residents with the goal of recommending health healthcare services and programmes.
- Study the participation rates of healthcare services and programmes such as cancer screening programmes.
- Study how lifestyle factors influence the development of chronic diseases.
Data and samples have been collected at 2 different timepoints: baseline, 2015 to 2016 (CHS_T1); and first follow-up, 2018 to 2021 (CHS_T2).
CHS_T1 (2015 to 2016)
A total of 5,000 Bukit Panjang residents were interviewed, of which 3,900 underwent the health screening. In Queenstown, 3,000 residents were interviewed and 1,600 underwent health screening. In total, 7,900 were enrolled between 2015 and 2016.
Detailed cohort information has been described in Chan TK et al. Cancer Screening Knowledge and Behaviour in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population: the Singapore Community Health Study. Front. Oncol.
| Study | IRB Approval Ref No | Principal Investigator | Documents |
| CHS_T1 | NHG DSRB-F 2015/00095 | Prof Rob van Dam | Participant information sheet and consent form |
CHS_T2 (2018 to 2021)
The participants who were previously surveyed are invited for this follow-up study. The follow-up phase began in 2018 and ended in 2021. A total of 3,000 participants were followed-up in CHS_T2.
| Study | IRB Approval Ref No | Principal Investigator | Documents |
| CHS_T2 | NUS LB-16-125 | Dr Xueling Sim | Participant information sheet Consent form |
Summary of data collected across all timepoints of CHS
The data dictionaries, data collection forms (DCF), and categories of variables collected across all timepoints of CHS are provided below.
| Source | Section | CHS_T1 Data Dictionary Main DCF |
CHS_T2 Data Dictionary Main DCF Online survey and telephone interview |
| Questionnaire | Socio-demographic characteristics | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Smoking | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Alcohol consumption | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Dietary assessment | o | o |
| Questionnaire | Physical activity | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Personal medical history | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Family medical history | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Medical information | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Mental health | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Cognition | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Wellbeing | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Frailty | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Sleep | x | |
| Questionnaire | Health behaviour | x | |
| Physical examination | Anthropometry | x | x |
| Physical examination | Eye health | x | x |
| Physical examination | Cardiovascular health | x | x |
| Physical examination | Peripheral neuropathy | x | |
| Physical examination | Physical fitness | x | x |
| Physical examination | Hearing | x | x |
| Physical examination | Urine biomarkers | x | x |
| Physical examination | Blood biomarkers (core) | x | x |
| Physical examination | Blood biomarkers (others) | x | x |
o Dietary assessment was performed using a 3-min nutritional survey in CHS_T1, and Diet Screener in CHS_T2.
Updated on 26 March 2024