The Singapore Population Health Studies (SPHS) is a population-based health research initiative at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore. SPHS aims to
- investigate the interactions between lifestyle, physiological, genetic and other omics biomarkers and their impact on health and longevity
- serve as a platform to monitor risk factors in the population and gain insight into determinants of health-related behaviours
- understand disease etiology in urban Asian settings, and the development of improved preventive and therapeutic measures for Singapore and other Asian populations
SPHS is a collection of seven independent cohorts spanning 20 years. These include
- Three independent phases of the Multi-Ethnic Cohort (MEC1, MEC2 and MEC3)
- Diabetic Cohort (DC)
- Singapore Health Studies (SH2012 and SH2)
- Community Healthy Study (CHS)
The figure below shows the different cohorts over time. Each row denotes an independent cohort. For example, MEC1_T1 was the baseline between 2004 to 2010. We followed-up the participants from 2011 to 2015 (MEC1_T2). Participants returned for a third visit from 2016 to 2020 (MEC1_T3) and fourth visit (MEC1_T4) beginning 2022.
For each cohort with multiple timepoints of follow-up, we denote the specific timepoint as follows: CohortNameAbbreviation_Tj denotes jth timepoint, for example, MEC1_T1 refers to the first timepoint (baseline) of MEC1.
A tabulation of the variables collected across all studies and timepoints, grouped into sections and subsections, can be downloaded here. A screenshot of the mapping file is shown below.
The cohort names, abbreviations and their period of baseline collection are as follows:
| Cohort Name | Abbreviation | Baseline collection |
| Multi-Ethnic Cohort Phase 1 | MEC1 | 2004 – 2010 |
| Multi-Ethnic Cohort Phase 2 | MEC2 | 2013 – 2015 |
| Multi-Ethnic Cohort Phase 3 | MEC3 | 2019 – ongoing |
| Diabetic Cohort | DC | 2004 – 2010 |
| Singapore Health Study 2012 | SH2012 | 2012 – 2014 |
| Singapore Health Study 2 | SH2 | 2014 – 2015 |
| Community Health Study | CHS | 2015 – 2016 |
The maximal sample size described here are based on a data freeze derived on November 2021. For data requests, the eventual sample size will differ based on consent.
PARTNERS
Ministry of Health (MOH), Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), National Medical Research Council (NMRC)
National University Health System
National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, SingHealth Polyclinics
NUH Tissue Repository
NUH Referral Laboratory
INVESTIGATORS
Assistant Professor CHEN I-Cheng Mark
Assistant Professor CHONG Foong-Fong Mary
Associate Professor MUELLER-RIEMENSCHNEIDER Falk
Associate Professor Jeannette LEE Jen Mai
Assistant Professor SIM Xueling
Associate Professor Mythily SUBRAMANIAM
Professor Rob Martinus VAN DAM
Associate Professor VENKATARAMAN Kavita
Associate Professor WEE Hwee Lin
Dr LIM Su Chi (Senior Consultant, Khoo Teck Phuat Hospital)
Dr TANG Wern Ee (Head, Clinical Research Unit, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics)
Dr Richard CHEN (National Healthcare Group Polyclinics)
Dr SIEW Wei Fong (National Healthcare Group Polyclinics)
Dr Darren SEAH Ee-Jin (National Healthcare Group Polyclinics)
Dr TAN Ngiap Chuan (Director, Research, Singhealth Polyclinics)
Dr KON Yin Chian (Senior Consultant, Tan Tock Seng Hospital)
Dr Eric KHOO Yin Hao (Consultant, National University Hospital)
Dr Adeline TAN Yit Ying (Consultant, Alexandra Hospital)
Dr Ronald LEE Chi Hang (Consultant, National University Hospital)
Associate Professor Reshma MERCHANT (Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore)
Dr LEE Chun Tsu (Senior Resident, National University Hospital)
Assistant Professor Pipin Kojodjojo (Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore)
SPHS ADMINISTRATION
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health
National University of Singapore
Tahir Foundation Building
12 Science Drive 2, #11-03
Singapore 117549
Linda Tan
Operations Manager
Josephine Lim
Health Screening Operations Manager
SPHS participants who would like to reschedule their study site visit appointments, please call the SPHS Hotline 6478 9608 (Mon – Fri from 8AM to 5.30PM except on Public Holidays).