Singapore Health 2012 (SH2012) is a nationally representative survey with the following aims:
- To assess the health status, including common chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and mental wellness among Singaporeans, to allow for comparisons of disease prevalence over time.
- To assess health-related lifestyle factors including smoking, diet, and physical activity among Singaporeans.
Data and samples were collected at 2 different timepoints: baseline, 2012 to 2013 (SH2012_T1); and first follow-up, 2016 to 2021 (SH2012_T2).
SH2012_T1 (2012 to 2013)
To ensure national representation, the sampling methodology of SH2012 was designed to closely match the characteristics of the Singapore resident population. A sample of 15000 household addresses was randomly selected from the Singapore Department of Statistics. Households were first notified by mail, followed by house visitation to screen for eligibility. One member from each household was selected using the Kish selection grid to take part in the study.
2,400 Singapore citizens and permanent residents of age 18 to 79 years old participated in the survey from 2012 to 2013. The overall response rate was 40%. 2,000 of the participants also underwent physical examination, additional surveys, and provided blood and urine samples for tests and storage.
Detailed cohort information has been described in Win AM et al. Patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior in a representative sample of a multi-ethnic South-East Asian population: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2015 Apr 1;15:318.
| Study | IRB Approval Ref No | Principal Investigator | Documents |
| SH2012_T1 | NUS 12-143 | Prof Rob van Dam | Participant information sheet and consent form |
SH2012_T2 (2016 to 2021)
The participants who were previously surveyed in SH2012_T1 were invited for a follow-up study. The follow-up phase began in 2016 and ended in 2021. A total of 1,600 participants were followed-up in SH2012_T2.
| Study | IRB Approval Ref No | Principal Investigator | Documents |
| SH2012_T2 | NUS LB-16-125 | Dr Xueling Sim | Participant information sheet Consent form |
Summary of data collected across all timepoints of SH2012
The data dictionaries, data collection forms (DCF), and categories of variables collected across all timepoints of SH2012 are provided below.
| Source | Section | SH2012_T1 Data Dictionary Main DCF |
SH2012_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 | x | |
| 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 | |
| Questionnaire | Cognition | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Wellbeing | x | |
| Questionnaire | Social and family | x | x |
| Questionnaire | Sleep | o | x |
| Questionnaire | Healthcare expenditure | x | |
| Questionnaire | Health behaviour | x | |
| Physical examination | Anthropometry | x | x |
| Physical examination | Eye health | x | |
| Physical examination | Cardiovascular health | x | x |
| Physical examination | Peripheral neuropathy | x | |
| Physical examination | Physical fitness | x | |
| Physical examination | Hearing | x | |
| Physical examination | Pulmonary health | x | |
| Physical examination | Urine biomarkers | x | x |
| Physical examination | Blood biomarkers (core) | x | x |
| Physical examination | Blood biomarkers (others) | x | x |
| Omics | Omics | * |
o Performed only among participants who completed the physical examination.
* Performed in a subset of participants
Updated on 26 March 2024