Incidence of Diabetes by Income Group

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Health (a) whether he can provide a current breakdown of the incidence of diabetes by income group; and (b) what strategies are being deployed to promote affordable healthier food products and cooked food options.

Data on diabetes incidence by income level is not available. However, studies in other countries have shown that those in the lowest-income group tend to have higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes. We expect a similar trend in Singapore.

Our priority is to help Singaporeans from all walks of life to live healthily. This means to eat healthily, exercise regularly and go for routine health screening.

Healthier eating means being more discerning about our diet, reducing our intake of sugar, salt and fats, and eating moderate meal portions. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) has rolled out various initiatives to inform the public of affordable, tasty and healthier food options. These include information on Healthy Meals, Healthy Hawker Hacks and Healthy Meals for the Entire Family.

Through HPB's Healthier Choice Symbol, Singaporeans can find a wide variety of healthier food products that suit different budget needs. Supermarkets have also made available affordable healthier options under their house brands. For example, in our local supermarkets, house brand wholemeal bread is cheaper than some brands of white bread.

As part of our ongoing efforts to reach out to lower-income households, HPB is collaborating with the Food Bank Singapore to develop a Healthier Corporate Food Bundle, which includes whole grain staple products and healthier oils. These bundles are donated by corporate donors to families in need, through the Food Bank's community partners. HPB is also working with voluntary welfare organisations, such as Free Food for All, involved in food donation drives to improve their menus with healthier food options, as well as with National Trades Union Congress SilverAce to organise regular cooking demonstrations on simple yet tasty healthier meals for their needy beneficiaries. In addition, we are looking at more ways to reach out to beneficiaries under the public assistance scheme to promote healthy living.

Healthy living is not just about healthier diet. It is also about adopting an active lifestyle and appropriate health screening. For example, HPB's National Steps Challenge has reached out to more than 500,000 Singaporeans to encourage them to remain physically active. Screen For Life subsidies have been enhanced from 1 September 2017. Eligible Singaporeans will pay no more than $5, CHAS cardholders will only pay $2, while Pioneer Generation cardholders need not pay. We will continue our efforts to ensure that all Singaporeans can choose to live healthily.