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DateTitreDurée
13 Jan 2021S1E52: Addressing Covid-19 vaccine safety and the science behind it: Health Check Ep 5200:20:14

Health Check Ep 52: Addressing Covid-19 vaccine safety and the science behind it

20:14 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times and this episode is on the safety of Covid-19 vaccines.

Much has been said about the safety and effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine frontrunners but there are still many people who are hesitant about taking the vaccine, mostly because they are unsure if it is truly safe.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Prof Ooi Eng Eong from the Duke-NUS Medical School. He's the school’s principal investigator in the partnership with Arcturus Therapeutics to develop a self-replicating mRNA Covid-19 vaccine.

Prof Ooi talks about the science of the vaccine, addresses concerns about side effects (including reports of long-term effects from pandemic flu jabs), as well as discuss the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines, and how different the one being trialled here is.

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

01 Dec 2021S1E73: What to know about antimicrobial resistance: Health Check Ep 7300:21:28

Health Check Ep 73: What to know about antimicrobial resistance

21:28 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

The World Health Organisation has declared that antimicrobial resistance or AMR is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. AMR occurs when some of the germs that cause infections no longer respond to the drugs designed to kill them.

Infections then become harder or impossible to treat.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Associate Prof Hsu Li Yang, who has a special interest in antibiotic resistance, about AMR. Prof Hsu is the Vice Dean of Global Health and Programme Leader of Infectious Diseases at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. And, with the worrisome Omicron spreading around the world, she also asked him how worrying the new variant is.

0:00 Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

01:20 Why should you bother about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in a pandemic?

03:42 The use of antibiotics in chickens, and what you should know about what you find in supermarkets

10:59 Lessons from the pandemic that can be applied to the control of AMR

15:05 Why is it difficult to develop new antibiotics for drug-resistant infections?

16:35 Will the new variant Omicron break through vaccine protection against severe disease?

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Hadyu Rahim

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06 Feb 2024S1E121: Monitoring your heart with your phone00:19:58

Wearable tech can help us monitor our heart.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Today, we can easily find heart rate monitors in wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers. As Singapore shifts the centre of gravity in healthcare from acute hospitals to the community with its preventive care strategy Healthier SG, such wearable technology will likely become more popular as they enable us to take charge of our health. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Clin Assoc Prof Ching Chi Keong, a Senior Consultant at the National Heart Centre Singapore about how one can make use of these devices and just how accurate they are.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:55 How do ECG readings taken with a smart watch compare with a traditional ECG done in a medical setting? How accurate are they? 

3:41 Interpreting ECG readings on your phone and what it means to have a sinus rhythm

11:09 When should you seek medical help? 

14:35 Which group of people should use wearable devices to monitor their heart rate?

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Mar 2020S1E32: How to encourage pregnant women to exercise more: Health Check Ep 3200:13:50

Health Check Ep 32: How to encourage pregnant women to exercise more

13:25 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up common misconceptions on health with expert guests.

In this episode, ST senior correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Serene Thain, an associate consultant from the Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

The first guidelines on physical activity and exercise for pregnant women were released earlier in January in a bid to curb the high rate of gestational diabetes here.

This episode is aimed at popular misconceptions about exercising during pregnancy. Mothers-in law, do have a listen too!

Dr Thain answers the following questions:

1. Why pregnant women should aim for a target of 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercises (divide the time into daily slots or at least three times a week) (3:05)

2. How to avoid hypoglycaemia, which is dangerous for pregnant women (5:40)

3. Danger signs pregnant women should notice while exercising (8:40)

4. Should women lie flat on their backs in prolonged yoga sessions, especially after the fourth month of pregnancy? (11:05)

5. Post-pregnancy exercising guidelines (12:00)

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

02 Jul 2018S1E3: Health Check EP 3: Exercise tips for newly-diagnosed diabetics00:09:57

Health Check

Episode 3

Duration: 10 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Tuesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

This episode targets newly-diagnosed diabetics. How they can work in an exercise routine and balance it with their new condition, or even if they had been very active marathoners previously for example.

Host Ernest Luis, together with The Straits Times' correspondent Joyce Teo and assistant news editor Poon Chian Hui, discuss various tips with Dr Fadzil Hamzah, a Senior Staff Registrar with the Changi Sports Medicine Centre at Changi General Hospital, and a visiting clinician at the Singapore Sports Institute. 

He is also the Director of Community Programmes for Exercise Is Medicine Singapore (EIMS).

Produced by: Ernest Luis, Joyce Teo and Poon Chian Hui

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Jul 2023S1E110: What a suicide survivor wants you to know00:39:03

Our guest shares her experience with depression and suicidal ideation and how she overcame the unhealthy thoughts.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Recent data from non-profit suicide prevention centre Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) showed that 476 suicide deaths were reported in Singapore in 2022, the highest since 2000.

Of the deaths in 2022, 125 involved those aged 10 to 29. This was 13 more than in 2021 and another high since 2000, which marks SOS’ earliest recorded data.

Suicide is complex but it is preventable. In this episode, ST's senior health correspondent Joyce Teo talks to Ms Sabrina Ooi, the chief executive and co-founder of Calm Collective Asia, which aims to normalise mental health conversations in Asia.

Ms Ooi is 33. She was diagnosed with depression at 24, battled suicidal thoughts and lives with bipolar disorder. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:38 Why we need to understand why a depressed person might see suicide as a "solution"

7:33 Sabrina Ooi shares how her dad prevented her from committing suicide on another occasion

9:28 How can we help a depressed person, who may also have suicidal thoughts?

14:18 Tips for parents/caregivers: A listening ear and encouragement to seek professional medical help is better than seeking instant internal family solutions

20:08 Being diagnosed with major depression at the age of 24; why being able to talk and not fearing judgment is crucial

29:23 Can mental health conditions be managed early in the same way general health matters are treated?

Listen to our previous live recording at Temasek Shophouse that featured Sabrina Ooi as one of our guests: https://str.sg/iwkc

Helplines

MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

ONLINE RESOURCES
•  moht.com.sg/mindline-sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Jun 2018S1E1: Health Check EP1: Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on the war against diabetes, his love for chicken rice and his 3Rs for eating healthily00:12:01

Health Check

Episode 1

Duration: 12 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Tuesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

How has Singapore's war against diabetes panned out so far? Has public awareness increased? Have commercial outlets responded favourably? What more can be done to better engage Singaporeans and help them make more informed decisions on the ground?

Join ST's senior health correspondent Salma Khalik as she hosts Singapore's Health Minister Gan Kim Yong. They dissect national numbers and the various key aspects of this war against diabetes. They also discuss the kinds of sugar tax measures that might be considered.

Mr Gan also reveals his own love for chicken rice and his own personal "3Rs" strategy on how to adapt and choose healthier options when eating out. He also reveals a favourite new sporting pastime, to keep fit.

Produced by: Salma Khalik and Ernest Luis

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03 Nov 2020S1E47: You don't make a baby to save your marriage: Health Check Ep 4700:15:45

Health Check Ep 47: You don't make a baby to save your marriage

15:45 mins

Synopsis: Fortnightly on Wednesdays, get healthier living tips as The Straits Times chats with expert guests.

As a family goes through different stages, conflicts can arise. There can also be changes in family situations that give rise to conflicts. These conflicts may be worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, as more people stay home.   

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Assoc Prof Angie Chew, the founder and chief executive of the Brahm Centre, a mental wellness charity, on managing family conflicts. They discuss the conflicts that can occur at the start of the family life cycle, to when a couple have children and to a possible break-up.

Prof Chew also talks about the impact of unresolved conflicts on children. She was The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2019, and is an adjunct associate professor at the National University of Singapore, where she teaches a mindfulness-based course known as The Undefeated Mind. 

In September, Prof Chew was the guest for the AskST@NLB video series, where she spoke with Teo about how people can cope with the stress of these trying times brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Aug 2021S1E66: How parents can promote good mental health in children: Health Check Ep 6600:21:11

Health Check Ep 66: How parents can promote good mental health in children

21:10 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Parents play an important role in promoting good mental health in their children. They are often the first to notice if a child is having problems with his or her emotions. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Ms Andrea Chan, the assistant director of Touch Mental Wellness, about the things parents can do to make sure their children are mentally healthy. She also talks about the stigma associated with mental health and how she helped a young person get the help she needs.

This is the last of a two-part series on youth mental health. In the previous episode, we touched on the stressors faced by young people in this pandemic, what parents can say to their children about the recent River Valley High School murder case, and the signs and symptoms of mental distress to watch out for.

Listen to Pt 1 - How to reach out to youth with mental health challenges: Health Check Ep 65: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/how-to-reach-out-to-youth-with-mental-health-chall

Helplines
• National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am)

COUNSELLING
• TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
• TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555
• Care Corner Counselling Centre: 1800-353-5800

MENTAL WELL-BEING
• Fei Yue’s Online Counselling Service: eC2.sg
• Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
• Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours)
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
• Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
• Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani, Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 May 2023S1E106: Can stress trigger IBS?00:21:31

Find out why stress is not the root cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), though it can trigger or worsen IBS.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Many people think that stress can cause IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, a common condition that causes recurrent episodes of diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, or abdominal pain. But this is not true. 

Stress can trigger or worsen IBS, but it is not the root cause, says Dr Andrew Ong, a consultant gastroenterologist at the Singapore General Hospital, who runs a weekly IBS clinic at the hospital for hard-to-treat IBS cases. 

In this episode hosted by Straits Times senior health correspondent Joyce Teo, Dr Ong also talks about how the brain and the gut are linked, the approach he takes at the weekly clinic and how it has helped some patients. 

This is the first of a two-part series with Dr Ong on gastrointestinal issues, of which IBS is the most common condition. In the next episode, Dr Ong talks to Joyce about the foods to avoid if one has IBS, and the difference between food intolerance and food allergy.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:17 The link between our gut and brain

3:09 What is irritable bowel syndrome?

8:14 Misconceptions of lactose intolerance

11:54 How does a psychologist help with treatment

17:24 Example of a patient at the weekly clinic

Listen to Pt 2: What to eat or not eat if you have IBS - https://str.sg/i3gB

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Read more: https://str.sg/iJqa

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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12 Apr 2024S1E123: A new personalised treatment for stubborn depression00:38:33

IMH trial to study efficacy of personalised transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression.

Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Researchers from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore are studying a new personalised treatment for resistant depression. 

It is the personalised version of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate and reset the specific part of the brain that regulates mood. 

A clinical trial that aims to study its efficacy is currently being conducted at IMH. It pairs TMS with the algorithm of each patient’s functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify a precise spot on the head where magnetic stimulation can be applied to achieve better outcomes.

In this Health Check podcast episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to two experts involved in the trial. Dr Tor Phern Chern is a Senior Consultant at the Mood & Anxiety department and Head of Neurostimulation Service, at IMH and Associate Professor Thomas Yeo is from the Centre for Sleep and Cognition at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:28 How does TMS work? 

8:47 Using a tape measure to ascertain the target area 

10:34 What is depression?

23:29 Using Professor Yeo's algorithm to find an individual treatment target

25:52 What is the trial about? 

29:27 Envisioning a future of TMS treatments

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here every month and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/5nfm

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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16 Sep 2021S1E68: Vaccine expert on combating new Covid variants: Health Check Ep 68 (Pt 2)00:19:55

Health Check Ep 68 (Pt 2): Vaccine expert on combating new Covid variants

20:02 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Prof Ooi Eng Eong from the Duke-NUS Medical School’s Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases about the current Covid-19 situation and how vaccination will lead us out of this pandemic.

In the second part of their conversation, Prof Ooi talks about the best but tricky solution to combating new variants, touches on long Covid and tells us what to note about the different vaccines used here. 

Listen to Pt 1: Why bother about asymptomatic Covid-19 cases, says vaccine expert - https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/health-check-ep-68-p1-mixdown

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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18 Oct 2022S1E93: Understanding mental health stigma00:15:35

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Mental health stigma is what happens when a person with a mental illness is seen in a negative light. It can lead to discrimination, as a person may be treated differently because of his or her mental illness. This stigma often stems from a lack of understanding of mental illness. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Ms Porsche Poh, the executive director of Silver Ribbon (Singapore), about her work in combating mental health stigma. Silver Ribbon is a non-profit organisation that aims to combat mental health stigma through improving mental health literacy. She co-founded Silver Ribbon in 2006 with Helen Lee and Sally Choo, who were then her colleagues at the Institute of Mental Health.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:03 Effects of mental health stigma

7:29 Work-life mental health: What can companies do to improve employee's mental health

10:47 What can be done to reduce mental health stigma in Singapore

12:02 Adversities Silver Ribbon faced

In the podcast, Porsche mentioned that there’s a Beyond The Label media guide for journalists reporting on mental health issues. This guide was launched in 2021 by Singapore’s National Council of Social Service under its Beyond The Label campaign that seeks to address the stigmas faced by persons with mental health conditions.

HELPLINES

National Care: 1800-202-6868

Samaritans of Singapore Hotline: 1-767; CareText: (WhatsApp) 9151-1767 (24-hour)

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800 2837 019

Institute Of Mental Health: 6389 2222 (24-hour)

Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353 1180

Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928

Tinkle Friend: 1800 2744 788 and www.tinklefriend.sg

Community Health Assessment Team: 6493-6500 and www.chat.mentalhealth.sg

TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252

TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim, Teo Tong Kai, and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast episodes out here every first and third Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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05 Mar 2024S1E122: You don’t need to join an exercise class to be healthy00:20:44

Get started on moderate intensity physical activity to stay healthy.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Singapore wants to be a healthier nation, and everyone needs to play their part by leading healthier lifestyles. This would only benefit the individual, but not everyone exercises regularly.

And, if you have watched the popular Netflix documentary series Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, which are spots where people tend to live to around 100, you will know that the world’s longest-lived people do not exercise. They don’t go running in the stadium, nor do they go for a workout in the gym.

So, just how much of it is necessary when it comes to doing it for health, weight management or weight loss? What’s the minimum amount of exercise that you can do to obtain any health benefits? 

In this Health Check podcast episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Clinical Assistant Professor Ivy Lim, a Senior Consultant and the Chief of the Department of Sport and Exercise Medicine at Changi General Hospital to find out more.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:01 Do we really need to exercise?

4:35 Pairing exercise and diet will lead to greater weight loss than solely relying on diet

8:09 Is it okay to focus on resistance training and not cardiovascular exercise like running? 

9:52 Can you get rid of your belly fat by doing a lot of sit-ups? 

12:04 Will brisk walking and stair climbing cause you to have knee problems?

15:53 Sprint training snacks at CGH: Doing less but at a higher intensity

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here every month and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/5nfm

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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07 May 2021S1E59: What you can eat to sleep better: Health Check Ep 5900:14:46

Health Check Ep 59: What you can eat to sleep better

14:46 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Dr Richard Swinburne, a sleep scientist and the Head of Sports Nutrition at the Singapore Sports Institute on sleep nutrition, how he flew to Texas a few years ago to help Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling to sleep better and why you need to sleep well before and after getting your Covid-19 vaccine.

They discuss the following points:

  1. You can get DNA-tested to see how sensitive you are to caffeine (1:04)
  2. Caffeine takes 4-6 hours to break down to half its strength, using a double espresso as an example (1:59)
  3. How kiwi fruit, tart cherry in natural concentrate or pill form - and omega 3 fish oils for children - can encourage good sleep (2:29)
  4. How having enough sleep can help you before and after a Covid-19 vaccination? (5:46)
  5. Helping Singapore's Olympic swim champion Joseph Schooling with the perfect performance-enhancing drug called "Zzzz" (7:24)

Listen to Ep 60 - How to sleep right: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/how-to-sleep-right-health-check-ep-60

Ep 9 - Why sleep habits need to be formed when young: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/why-sleep-habits-need-to-be-formed-when-young-heal

Ep 10 - Can schools and parents help boost the cognition and well-being of sleep-deprived Singaporean teenagers? https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/can-schools-and-parents-help-boost-the-cognition-a

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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#healthcheck

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15 Mar 2022S1E79: How will the new Healthier SG strategy affect me? - Health Check00:21:45

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Last week (March 9), Singapore’s Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that the country is working towards a model where each resident will see one regular general practitioner or polyclinic doctor for all his or her care needs. The doctor will work out a personalised care plan to help nip diseases in the bud and keep him or her out of the hospital as much as possible.

With this Healthier SG strategy, GPs will become the anchor of Singapore’s healthcare system as the country makes the shift from hospital-centric care to a more sustainable way of preventive care. 

From next year (2023), each resident will be invited to enrol with a primary care doctor such as a GP to work out a personalised care plan. The details still need to be worked out. The Government said it will consult stakeholders on this strategy, and provide more details in a white paper in the second half of the year.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Adjunct Associate Professor Tan Tze Lee, a family physician and the president of the College of Family Physicians, Singapore, to find out more about how this new strategy will affect the residents here.

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:19 How will enrolling with a family physician affect residents?

05:38 Do existing patients who see the polyclinics or hospitals have to switch to this new plan? 

09:02 What difference does this make if I am already going for regular check-ups?

14:10 How long will it take before we see results from this new scheme?

15:41 What would be the key challenge with this programme?

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani and Teo Tong Kai

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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10 Sep 2019S1E18: What to know about gut health, and your poo: Health Check Ep 1800:11:17

Health Check Ep 18: What to know about gut health, and your poo

11.17 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests. 

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Lai Jiunn Herng from Lai Endoscopy and Colorectal Surgery at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. 

He tells you what you need to know about gut health, and answers the following questions: 

1. Why do we have to look into the toilet bowl before we flush?

2. Should we take cultured milk drinks or probiotic supplements to boost our gut health?

3. Which type of fibre-rich foods is best, if we want to reduce our risk of colorectal cancer?

4. Why should we bother about our poo?

5. Will spending time on the toilet bowl harm our health?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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21 May 2019S1E11: How to use the Fast method to recognise a stroke and react quickly: Health Check Ep 1100:09:11

Health Check Ep 11: How to use the Fast method to recognise a stroke and react quickly

9:11 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

Our guest for this episode is Dr Shekhawat Ravindra Singh (pictured left), an associate consultant at the Department of Neurology at the National Neuroscience Institute. He tells us how to recognise a stroke, also known as a brain attack, as well as how to prevent one.

He answers the following questions:

  1. Why do people still turn up late for treatment of suspected strokes? (0:57)
  2. What are the symptoms? What are the dos and don'ts? (1:10)
  3. What treatment can you expect at the emergency department after? (3:10)
  4. Can strokes be prevented? Smoking is a major factor for young victims aged 25 onwards (4:50)
  5. Rare causes of strokes (5:40)

For family members or even strangers who run into potential stroke victims, learn the Fast test.

F stands for Face: Smile and see if one side of the face droops.

A stands for Arms: Raise both arms. Does one arm
drop down?

S stands for Speech: Say a short phrase and check for slurred or strange speech.

T stands for Time: If the answer to any of these is yes, call 995 in Singapore right away and seek emergency help.

Do share this podcast via the channels below with your friends and loved ones.

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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29 Aug 2024S1E1: Get a headstart in your finances & career from our new ST podcast00:01:40

Here's a sneak peek into our rebranded podcast channel.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

Our previous Money and Career podcast channel is now rebranded HeadSTart on Record, taking on a fresher and sharper approach on how to chase your aspirations and grow your money. 

Hosts Sue-Ann Tan and Tay Hong Yi will speak with guests on how to navigate jobs and finances in a daunting, complex world. 

Hong Yi has been covering manpower and talent topics for ST, with a focus on careers, the job market and workforce trends. 

Sue-Ann will look at how to invest your money and the delicate balancing act between saving and living. Sept 2 Monday sees her first episode dropping across our audio platforms and the ST app.

Stay tuned for more episodes on chewy topics like how far would you go for your pay cheque and how you can invest from age 18.

Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa

Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X

Read Tay Hong Yi's articles: https://str.sg/w6cz

Follow Tay Hong Yi on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/D6vT

Get business/career tips in ST's HeadSTart newsletter: str.sg/headstart-nl

Produced by: Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg), Tay Hong Yi (hytay@sph.com.sg),  Ernest Luis and Amirul Karim

Edited by: Amirul Karim

Follow HeadSTart On Record Podcast channel here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3

Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

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17 Jun 2020S1E39: Smokers at higher risk during Covid-19 times: Health Check Ep 3900:12:33

Health Check Ep 39: Smokers at higher risk during Covid-19 times

12:33 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times.

This episode is on smoking. We all know it is harmful. According to the World Health Organisation, research suggests that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe Covid-19 outcomes and death. Yet, many people keep on puffing. (2:00)

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Dr Lambert Low, a consultant at the National Addictions Management Service at the Institute of Mental Health, about smoking during the Covid-19 pandemic, why people smoke (3:00), and what it takes to quit smoking. (5:50)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

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---

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04 Feb 2020S1E29: Virologist Prof Wang Linfa offers hand hygiene tips to counter novel coronavirus threat: Health Check Ep 2900:12:18

Health Check Ep 29: Virologist Prof Wang Linfa offers hand hygiene tips to counter novel coronavirus threat

12:17 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up common misconceptions on health.

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo calls Professor Wang Linfa.

He is the director of the emerging infectious disease programme at Duke-NUS Medical School. He is also a virologist who was part of the World Health Organization Emergency Committee on the novel coronavirus outbreak.

We ask him the latest updates on the novel coronavirus, and what we can do to protect ourselves.

Professor Wang tells us:

  1. How to be aware and maintain hand hygiene when using lifts and public toilets, because contact transmission for the novel coronavirus is potent (1:17)
  2. Droplet transmission threat for coronaviruses: What should you do to protect yourself better when using taxis or private hire cars for example? (4:23)
  3. Is faecal transmission possible with the novel coronavirus? (6:35)
  4. Tips for older people and those with existing conditions (7:19)
  5. One good tip on using a ballpoint pen and its cap to press lift buttons and reduce your skin's exposure to possible coronaviruses (9:41)

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Penelope Lee

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---

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22 Oct 2019S1E21: How to treat and prevent kidney stones: Health Check Ep 2100:13:47

Health Check Ep 21: How to treat and prevent kidney stones

13:47 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks misconceptions with medical experts.

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis invite urologist Dr Tan Yung Khan from UroHealth Medical Clinic to debunk misconceptions about kidney stones.

He answers the following questions:

1. Should I cut my calcium intake to prevent kidney stones?

2. Is it true that drinking beer helps to keep kidney stones away?

3. What does sweating and hot yoga have to do with kidney stones?

4. Should I wait to pass them out or get them treated?

5. How do I prevent kidney stones and how much water should I drink?

6. How does a high Vitamin C intake affect my risk of kidney stones?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

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---

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19 Mar 2019S1E7: Should you limit your child's screen time?: Health Check Ep 700:08:05

Health Check Ep 7: Should you limit your child's screen time?

8:04 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said in January 2019, that it would not recommend any age-appropriate time limits because there is not enough evidence that screen time harms a child's health at any age. Instead, it recommends that families negotiate screen time limits with their children based on their needs.

However, the college did recommend that children refrain from using digital devices in the hour before bedtime because of evidence that they can harm sleep. (1:20)

Dr Ong Say How, a senior consultant and chief of the department of developmental psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health, said problems arise when screen time displaces physical activity and face-to-face social interaction as well as affects sleep and school performance.

Should you as a parent, be concerned when excessive screen time for your child displaces face-to-face social engagement and physical activity? (1:37)

Should a child below 18 months of age should not be exposed to any screen time at all, even if they are watching educational videos on mobile phones. (2:45)

Key recommendations on screen time from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health:

Families can ask these four key questions as a guide:

1. Is screen time in your household controlled?

2. Does screen use interfere with what your family wants to do?

3. Does screen use interfere with sleep?

4. Are you able to control snacking during screen time?

Key recommendations on screen time from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

1. For children younger than 18 months, avoid the use of screen media other than video-chatting.

2. Parents of children aged 18 to 24 months who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming and watch it with their children to help them understand what they are seeing.

3. For those aged two to five, limit screen use to one hour a day of high-quality programmes. Parents should watch the programmes with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them. (3:40)

Video games: Is that considered good or bad screen time? (5:00)

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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14 Aug 2022S1E6: Living with Covid-19 in Singapore and moving beyond00:16:01

Synopsis: This podcast series is based on selected chapters from a book detailing Singapore’s experience battling the Covid-19 pandemic. The book - written by journalists of The Straits Times and edited by ST’s executive editor Sumiko Tan - is titled In This Together: Singapore's Covid-19 Story and is available in major bookstores. Details online: https://www.stbooks.sg/

In this sixth and final instalment, ST's executive editor Sumiko Tan looks at how thousands of Singaporeans celebrated the country’s 57th birthday on Aug 9, 2022 at the Marina Bay floating platform. The day before, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said in his National Day message that Singapore was in a much better place in its fight against the coronavirus.

Highlights (click/tap above): (Headphones recommended)

1:43 Spectators at the parade say life has returned to normal, as they relish being among more than 25,000 attendees

2:45 PM Lee on why Singapore is in a "much better position". This follows a key turning point on April 26, 2022

5:15 Permanent secretary Pang Kin Keong, who heads the Homefront Crisis Executive Group, on how it had been more than two long years of high alert for public servants

6:46 Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on why Singapore will not declare a "Freedom Day" from Covid yet; Omicron subvariants fail to shake confidence

11:00 When will Covid-19 end? Mr Ong on booster shots becoming part of regular life and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on "feeling the stones" as Singapore "crosses the river"

13:32 PM Lee on why unity as a nation is crucial to move beyond this "test of a generation"

Produced by: Sumiko Tan (sumiko@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Audio snippets: Courtesy of MCI SINGAPORE, PSD Singapore & GOVSG YouTube

Closing music courtesy of NDPeeps' Spotify - Lo-fi cover of Home: https://str.sg/wRhu

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---

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---

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---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn 

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB 

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---

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03 Dec 2019S1E24: Are smart devices bad for infants? - Health Check Ep 2400:11:51

Health Check Ep 24: Are smart devices bad for infants?

11:50 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up some common misconceptions on health. In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Mae Wong, a senior consultant at the department of child development at KK Women's and Children's Hospital. 

This episode is aimed at the impact of early screen exposure on children's behaviour. A study here has shown that children as young as 18 months and below who get their first screen time in front of electronic devices, and even computers and the television, may experience more disrupted sleep as well as emotional and behavioural difficulties.  The study was published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics earlier this year.

She answers the following questions: 

1. Why parents need to be aware of having screens or mobile devices in the same bedroom as their infant children (1:58)

2. Spotting symptoms like hyperactivity, poor attention, increased temper tantrums and parental/caregiver management strategies in Singapore (4:01)

3. Tips on setting clear house rules like time, and working in a variety of interactive activities (5:33)

4. For children with neuro-developmental disorders, their parents surveyed revealed an average screen time exposure of four hours a day (6:53) 

5. How grandparents and domestic helpers should also pick tips up from parents on managing their young children and not using mobile devices as simple babysitting tools (9:33) 

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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25 Jun 2018S1E2: Health Check EP 2: Health Check - How to control blood sugar levels when eating out and tweak your favourite kaya toast breakfast set00:11:10

Health Check

Episode 2

Duration: 11 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Tuesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

This episode targets diabetics and the general public as well, if they want to avoid diabetes. Get practical dieting tips especially if you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes.

How do you navigate when eating out or at hawker centres? How do you keep your portions controlled, to avoid blood glucose levels shooting up? What vegetables should you go for?

When it comes to one of Singapore's favourite breakfast sets - the kaya toast meal and its accompanying drink - what can you tweak, to make it a healthier set?

Join Ernest Luis, head of podcasting, and Linette Lai, a health correspondent with The Straits Times, as they host Dr Kalpana Bhaskaran, head of the Glycaemic Index Research Unit at Temasek Polytechnic, and vice-president of Diabetes Singapore.

Produced by: Ernest Luis and Linette Lai

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Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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01 Nov 2022S1E94: Let’s talk about organ donation00:24:00

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Organ donation usually takes place after brain death, which is when there is total and irreversible loss of brain function. A patient with brain death cannot breathe on his own, and cannot recover, but his organs may still function for some time as he is supported on a ventilator. This is when conversations on organ donations typically take place.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Associate Professor Tan Hui Ling, the Assistant Chairman of the Medical Board, Clinical Quality and Audit, and a senior consultant at the Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine department at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) to find out more about the organ donation process and address some of the concerns that people may have about it.

At TTSH, Prof Tan spearheaded a programme to train the multi-disciplinary ICU teams (doctors, nurses, medical social workers) on the management of brain death and organ donation. 

She was the director of TTSH's neurological Intensive Care Unit and chair of the hospital’s Brain Death and Organ Donation Taskforce from 2010 to 2018. Prof Tan was awarded the National Healthcare Group’s Distinguished Achievement Award this year for her various contributions.

In Singapore, under the Human Organ Transplant Act, all citizens and permanent residents will be considered as organ donors, unless they opt out of it. The act allows for the kidneys, heart, liver and corneas to be donated for transplantation in the event of death. 

There is also t​he Medical Therapy, Education and Research Act​, which is a voluntary opt-in scheme​ that allows any individual ​aged 18 and above​ ​to donate ​his or her organs, tissues or even the whole body​ upon death,​ for transplantation, education and research.

In 2017, the National Organ Transplant Unit introduced the donor coordinator role  to better support potential brain-dead donor families. This donation specialist will support the donor family and address their queries or concerns on the donation process. When the donor assessment starts, the transplant coordinator takes over.  

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:26 Organ donation rates in Singapore

3:41 Process of organ donations

7:04 Story about an organ donor 

17:16 What can be done to speed up organ waiting time?

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

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---

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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19 Feb 2019S1E5: Health Check Ep 5: Can coffee or a piping hot cup of tea increase your risk of cancer?00:10:01

Health Check Season 1: Can coffee or a piping hot cup of tea increase your risk of cancer?

10:01 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

Dr Wong Seng Weng - medical director and consultant medical oncologist at The Cancer Centre - answers the following questions.

Can drinking coffee increase the risk of getting cancer? What's a safe amount of coffee to drink daily? Four cups? Or is that considered too many?

To help prevent an increased risk of oesophageal cancer, how long should you let that piping hot beverage cool before you drink it?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

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03 Dec 2020S1E49: Porn is not real; how to recognise an addiction: Health Check Ep 4900:16:20

Health Check Ep 49: Porn is not real; how to recognise an addiction

16:20 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times.   

Online porn use has reportedly gone up during the Covid-19 pandemic as reported by The Economist in May. However, there's a dark side to porn. Excessive consumption of porn affects the viewer, his or her relationships and society.  Viewing pornography can become a lifelong addiction.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Andrew da Roza, an addictions psychotherapist who specialises in sex addiction at Promises Healthcare.

They discuss how a predatory porn industry is out there trying to get to children, how harmful online porn addiction can be, and what you can do about it.

  1. Why parents need to buy porn-blocking and activity tracking software with the most popular version used here, being Net Nanny (3:45)
  2. Parents should know how porn can be damaging for a child's brain development (5:23)
  3. Why porn addiction is recognised in other countries as a serious mental health crisis; its impact on fear of real relationships and how scientifically, it hijacks healthy sexual development in youth (6:03)
  4. Treatment options for youth and adults and the various types of patients with varying levels of porn addiction (9:39)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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---

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Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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26 Jun 2022S1E5: Singapore's Covid-19 Crisis Communication plan00:16:42

Synopsis: This podcast series is based on selected chapters from a book detailing Singapore’s experience battling the Covid-19 pandemic. The book - written by journalists of The Straits Times and edited by ST’s executive editor Sumiko Tan - is titled In This Together: Singapore's Covid-19 Story and is available in major bookstores. Details online: https://www.stbooks.sg/

In this fifth of six instalments, ST's executive editor Sumiko Tan looks back at how the government communicated its Covid 19 strategy in the first two years of the pandemic. This included bringing back the 1990s sitcom character Phua Chu Kang to persuade people to get vaccinated, and setting up a hotline call centre during the hurried switch to home recovery in late 2021 when the Delta variant raged. 

Highlights (click/tap above): (Headphones recommended)

01:13 Snippet from viral music video featuring actor Gurmit Singh playing Phua Chu Kang; Mr Daniel Lee, an officer from the Ministry of Communications and Information, explains how the video was meant to target those in their 40s and 50s

02:50 Mr Janadas Devan, Chief of Government Communications, on the importance of maintaining public trust

06:54 Learning and adapting: The biggest comms mistake? 

08:21 In 2021, the challenge was to get the elderly vaccinated; more music video campaigns rolled out in Chinese dialects, Malay and Tamil

11:25 Ms Lam Wy-Ning, deputy director of the Case Management Contact Centre, on setting up and manning the Covid-19 hotline during the difficult Delta variant period; dealing with widespread fear, anxiety, confusion

14:25 Minister for Communications and Information Mrs Josephine Teo in Parliament in March 2022

Produced by: Sumiko Tan (sumiko@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Audio snippets: Courtesy of MCI SINGAPORE, GOVSG YOUTUBE

Follow Singapore's War On Covid podcast series here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wuJa

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3n

Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJy

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg 

Read Sumiko Tan's stories: https://str.sg/Jbhe 

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u 

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt 

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE 

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN 

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf 

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m 

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE 

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad 

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX 

---

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa 

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn 

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB 

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa 

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB 

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX 

#stcovidbook

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01 Nov 2023S1E116: Take charge of your menopause00:36:16

Find out more about menopause and what you can do about it.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Menopause is a natural part of aging but the time leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, affects each woman differently.

Associate Professor Rukshini Puvanendran, the head and senior consultant of Family Medicine Service, and the co-lead of KK Menopause Centre at ​KKH, said that while many people are aware of menopause, they do not fully understand it​. There are also many misconceptions surrounding menopause, with the most common being that hormone replacement therapy ​or HRT is harmful.

Still, menopause is a stage of life that also marks a new beginning for women.  ​In the west, there's even a new trend in the travel industry - menopause retreats. Women are embracing their menopausal transition and willing to pay for vacations that combine spa treatments with fitness or yoga sessions and advice on how to deal with symptoms like hot flushes.

​​In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to ​Assoc Prof Rukshini to find out​ more about how menopause affects women, how safe HRT is as well as other ways of managing the symptoms.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:07 When do women in Singapore experience menopause

2:20 How does it affect the body?

6:46 What other issues should menopausal women be aware of?

13:36 When should women seek help for the symptoms they experience?

19:33 Misconceptions of hormone replacement therapy

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Amirul Karim & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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03 May 2023S1E105: Raising a resilient child00:29:44

Our guest explains the importance of parent-child relationships to build resilience in children.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this episode, Straits Times senior health correspondent Joyce Teo invites educational psychologist Danielle Seah to talk about what parents can do to help build resilience in children.

Ms Seah said parents need to spend the time and make the effort to connect and bond with their children. One of the most important factor for children to develop resilience is for them to have at least one stable relationship with a parent or caregiver, she said.

In the podcast, she also discussed the common mistakes that parents make, when it comes to building resilience, as well as some of the questions in a booklet titled Raising A Resilient Child, such as “why does your child suffer from emotional regulation?” and “why can’t your child control his/her behaviours?”. 

Ms Seah wrote the booklet together with senior psychologist Kelly Lee, as part of the recent Youth Epidemiology and Resilience (YEAR) study conducted by the Mind Science Centre at the National University of Singapore. They are both now working in the private sector. 

The free booklet, which was released last year and available online, addresses the common questions that parents have, based on the factors on the Singapore Youth Resilience Scale, which examines the resilience profiles of youths in the country.

The 10 Domains of Resilience identified under the scale are

1. Emotional Regulation

2. Personal Control

3. Personal Confidence/Responsibility

4. Flexibility

5. Perseverance

6. Optimisim/Positive Self-image

7. Positive Coping

8. Humour/Positive Thinking

9. Relationships/Social Support

10. Spiritually/Faith

Resilience is the ability to cope with difficult life experiences. It is a dynamic process that can change depending on the moment and situation. It is also defined by an individual’s characteristics (character, beliefs and experiences) and the context, said the Mind Science Centre. 

The centre, which worked with some schools here for the YEAR study said that it is also the interaction between biology and environment that builds a student’s ability to cope with adversity and to overcome threats to healthy development.

Led by Associate Professor John Wong, the study had found that only about one in 10 parents observed signs of distress in their children, but one in three adolescents reported such symptoms. Prof Wong, the Lin Jo Yan and Yeo Boon Khim Professor in Mental Health and Neuroscience, had said that it is a timely call for parents to develop a relationship with their children when they are young.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:06 What an educational psychologist does?

4:56: Mistakes that parents often make

12:26 How does "letting go", build resilience in the child?

16:30 Tips for raising a resilient child

Helplines
MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366ONLINE RESOURCES
•  mindline.sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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06 Oct 2020S1E45: How to age well and achieve a lower biological age: Health Check Ep 4500:19:44

Health Check Ep 45: How to age well and achieve a lower biological age

19:44 mins

Synopsis: Fortnightly on Wednesdays, get healthier living tips as The Straits Times chats with expert guests. 

Some people seem to age very quickly, and look older than their age, while others appear to age less rapidly. When we are young, we want to look and feel older than we are. When we are older, we want to look and feel young, though this means having to keep frailty and chronic diseases at bay.

Thankfully, scientists in the anti-ageing research field are busy studying how we can delay ageing so that people can stay healthy longer, and in the process, look better too.

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with anti-ageing expert, Prof Brian Kennedy - the director of the NUHS Centre for Healthy Longevity - on what we can do to achieve a lower biological age and keep ageing at bay.

Prof Kennedy calls ageing the "climate change of healthcare" as ageing is the largest risk factor for chronic illnesses like cardiovascular diseases. He adds that healthcare should be about preventive care and not just sick care.

Listen to Pt 2 of interview with Prof Kennedy on ageing well

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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04 Jun 2019S1E12: Fact-checking common myths about colorectal cancer: Health Check Ep 1200:09:55

Health Check Ep 12: Fact-checking common myths about colorectal cancer

9:54 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

ST correspondent Joyce Teo (right) and health reporter Rei Kurohi (left) interview Professor Francis Seow-Choen (pictured centre), a colorectal surgeon from Concord International Hospital.

He lays out the facts about colorectal cancer, which is the number one cancer in Singapore, and answers the following questions:

  1. What is colorectal cancer? (0:33)
  2. What are the biggest misconceptions about this cancer and why? (0:48)
  3. What role does sugar intake play? Can vegans and vegetarians get colorectal cancer? (2:37)
  4. What about environmental factors causing colorectal cancer? (5:50)
  5. When should we start going for screening and how often? (6:55)

Professor Seow-Choen also says that family history and genes determine the first cause of colorectal cancer. But 80% of all patients also do not have any family history, so environmental factors and ageing come into play next.

Produced by: Joyce Teo, Rei Kurohi and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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09 Oct 2019S1E20: Sex and other addictions - how to deal with them: Health Check Ep 2000:13:46

Health Check Ep 20: Sex and other addictions - how to deal with them and why people get addicted

13:46 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests. 

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Munidasa Winslow, a well-known addictions expert and the founder of Promises Healthcare.

He gives you the lowdown on addictions and answers the following questions:

1. What are the different types of addictions?

2. Is sex addiction a big problem here and when does it become serious? 

3. Who are the ones who are more prone to addictions? 

4. How can you tell if you have an addiction problem?

5. How to deal with withdrawal cravings and what can you do about your addiction?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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03 Oct 2023S1E114: Feeling safe in a monthly peer support group00:22:23

Find out what these 'circles' of resilience are.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Peer support groups are a regular gathering of persons with lived experiences of mental health conditions. They have come together to support one another, and the mental health support they offer is what you can only get from someone who has been where you are. 

To learn more about peer support groups and the help they offer, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts two participants from a monthly peer support group at a local mental health charity Resilience Collective (RC).

They are Min, a 25-year-old aspiring nurse and counsellor, and Teo Guoxiang, a 35-year-old assistant manager with the Programmes Team at RC, whom Min addresses as GX. Hear about their personal stories, what it takes to join a peer support group and how joining such a group - which RC calls Circles of Resilience - has helped them.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:05 What is  a 'Resilience Collective'?; Why Min joined a peer support group

9:29 The agreement you have to sign upon becoming a member of a peer support group

12:17 How GX joined Resilience Collection (RC) and eventually became a staff member

16:54 How the peer support group helped Min and GX

20:36 Things to be aware of before joining a peer support group; the difference it has made

Helplines

MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

ONLINE RESOURCES
•  moht.com.sg/mindline-sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Jul 2018S1E4: Health Check EP 4: Clearing the top 3 myths about gestational diabetes during pregnancy00:08:53

Health Check Ep 4

8:40 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Tuesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

This episode debunks three myths on gestational diabetes, and looks at how expectant mothers here and their spouses should take this topic more seriously, including those planning a family.  

Co-hosts Joyce Teo, a correspondent with The Straits Times, and head of podcasting Ernest Luis, tackle the myths with Dr Ben Ng, an endocrinologist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.

He explains that gestational diabetes is a condition where your blood sugars are abnormal during the course of pregnancy, which is caused by physiological changes and stress during the term.

What is the risk factor of someone developing diabetes after gestational diabetes?  

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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20 Dec 2022S1E97: Cancer screening: what to look out for00:29:38

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Come next year, Singapore will launch its major preventive health strategy Healthier SG, which will include free cancer screening for three cancer - colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer. Are these enough? Should you pay to screen for other cancers? Should you pay for a cancer marker test?

To answer these questions and more, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Dr Wong Seng Weng, the medical director and consultant medical oncologist of The Cancer Centre under the Singapore Medical Group.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:57 Advice for cancer screening in Singapore

7:09 Family cancer history that might affect you

12:09 Faecal Immunochemical Test - is it accurate?

18:05 Are the health screening packages in the market recommended?

27:36 Advice for people: when should you start screening?

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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17 Jan 2023S1E99: Is a fourth Covid shot necessary?00:15:15

This question is nuanced, so find out who could benefit from repeated boosters. 

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

It has been about three years since the Covid-19 virus was detected here, and Singapore has transitioned to living with it. Bivalent boosters are now available at all Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres, and selected Polyclinics and participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics. The urgency to get the boosters, however, seems to have waned considerably. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, an expert on infectious diseases and the vice-dean of global health at the National University of Singapore Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, to find out more about the need to get a second booster.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:40 Do you need a Covid booster shot?

3:49 Misconceptions of booster shot side effects

6:04 Is there a difference between the two bivalent vaccines in Singapore? Should there be a big worry about the impact of China's infections on the world?

10:22 Precautions that children should take

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

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---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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17 Nov 2020S1E48: Why is lung cancer no.1 killer among cancers? - Health Check Ep 4800:14:49

Health Check Ep 48: Why is lung cancer no.1 killer among cancers?

14:48 mins

Synopsis: Fortnightly on Wednesdays, get healthier living tips as The Straits Times chats with expert guests.

With November being Lung Cancer Awareness Month, this episode looks at how lung cancer is the no.1 killer among cancers here in Singapore and globally, and will shed light on advanced treatments as well as how to minimise your chances of getting lung cancer. This episode is brought to you by MSD.

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Dr Philip Eng, a senior consultant respiratory physician who has his own clinic - the Philip Eng Respiratory & Medical Clinic at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. He has lectured in various countries, trained many doctors in the region, and published numerous articles.

They discuss the following:

1. How can non-smokers get lung cancer? For air pollution, what is the WHO (World Health Organisation) standard for PM2.5 levels? (1:42)

2. How has lung cancer treatment evolved to today's gold standard of keyhole surgery, alongside other treatments such as stereotactic radiotherapy, safer chemotherapy drugs, immunotherapy and targeted therapy? (4:00)

4. Advice on how to protect yourself to cover the cost of such treatments: Buy good extra insurance coverage when you're young and fit (7:52)

5. Innovations in lung cancer treatments such as proton beam therapy and costs of such therapies (10:10)

6. Best way to decrease lung cancer risk factors and how smokers should do more effective CT lung scans instead of normal chest X-rays (12:27)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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01 Sep 2021S1E67: How worried should vaccinated people be about Covid-19? - Health Check Ep 6700:16:40

Health Check Ep 67: How worried should vaccinated people be about Covid-19?

16:39 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

With the majority of Singapore's population fully vaccinated, how worried should the vaccinated be about Covid-19, as we learn to live with the endemic disease?

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Dr Louisa Sun, a consultant at the Infectious Diseases and Chronic Programme at Alexandra Hospital about:

  1. Risk of dying from Covid-19 if you're below 40 or older (2:24)
  2. Have the symptoms changed with the Delta variant, and how long does recovery take? (4:29)
  3. How complex is the medical phenomenon of 'long Covid' symptoms and why it is a worry for the vaccinated (10:31)
  4. Why public measures such as masking up and safe distancing can continue to protect Singaporeans against 'long Covid' symptoms such as 'brain fog' (13:00)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

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---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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12 Aug 2020S1E41: The pandemic is affecting the way people with hearing loss communicate: Health Check Ep 4100:13:14

Health Check Ep 41: The pandemic is affecting the way people with hearing loss communicate

13:13 mins

Synopsis: Fortnightly on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up common misconceptions on health with expert guests.

ST's senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Dr Ho Eu Chin, a senior consultant from the department of Otorhinolaryngology at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

He explains why mask-wearing during this Covid-19 pandemic has made communication harder for the hearing-impaired. This is worsened by the lack of facial cues.

1. More people are coming forward to seek medical advice and consider hearing aids (1:25)

2. Find out about latest links between hearing loss and dementia published in The Lancet (6:36)

3. Why wearing hearing aids only when you leave home, does not help you in the longer run (8:30)

4. When should you seek medical advice for suspected hearing loss? (11:20)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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29 Dec 2020S1E51: How to find the right doctor: Health Check Ep 5100:12:24

Health Check Ep 51: How to find the right doctor

12:24 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo asks Associate Professor Jeremy Lim, the director of global health at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, for tips on how to find the right doctor.

They discuss the factors he considers when he is asked by his family and friends to recommend a doctor.  

Thank you for listening to the ST Health Check Podcast this year. Please continue to support us in the new year, as we strive to bring you more podcasts that will help boost your mind and body. 

Wishing all our listeners a Happy New Year!

Listen to Pt 1 with Associate Prof Jeremy Lim on the pros and cons of online doctor reviews: https://str.sg/JRzh

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee

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Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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02 Jun 2020S1E38: Stress fractures from running too much during Covid-19 pandemic? - Health Check Ep 3800:15:42

Health Check Ep 38: Stress fractures from running too much during Covid-19 pandemic?

15:41 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times guiding you to a better understanding of health issues with healthy living tips.

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we keep fit. Many people have taken to running as a form of exercise, never mind that they have never run till now or that they don't have a pair of proper running shoes.

ST senior correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Dr Tan Ken Jin, an orthopaedic surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, to find out more about the recent cases of stress fractures he has seen, how to prevent these from happening to you, as well as how inactivity can affect you.

He also talks about why you may want to consider standing up while working at home.

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) and Ernest Luis

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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14 Dec 2021S1E74: Fight ageing with exercise: Health Check Ep 7400:15:18

Health Check Ep 74: Fight ageing with exercise

15:18 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

It's almost the end of the year, and nearly two years since the coronavirus emerged and changed the way we work, live and play. If you haven't been exercising, it's time to start. If you have been taking short walks now and then, it's time to walk a bit more on a regular basis.

This is because every step you take will help to keep you physically - and mentally - younger. Ageing is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases. An ageing body is just less able to fight diseases, but if you can do something about your ageing body and brain, you may be able to delay the onset of these diseases.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Professor Andrea Maier, the co-director of the National University Health System's Centre for Healthy Longevity, who is passionate about researching functional ageing and healthy longevity. Prof Maier is also the Oon Chiew Seng Professor in Medicine and Functional Ageing at the National University of Singapore.

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

00:48 Reasons to exercise and how it can slow down ageing

03:15 Can exercise prevent memory loss and improve thinking skills? What exactly happens in the brain when we exercise?

07:44 Minimum exercise duration and/or the number of steps recommended in order to see its health benefits

10:01 Does the intensity of the exercise matter?

11:46 How can exercise help immune systems of the aged and help the elderly clear up the Covid-19 virus if they're infected?

*Joyce Teo will return with her next episode on Jan 19, 2022.

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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15 Nov 2023S1E117: The promise of digital medicine00:26:58

Learn about digital therapeutics.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Traditional healthcare is based on doctor and hospital visits, and it can take a long time to obtain appointments to see a healthcare professional. What if one day, an individual can be prescribed a digital therapy for their depression or other health issues remotely? He or she would not have to take any medications. 

In this Health Check podcast episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to ​Professor Dean Ho, the director of the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) at the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the head of the NUS biomedical engineering department, to find out more about digital therapeutics or DTx. 

He’s just written a book on DTx with two other researchers Mr Yoann Sapanel and Dr Agata Blasiak from the institute titled Medicine Without Meds: Revolutionising Healthcare With Digital Solutions.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:12 What is DTx?

9:24 Challenges of DTx?

10:57 How can DTx further personalise care? 

23:05 Prof Ho’s experiments

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Amirul Karim & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

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Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

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Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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18 Jan 2022S1E75: How do you trust an AI-powered healthcare machine? - Health Check Ep 7500:17:05

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionise healthcare but it is hotly debated.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo invites Prof Joseph Sung, dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at the Nanyang Technological University. 

They discuss how AI can help us improve our health and change the future of healthcare, particularly in primary care at home.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:55 What the future of AI in healthcare can look like

04:11 Trust - a major issue when it comes to technology in healthcare

07:41 The most exciting AI tool expected to be seen in Singapore

10:40 AI-related research that might disrupt healthcare

12:17 Legal aspects and liability issues that may occur when AI and machines are involved

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Fa'izah Sani

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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03 Jul 2019S1E13: Burnout - what types are there and how to spot it: Health Check Ep 1300:10:13

Health Check Ep 13: Burnout - what types are there and how to spot it

10:12 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

In this episode, correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis ask Dr Lim Boon Leng, a psychiatrist at Gleneagles Medical Centre, to share more on burnout.

It is a condition that was classified - by the World Health Organisation in late May 2019 - as an occupational phenomenon and not a medical condition.

Dr Lim answers the following questions:

1. What exactly is burnout and how serious can it get? (1:25)

2. What are other kinds of burnout, like parental or caregiver burnout? (3:22)

3. After hearing about Luis' own burnout experience, Dr Lim shares why it is important to heed early warning signs seriously (4:55)

4. What are the red flags to look out? (5:52)

5. How about student burnout and what are the signs of stress to look out for in children? (8:42)

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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20 Oct 2020S1E46: Is there such a concept as an anti-ageing diet? - Health Check Ep 4600:21:17

Health Check Ep 46: Is there such a concept as an anti-ageing diet?

21:16 mins

Synopsis: Fortnightly on Wednesdays, get healthier living tips as The Straits Times chats with expert guests. 

People are living longer, but not necessarily better if they have multiple chronic diseases.

In ageing research, scientists strive to find ways to improve healthspan - the period of life that is spent in good health. They are studying different methods, including calorie restriction and fasting.

So, is there such a concept as the best anti-ageing diet, and are there foods to eat or avoid when it comes to delaying ageing?

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts anti-ageing expert, Prof Brian Kennedy, the director of the NUHS Centre for Healthy Longevity, on how we can manage our diet in order to delay ageing.

Listen to Pt 1 of interview with Prof Brian Kennedy

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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04 Jul 2023S1E109: Talking about youth mental health00:26:29

Our guests share how they dealt with their mental ups and downs.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

ST Podcasts is five years old! To celebrate our 5th anniversary, we recorded this episode live in front of an audience at Temasek Shophouse with three guests, and the topic was on youth mental health. 

Young people are a lot more open to talking about their mental health challenges these days, but there’s still quite a lot of stigma surrounding mental health. To normalise mental health conversations, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts three mental health advocates. 

The first guest is Singaporean national swimmer Quah Ting Wen, a three-time Olympian who recently earned the prestigious title of Best Athlete at the 2023 South-east Asian (SEA) Games held in Cambodia.

The second guest is Sherman Ho, the co-founder of Happiness initiative, a social enterprise that focuses on well-being research and runs well-being programmes in schools, for companies and in the community. 

The third guest is Sabrina Ooi, the co-founder & CEO of Calm Collective Asia, an organisation with the mission to normalise mental health conversations amongst professionals in Asia, through talks, programmes and roundtables.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:16 Ting Wen on life as a professional swimmer (it is not always rosy!)

2:57 Sherman on being in the happiness business, and talking about unhappiness

4:11 Sabrina talks about her past, when she was haunted by suicidal thoughts and how its normal to not feel well mentally

9:31 How Ting Wen’s first two years of college in the United States went

18:40 Tips on what to do when people talk to you about their mental health

Listen to our other live recording at Temasek Shophouse for Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/iUyv

Listen to Sabrina Ooi in Health Check Ep 110 - What a suicide survivor wants you to know: https://str.sg/iioq

Helplines

MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

ONLINE RESOURCES
•  moht.com.sg/mindline-sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Read more: https://str.sg/iwki

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

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SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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28 Aug 2019S1E17: When we should be worried about colorectal cancer: Health Check Ep 1700:09:44

Health Check Ep 17: When we should be worried about colorectal cancer

9:44 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests. 

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Lai Jiunn Herng from Lai Endoscopy and Colorectal Surgery at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre.

They discuss the symptoms of colorectal cancer,  the No. 1 cancer here in Singapore.

They ask him the following questions:
- Does bleeding in our stools mean we may have cancer?
- What types of abdominal pain are cause for concern?
- Should we be worried about unusual toilet habits?
- What can we do to reduce our risk of colorectal cancer?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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05 Dec 2023S1E118: What are the stories you want to tell with your life?00:17:11

It is always good to start having end-of life conversations early.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

End-of-life planning is never easy. A better way could be to start the process early by planning for the life you want to lead and leave behind. 

After all, death is a part of life, and it may be helpful to start thinking about it years before, said a palliative care doctor and a surgeon who does not shy away from talking about death and dying well with her patients.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to two guests. They discuss the importance of end-of-life planning and palliative care, and how talking about death can help us come to terms with this reality.  

Dr Tan Yia Swam is a breast surgeon with her own practice at Mount Alvernia Hospital. She was a former Nominated MP and the past president of the Singapore Medical Association.

Dr Shirlynn Ho is the deputy head and senior consultant of the Division of Supportive & Palliative Care at National Cancer Centre Singapore. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:08 Broaching the topic of palliative care

6:30 Why is there a rising urgency for palliative care?

10:41 Story about a dying patient

13:32 How do medical professionals convey information to families?

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Amirul Karim and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Feb 2023S1E101: A rare disease that causes unprovoked recurrent swellings00:21:29

Our expert guest discusses the importance of early detection.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In Singapore, around 2,000-3,000 people have a rare disease. One of them is Hereditary Angioedema or HAE, which is a rare genetic disorder that results in recurrent unprovoked swelling of various sites of the body, including the stomach, genitals or throat. 

There are about 20 HAE cases in Singapore, and Tan Tock Seng Hospital manages the largest pool of HAE patients among the public hospitals. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo finds out more about it from Dr Tan Sze-Chin, a Senior Consultant from the Department of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology at TTSH. He talks about the need for early screening and detection because acute swelling of the larynx can block the airway and result in fatal consequences. TTSH has set up a local HAE registry.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:16 Frequency of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) attacks; what actions can individuals take to manage them?

5:45 What can you do if you are diagnosed with HAE

7:37 If you have symptoms, where should you go for help?

15:47 If you are an index case, what can you do?

18:44 Difficulties in caring for individuals with HAE

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Aug 2023S1E111: How to make it easier for people to live till the end at home00:21:52

The future of end-of-life options with dignity in Singapore.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Many people wish to die in the comfort of their own homes, surrounded by their loved ones. However, the reality is that it is not so easy to do so yet.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Ms Sim Bee Hia, the executive director of the Singapore Hospice Council, about the challenges involved.

They also discussed what the fraternity plans to do to make it easier for people to live out their lives at home.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:49 The challenges to enable someone to die at home if they wish to

4:18 Empowering caregivers

9:42 How will it look like in the future for someone to die at home

12:11 The role that primary care doctors can play

16:17 Importance of death literacy

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Paxton Pang and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 May 2021S1E60: How to sleep right: Health Check Ep 6000:10:43

Health Check Ep 60: How to sleep right

10:42 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with ​Dr Richard Swinburne, a sleep scientist and the Head of Sports Nutrition at the Singapore Sports Institute on sleep hygiene, how long a nap should be and how a lack of sleep can affect your health.

They discuss the following points:

  1. Develop a good sleep-wake basic routine; go to bed and wake up within 30-60 minutes of the same time each day (2:50)
  2. How having less than 6 hours of sleep a night will seriously affect long-term health (4:18)
  3. How long should an effective nap be? (6:53)
  4. What happens to your body when you wake up after a hour-long nap, and why taxi drivers should try not to drive till 30 minutes after they wake up (7:18)
  5. How good sleep nourishes the body and a person's emotional health (8:50)

Listen to Ep 59 - What you can eat to sleep better: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/health-check-ep-59

Ep 9 - Why sleep habits need to be formed when young: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/why-sleep-habits-need-to-be-formed-when-young-heal

Ep 10 - Can schools and parents help boost the cognition and well-being of sleep-deprived Singaporean teenagers? https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/can-schools-and-parents-help-boost-the-cognition-a

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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03 Nov 2021S1E71: Why lifelong immunity from Covid-19 is unlikely: Health Check Ep 7100:15:55

Health Check Ep 71: Why lifelong immunity from Covid-19 is unlikely

15:54 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Singapore is gradually opening its borders to allow for quarantine-free travel as it moves towards a new normal of living with Covid-19. However, at home, restrictions remain in place to protect the unvaccinated seniors and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

The country is seeing very high numbers of daily Covid-19 cases, with a considerable number of people in the hospitals and about 10 or more dying from complications linked to Covid-19. Unvaccinated older adults account for most of these deaths, though some vaccinated people have also succumbed to the complications of the disease.

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, an expert on infectious diseases at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health to find out more.

  1. Are daily deaths expected in the year ahead, and will this number ever be reduced? (0:35)
  2. Endemics always see infections come and go in waves, and Covid-19 is no different (4:40)
  3. What is known about vaccinated elderly succumbing to Covid-19? (5:22)
  4. Moderation is key to maintaining the balance between staying at home and going out for social benefits (7:00)
  5. Likelihood of lifelong immunity from the first two standard Covid-19 jabs and a booster is unlikely, so yearly boosters should be expected (10:35)
  6. Views on vaccinating children with only one dose of MRNA vaccines, based on medical opinions in Europe and US (13:47)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Penelope Lee and Hadyu Rahim

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09 Sep 2020S1E43: Understanding stress in the age of the coronavirus: Health Check Ep 4300:12:50

Health Check Ep 43: Understanding stress in the age of the coronavirus

12:49 mins

Synopsis: Fortnightly on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up common misconceptions on health with expert guests.

The World Health Organisation has just called for a massive scaling up of investment in mental health.

Close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, while 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol. One person dies every 40 seconds by suicide.

Now, with the new realities of Covid-19, more people may be experiencing increased anxiety or depression. 

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Dr Jared Ng, a consultant with the emergency services at the Institute of Mental Health about the recent cases he has seen.

He shares how the pandemic has affected some people more than others, and how kindness can go a long way in staving off stress and helping to maintain our mental health during the Covid-19 crisis. 

Listen to Pt 2 of interview with Dr Jared Ng on understanding and preventing suicides

HELPLINES
Samaritans Of Singapore: 1800-221-4444

Singapore Association For Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Institute Of Mental Health's Mobile Crisis Service: 6389-2222

Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800

Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928

Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Penelope Lee

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

01 Feb 2022S1E76: How to help parents who have special needs children: Health Check Ep 7600:17:40

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

If you’re raising a child with special needs, such as physical, cognitive, behavioural challenges, you are not alone. You deserve the time to look after yourselves and there is comfort to be found from families who have children with special needs.

In this episode, Joyce Teo, a senior health correspondent with The Straits Times, speaks with Dr Lim Hong Huay, an epidemiologist and developmental paediatrician who has two children with ADHD and mild autism, about how parents of special needs children can avoid burnout. She also talks about how friends and family can help parents of special needs children and what the public should (and should not) do when they encounter a parent having a challenging episode with a special needs child.

Dr Lim founded CaringSG in 2020, when many special education schools and early intervention programmes had to stop their services and families were stuck at home. That worsened the exhaustion, burnout and mental health issues that some caregivers had.

Highlights (click/tap above):

02:54 How friends and family can help

10:46 How parents can avoid burnout

14:06 How the public can help

16:08 Tips for parents of special needs children

CaringSG: https://caring.sg/

SG Enable: https://www.sgenable.sg/

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Fa'izah Sani

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04 Aug 2021S1E65: How to reach out to youth with mental health challenges: Health Check Ep 6500:15:18

Health Check Ep 65: How to reach out to youth with mental health challenges

15:21 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

The Covid-19 crisis has impacted the mental health of many young people around the globe, including Singapore. 

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Ms Andrea Chan, assistant director of TOUCH Mental Wellness, about the stressors faced by young people in this pandemic, what parents can say to their children about the recent River Valley High School murder case, and the signs and symptoms of mental distress to watch out for.

This is the first of a two-part series on youth mental health. Ms Andrea Chan covers the following points:

  1. Variety of youth coming forward to seek help (0:56)
  2. How to identify who needs different levels of help (3:06)
  3. How to look out for warning signs similar to recent River Valley High School murder case (4:51)
  4. How to tell differences between mental issues and teenage angst (6:55)
  5. Parental role important in managing youth who need help, especially during post-discharge recovery (10:03)

Listen to Pt 2 - What parents can do to promote good mental health in their children?: Health Check Ep 66: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/what-parents-can-do-to-promote-good-mental-health

Helplines
• National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868 (8am - 12am)

COUNSELLING
• TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
• TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555
• Care Corner Counselling Centre: 1800-353-5800

MENTAL WELL-BEING
• Fei Yue’s Online Counselling Service: eC2.sg
• Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
• Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours)
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
• Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
• Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani, Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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16 Aug 2022S1E89: What can be done to help more end-of-life patients fulfil their wish of dying at home?00:12:17

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In Singapore, deaths happen more in hospitals than in the patients' own homes, even though a Lien Foundation survey conducted back in 2014 had found that many people would prefer to die at home, surrounded by loved ones. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said recently that the government wants to help more people fulfil this wish by boosting palliative care support. Conversations about death and dying are difficult but crucial to understanding a person's end-of-life wishes, as well as the fact that dying is a part of life.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Clinical Associate Professor Alethea Yee, a senior consultant from the Division of Supportive & Palliative Care at the National Cancer Centre Singapore. She was the head of the division before she was seconded to Assisi Hospice to be the Clinical Director in 2018. Dr Yee is also the deputy head of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Supportive & Palliative Care Centre as well as the education director of the Lien Centre for Palliative Care at Duke-NUS.

She asks Dr Yee what can be done to make it possible for more end-of-life patients to die at home if they want to do so. They both talk about the role of day hospices as well as the challenges and some recent developments in the palliative care sector.

This is Part Two of their conversation on palliative care. In the first episode, they discuss what palliative care is about, how it can help a person live well before leaving, and the story of a patient who received the help she needed to fulfil her last wish.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0.52 What can be done to help more patients die at home if they wish to?

3:00 Mindset shift of Singapore's society 

5:15 Who can benefit from hospice and daycare services?

6:29 Are people more receptive to day hospice centres?

8:05 Challenges and changes in the palliative care sector

Listen to Health Check Ep 90: What to expect when caring for an end-of-life patient at home: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/health-check-episode-90

Listen to Health Check Ep 88: Preparing for a good death with palliative care: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/let-s-talk-about-palliative-care

Listen to In Your Opinion Ep 9: Let’s talk about death and end-of-life plans: https://omny.fm/shows/in-your-opinion/let-s-talk-about-death

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Penelope Lee and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast episodes out here every first and third Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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02 Aug 2022S1E88: Preparing for a good death with palliative care00:19:49

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Palliative care is in the spotlight of late, with the authorities aiming to boost support in the sector to enable more people to make the most of the time they have left. It is an approach that aims to help a person living with a life-threatening illness to cope not only with the physical symptoms, but also other concerns, such as those about the inevitability of death. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Clinical Associate Professor Alethea Yee, a senior consultant from the Division of Supportive & Palliative Care at the National Cancer Centre Singapore. She was the head of the division before she was seconded to Assisi Hospice to be the Clinical Director in 2018. Dr Yee is also the deputy head of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Supportive & Palliative Care Centre as well as the education director of the Lien Centre for Palliative Care at Duke-NUS.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:04 How is palliative care different from hospice care and end-of-life care?

4:34 Distressing end-of-life scenarios without palliative care; how to access palliative care

10:10 What comes next after referral to palliative care; addressing misconceptions

13:14 Story of a palliative care patient fulfilling her dreams

17:21 Difference between general practitioners and specialist palliative care 

Listen to Health Check Ep 90: What to expect when caring for an end-of-life patient at home: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/health-check-episode-90

Listen to Health Check Ep 89: What can be done to help more end-of-life patients fulfil their wish of dying at home?: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/what-can-be-done-to-help-more-end-of-life-patients

Listen to In Your Opinion Ep 9: Let’s talk about death and end-of-life plans: https://omny.fm/shows/in-your-opinion/let-s-talk-about-death

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Penelope Lee and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast episodes out here every first and third Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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05 Sep 2023S1E112: How do mental health apps work?00:19:05

Gain insights into the usage of mental health apps, and whether or not to embrace them.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Mental health applications have grown in popularity over the years, with more employers turning to such apps to help improve their employees’ mental well-being. 

They typically offer online guides and mental health information and can link users up with a counsellor or coach, if needed. 

But, just how useful are these apps? Who’s using the apps? And are they safe to use? To find out more, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Dr Oliver Suendermann, the clinical director of Intellect, a Singapore headquartered-company that has been growing speedily since it was founded in 2019. It has expanded into the region and now serves three million users.

Dr Suendermann, a permanent resident, sheds light on their users’ needs, what they offer - mostly coaches - and discusses what people can look out for before they use a mental health app.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:38 What’s typical in a mental health app?

5:30 The Intellect mental health platform is staffed by mostly coaches, not psychologists

13:28 Three things to look out for before using a mental health app

Helplines

MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

ONLINE RESOURCES
•  moht.com.sg/mindline-sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Paxton Pang and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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28 Jan 2020S1E28: How to practise better hygiene in wake of coronavirus: Health Check Ep 2800:12:28

Health Check Ep 28: How to practise better hygiene in wake of Wuhan coronavirus

12:27 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up common misconceptions on health.

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis talk about how we can all start practising better hygiene in the wake of the mysterious novel coronavirus - 2019-nCov - that originated in Wuhan.

Should we all wear masks now? (0:52)

Is it true that flipping surgical masks inside out is the right thing to do? (2:24)

Is there an art to washing and sanitising hands properly? How to choose proper hand sanitisers? (4:00)

What are the symptoms and the incubation period of the Wuhan coronavirus? (6:54)

Health authorities say that it generally requires prolonged exposure to the infected person for you to catch the bug. How is prolonged exposure defined? (8:52)

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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01 Jun 2021S1E61: Why women should protect their hearts against cardiovascular disease: Health Check Ep 6100:19:03

Health Check Ep 61: Why women should protect their hearts against cardiovascular disease

19:02 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. 

This episode tackles the often underestimated risk of cardiovascular disease in women, and how the symptoms of this disease can differ in women. 

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Professor Carolyn Lam, a senior consultant at the Department of Cardiology and the director of Women’s Heart Health at the National Heart Centre Singapore. 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women and is responsible for 35% of deaths in women yearly. Studies have also showed that heart disease is deadlier in women than men, and can affect women at all ages, and particularly after menopause. 

In the Lancet Women and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Commission published in mid-May, clinicians called for urgent action to reduce burden of cardiovascular disease in women.

This global report is curated by 17 leading expert ambassadors from 11 countries, and one of these Lancet Ambassadors for Women’s Heart Health in this prestigious study is Professor Lam herself, who is also the sole representative from Asia.

  1. Trend of heart attacks among women younger than 55 - yet it remains understudied, under-diagnosed, less recognised and treated (2:47)
  2. Global death rate from breast cancer is only a tenth of that from heart disease and stroke among women (4:17)
  3. How a woman can also suffer classic chest pains like men or atypical symptoms during a suspected cardiac arrest (9:26)
  4. Know your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels if you're nearing the age of menopause of about 50 (14:24)
  5. Differences between men and women when they complain about heart-related issues (16:01)

Read Lancet Commission paper: www.womencvdcommission.org

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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02 Mar 2022S1E78: 4th Covid shot: Will we need to get it one day? - Health Check00:04:56

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

A Covid-19 infection confers natural immunity but the question is how long will it last. Israel has given some people a fourth dose, which is the second booster shot.

In Singapore, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung had said that the question of whether further booster shots are necessary is still a matter of debate among scientists studying the coronavirus, and that there are no active plans to administer a second booster. But will we eventually need one?

In our previous episode, Prof Teo Yik Ying, the dean of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said Covid would inevitably catch up with all of us at some time. In this mini episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo asks him about the probability of us needing a second booster dose.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:58 Probability of Singapore needing a second booster shot

02:13 Second booster shot more likely for those with weakened immune systems

03:10 Joyce's personal experience with Covid-19

Listen to Ep 77 ft Prof Teo: Why we are all going to eventually catch Covid-19: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/health-check-ep-77

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Fa'izah Sani

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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23 Sep 2020S1E44: Understanding suicides and how to help to prevent them: Health Check Ep 4400:13:58

Health Check Ep 44: Understanding suicides and how to help to prevent them

13:58 mins

Synopsis: Fortnightly on Wednesdays, get healthier living tips as The Straits Times chats with expert guests.

This episode is aimed at understanding suicidal behaviour and suicide prevention.

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Dr Jared Ng, a consultant with the Emergency Services at the Institute of Mental Health.

They discuss the following points:

  1. How to spot warning or behavioural signs in advance, if the majority of cases tend to be impulsive (3:35)
  2. How friends can help alert family members too by keeping track of social media posts and personality changes in chat message groups (5:00)
  3. Know the differences between the risk factors that lead to youth and elderly suicide cases (7:50)
  4. When someone tells you he or she wants to die or kill himself or herself, do not dismiss it by telling them to be positive and that things are "okay" (8:27) 
  5. What are the right things to say to someone who is suicidal and what we can do to help the person? (9:07)

Listen to Pt 1 of interview with Dr Jared Ng on understanding stress in age of coronavirus

HELPLINES
Samaritans Of Singapore: 1800-221-4444

Singapore Association For Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Institute Of Mental Health's Mobile Crisis Service: 6389-2222

Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800

Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928

Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Penelope Lee 

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04 Jun 2024S1E124: Did you know that vapes can expose you to toxic metals?00:33:16

Vape users inhale not just harmful chemicals, but toxic metals into their lungs.

Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

E-cigarettes or vapes can contain less chemicals than cigarettes, but did you know that the former can expose users to toxic metals? 

Is vaping safer than smoking and just how harmful is vaping? Find out these and more in the latest Health Check episode with ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo, as she dives into the topic with two experts from Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

They are Adj Asst/Prof Clive Tan, Public Health Specialist and Senior Consultant, Department of Preventive & Population Medicine and Adj Asso/Prof Puah Ser Hon, Head and Senior Consultant from the Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine.

With vaping on the rise here, despite it being illegal, they also talk about the help available to a vape user who wants to quit the habit, and what can be done about the vaping problem here.

In Singapore, simply purchasing, using or owning an electronic vapouriser or vape, can attract fines of up to $2,000 per offence.

Yet, vaping is on the rise here. The purchase, use or possession of vapes jumped 58 per cent to about 7,900 cases in 2023, from about 5,000 cases in 2022, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:33 Are vapes safer than cigarettes?

8:17 Inhaling chemicals and toxic metals

20:35 Considering an amnesty for vape users

27:42 You can get the help that you need to quit vaping

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here every month and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

---

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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07 Jul 2021S1E63: What is sudden cardiac arrest; how to prevent it: Health Check Ep 6300:14:48

Health Check Ep 63: What is sudden cardiac arrest; how to prevent it

15:30 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Danish footballer Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest when he collapsed during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland, and had to be resuscitated. In Singapore, there have been cases of young and fit individuals who went into cardiac arrests during or after training, and then collapsed and died.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Associate Professor Ching Chi Keong, a senior consultant at the Department of Cardiology and the Director of Electrophysiology and Pacing at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) about the serious heart condition, how it is not a heart attack, and if there's anything we can do to prevent it.

  1. Is sudden cardiac arrest preventable, and when to get assessed for risk of heart disease (4:23)
  2. Chances of sudden cardiac arrest survival (06:58)
  3. What to do when a stranger or friend collapses with suspected cardiac arrest? (7:38)
  4. The differences between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest (10:00)
  5. How to prevent sudden cardiac arrest, and chances of getting sudden cardiac arrest for those with no family history of heart disease (12:32)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Fa'izah Sani and Penelope Lee

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16 Jul 2019S1E14: Student burnout - How parents can spot it: Health Check Ep 1400:11:01

Health Check Ep 14: Student burnout - How parents can spot it

11:01 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis asked Dr Lim Boon Leng, a psychiatrist at Gleneagles Medical Centre, to share more on student burnout.

Burnout is a condition that was classified - by the World Health Organisation in late May 2019 - as an occupational phenomenon and not a medical condition. However, burnout is not a condition that is specific to the workplace.

Students can get burnout too.

Dr Lim answers the following questions:
What are the early signs and symptoms of student burnout to watch out for?
How serious is student burnout?
What happens if your child is experiencing burnout?
If your child is burnt out, should you keep him from school?
What causes student burnout and what can parents do?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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19 Nov 2019S1E23: Why you shouldn't demand antibiotics for your flu: Health Check Ep 2300:12:43

Health Check Ep 23: Why you shouldn't demand antibiotics for your flu

12:43 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up some common misconceptions on health. In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang - the head of the infectious diseases programme and the co-director of the Leadership Institute for Global Health Transformation at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. He tells us more about antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance and what to know and do about it.

He answers the following questions: 

1. The difference between antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic resistance

2. Is there the same urgent "climate change" mentality when it comes to the problem of recognising antibiotic resistance?

3. Costly effects of drug-resistant bacteria in human medicine

4. Antibiotics being used as growth promoters in animal farming, and does it affect kampung chicken?

5. If you have a bacterial infection as opposed to a viral infection, what should you do?

Prof Hsu has also worked on a graphic novel with award-winning Singaporean cartoonist Sonny Liew and Epigram Books. Called The Antibiotic Tales, it aims to explain antimicrobial resistance - the ability of microbes to evolve and resist the drugs used to kill them - to the lay reader.

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

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21 Jun 2023S1E108: Youths can take charge of their social media use; how parents can help00:29:07

How to create safer, healthier online environments to protect children.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In May, the United States surgeon general Dr Vivek Murthy, who is known as the nation’s doctor, issued an advisory on social media and youth mental health to warn young people of the possible effects of excessive social media use.

Dr Murthy said that social media started only about a decade ago and there is not enough research at the moment to show that it is safe for adolescents and children. 

He thus issued a call for not just families and young people, but policymakers, technology companies, and researchers to gain a better understanding of the full impact of social media use, to maximise the benefits and minimise the harms of social media platforms, and create safer, healthier online environments to protect children. 

In Singapore, it is not uncommon to see upper primary school children with their own mobile phones. Some teachers use WhatsApp to communicate with their secondary school students. 

In this episode, ST's senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Ms Joanne Wong, the head of Touch Cyber Wellness, a service of Touch Community Services, about the issues that she sees in Singapore, and what parents and young people can do to protect themselves.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:29 Youth social media consumption issues in Singapore

4:41 Signs of excessive social media use

7:51 How parents can help children understand the importance of having a life outside of social media

13:15 Cyber wellness issues in Singapore

21:25 What parents can do to protect youths from social media harms

Helplines
MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366ONLINE RESOURCES
•  mindline.sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

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17 Nov 2021S1E72: Don't let diabetes sneak up on you: Health Check Ep 7200:17:10

Health Check Ep 72: Don't let diabetes sneak up on you

17:10 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this pandemic, many people may be eating more and exercising less. It's not a good combination. The prevalence of obesity in Singapore across all ages has risen from 8.6 per cent in 2017 to 10.5 per cent last year. Not only is obesity a leading risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, it is also one of the factors that can cause one to have more serious complications when infected with Covid-19.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Dr Asim Shabbir, a senior consultant and the Head of General Surgery at Alexandra Hospital, who has a special interest in bariatric and metabolic surgery.

0:00 Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:03 Singapore's diabetes situation outlook in 2021, challenge of obesity and more Asians getting diabetes at a younger age

3:40 Early diagnosis as more people put on weight during this pandemic: Key interventions include being able to manage glucose levels, reducing weight to prolong normal abilities of pancreas, avoiding loss of limbs later in life

6:40 Dr Asim's dietary suggestions and advice on consuming supplements

7:39 Whether it's a good idea for people with diabetes to pop a supplement to boost their immunity or if they should get a flu jab?

10:30 Why exercising is more profound for our bodies than just seeing it as a way to burn calories; how medical interventions such as bariatric surgery can add as much as 10 years to a patient's life expectancy

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

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---

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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01 Mar 2020S1E31: Breaking common misconceptions about exercise: Health Check Ep 3100:15:17

Health Check Ep 31: Breaking common misconceptions about exercise

17:25 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up common misconceptions on health with expert guests.

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Dinesh Sirisena, who is a consultant at the sports medicine department of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

This episode is aimed at popular misconceptions about exercise. 

Dr Dinesh answers the following questions:

1. Doing crunches: Does that really give you a "flat tummy"? (0:35)

2. Is it true that a person needs to work out every day, to lose weight? (2:33)

3. Is it good to avoid eating before you exercise, to help you lose weight faster? (4:36)

4. Body mass index: Is there a trend to move away from only BMIs as a sole gauge, and consider too, body composition and body fat percentages? The bioimpedance machine at Admiralty Medical Centre can calculate your body fat percentage, and that is more accurate than BMI. (7:59)

5. If you have injured a part of your body, for example, your knee or ankle, should you lay off exercise completely? (12:33)

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

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Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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01 Sep 2020S1E42: Can a person get Covid-19 twice? - Health Check Ep 4200:09:10

Health Check Ep 42: Can a person get Covid-19 twice?

9:10 mins

Synopsis: Fortnightly on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up common misconceptions on health with expert guests.

A man in Hong Kong was found to be reinfected with Covid-19 last month, less than five months after he was infected with the disease. Researchers at the University of Hong Kong said genome sequencing showed that the virus strain the man had last month was different from the one he was infected with in March.

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, the programme leader for infectious diseases at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

They discuss the following points: 

1. More serious coronaviruses like Sars or Mers, have led to longer immunity in patients but it remains to be seen if more cases of Covid re-infection emerge. Why immunity from Covid-19 might not be lifelong (1:38)

2. The patient in Hong Kong didn't seem to mount an antibody response after his first infection in March (3:10)

3. Making sense of the new strains of Sars-Cov-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 (3:52)

4. Is the new prevalent global mutant strain D614G more lethal or transmissible? (5:33)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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06 Sep 2022S1E90: What to expect when caring for an end-of-life patient at home00:26:11

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

The Singapore Government is keen to boost support for palliative care to help more end-of-life patients spend their remaining time at home, if they prefer to do so. For every patient who chooses to die in the comfort of his or her own home, there has to be a caregiver willing to provide the care.

In the previous two episodes, we covered what palliative care is about, how it can help a dying person live well and what it takes to see more end-of-life patients live out their last days at home.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo discusses the practical and emotional realities of what to expect when caring for a dying person at home, with Mr Tay Jia Sen, a medical social worker at HCA Hospice, the largest home hospice care provider in Singapore. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:04 When does hospice care start? Jia Sen describes a typical hospice "home visit" assessment

6:09 Helping patients who are unable to accept death

9:25 How hospice care supports caregivers; mental preparation

14:45 End-of-life symptoms to look out for when you're caring for someone at home

19:28 What happens after the patient dies?

22:27 Advice for caregivers

Listen to Health Check Ep 89: What can be done to help more end-of-life patients fulfil their wish of dying at home?: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/what-can-be-done-to-help-more-end-of-life-patients

Listen to Health Check Ep 88: Preparing for a good death with palliative care: https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/let-s-talk-about-palliative-care

Listen to In Your Opinion Ep 9: Let’s talk about death and end-of-life plans: https://omny.fm/shows/in-your-opinion/let-s-talk-about-death

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong 
Kai & Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

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---

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Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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15 Sep 2021S1E68: Why bother about asymptomatic Covid-19 cases, says vaccine expert: Health Check Ep 68 (Pt 1)00:19:00

Health Check Ep 68 (Pt 1): Why bother about asymptomatic Covid-19 cases, says vaccine expert

19:05 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Prof Ooi Eng Eong from the Duke-NUS Medical School’s Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases about the current Covid-19 situation and how vaccination will lead us out of this pandemic.

He talks about the futility of reporting unlinked or even asymptomatic cases, how Covid herd immunity is a myth, and what we can learn from past dengue outbreaks, and more.

Listen to Pt 2: Vaccine expert on combating new Covid variants - https://omny.fm/shows/health-check-1/vaccine-expert-on-combating-new-covid-variants-hea

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim & Penelope Lee

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---

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Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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14 Jan 2020S1E27: Can you exercise when you are sick?: Health Check Ep 2700:17:25

Health Check Ep 27: Can you exercise when you are sick?

17:25 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up common misconceptions on health with expert guests.

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Dinesh Sirisena, who is a consultant at the sports medicine department of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

This episode is aimed at those wondering if they should exercise when they are sick.

Dr Dinesh answers the following questions:

1. If you have just a sore throat, and your airways are clear, can light exercise, or even a simple walk in the neighbourhood, help? (3:25)

2. How those with chronic fatigue syndrome can benefit from some form of exercise? (4:35)

3. Can you work out if you have taken medication? For example, codeine-based medications or antibiotics? (6:45)

4. Should you participate in an event such as a marathon if you are unwell just before the event starts? (12:05)

5. What is a good checklist to go through before you exercise? (15:05)
 
Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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05 Jul 2022S1E86: What do you say to a child facing trauma?00:20:49

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

The Institute of Mental Health or IMH is adopting trauma-informed care throughout the organisation. It's an approach that assumes that a person is more likely than not to have experienced a traumatic event. And it seeks to not re-traumatise patients or blame them for their efforts to manage their symptoms. In trauma-informed care, you would ask "What happened to you?” instead of "What's wrong with you?"

In the second part of our series on trauma-informed care, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Ms Tracy Wee. Principal Medical Social Worker at the Institute of Mental Health. She finds out how parents can make use of the approach to help their children, who may have been bullied or experienced a traumatic event.

In the earlier episode on trauma-informed care, Joyce hosted Dr Ann-Marie Aboud Lo Castro, principal clinical psychologist at the department of developmental psychiatry and the project lead of the trauma-informed care approach at IMH. They discussed what trauma-informed care is about, the common traumatic events among children seeking help today and how the approach can benefit others.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:34 Importance of being trauma-informed 

3:16 How can parents cope with their children's mental problems?

7:30 What can parents do to support their children?

10:01 What should parents avoid doing?

16:14 Tips for parents to deal with children's trauma

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Teo Tong Kai, and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast episodes out here every first and third Wednesday of the month:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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07 May 2019S1E10: Can schools and parents help boost the cognition and well-being of sleep-deprived Singaporean teenagers? : Health Check Ep 1000:09:53

Health Check Ep 10: Can schools and parents help boost the cognition and well-being of sleep-deprived Singaporean teenagers? 

9:30 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

To discuss why teenagers and students need to sleep more and how insufficient sleep affects them, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Prof Michael Chee, the director of the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience at the Duke-NUS Medical School who is a prominent sleep expert. 

He answers the following questions:

  1. What can be done to help teenagers - inundated with homework, curricular activities, enrichment classes and tuition after school - sleep more?
  2. Most Singaporean adolescents sleep an average of 6.5 hours a night on the weekdays. What is a good amount of nocturnal sleep for teenagers? Is seven to eight hours a good achievable target for upper secondary school teenagers?
  3. Could shorter sleep increase the risk of diabetes among young Singaporeans?
  4. How can students manage better sleep strategy during intense examination periods? 

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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04 Mar 2019S1E6: Health Check Ep 6: Can soursop or ketogenic diets be used to treat and control cancer?00:11:21

Health Check Ep 6: Can soursop or ketogenic diets be used to treat and control cancer?

11:20 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

Dr Wong Seng Weng - medical director and consultant medical oncologist at The Cancer Centre - answers the following questions about alternative therapies to treat cancer.

Can soursop be used to treat cancer? Also, is there potential harm from taking large quantities of soursop or soursop extracts that are made from the fruit, leaves, roots or bark?

Dr Wong explains how some of the substances found in soursop can cross over from the bloodstream into the brain and cause nerve damage.

How about using a ketogenic or keto diet to control cancer?

A keto diet is essentially a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet. This is certainly not the normal diet here, as a typical diet in the Asian community consists of nearly 60 per cent carbohydrates.

Dr Wong advises us if this keto diet is a viable alternative therapy to treat cancer.

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

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Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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03 May 2022S1E82: Is sleep customisable? - Health Check00:15:19

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

We continue the conversation on sleep in this episode. Sleep is one of the three pillars of a healthy lifestyle and there has been much interest in how we can sleep better in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up our daily routines, with so many people still working from home.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Professor Michael Chee, the director of the Centre for Sleep and Cognition at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. Prof Chee has spent close to two decades studying sleep and its impact on cognition and behaviour.  

They discuss how the pandemic has affected sleep, the lessons learned from the last two years and the relevance of sleep targets set by the US-based National Sleep Foundation (NSF).

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:05 What has Covid-19 taught us about sleep?

03:39 Sleep targets set by US NSF - how relevant is it to Singapore?

06:27 Difference between self-reported sleep and objectively measured sleep

09:24 Sleep targets and recommendations differ based on individuals

13:08 Effects of sleep habits on health

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani and Hadyu Rahim

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim and Fa'izah Sani

Follow our previous episodes on sleep issues here: https://str.sg/w8TE

Follow Health Check Podcast episodes out here every first and third Wednesday of the month:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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02 Jan 2024S1E120: Is ADHD affecting you or your family?00:32:00

An ADHD diagnosis can help you make sense of your life.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

The awareness of ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, a common neurodevelopmental condition is growing around the world and more people have been diagnosed with it. Yet, many do not know that they have it while others may not have a good understanding of the condition, in order to thrive with it. 

ADHD is characterised by inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behaviour. It can greatly affect one’s life, but it can also be turned into a superpower if it is managed correctly. 

In this Health Check podcast episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Moonlake Lee, the founder of Unlocking ADHD, the first site in Singapore that aims to help individuals with ADHD and their families live life to the fullest, to find out more.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:31 Moonlake’s journey as an ADHDer and how her diagnosis has helped her

6:12 On the growing awareness of ADHD in Singapore

21:25 How to tell if you have ADHD?

28:43 Deciding whether to put your child on ADHD medication

Helplines

MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

ONLINE RESOURCES
•  moht.com.sg/mindline-sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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04 Apr 2023S1E103: New drug spells hope for patients struggling with obesity00:19:39

Might this miracle drug be the answer to curing obesity?

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Obesity is a huge and complex problem. It is linked to Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, back pain and so many other health issues. However, there aren’t many anti-obesity medications out there. 

Wegovy is not just a new prescription drug for those with obesity or high-risk body mass index, but one that is more effective and better tolerated than the current crop of treatments.

Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which was first developed to help Type 2 diabetes patients with blood sugar control, but then found to be effective in helping them lose weight as well.

Another brand of semaglutide called Ozempic, which is a lower-dose version meant for those with Type 2 diabetes had hit the market earlier. Both Ozempic and Wegovy have gone viral on social media for their off-label use as a weight loss drug. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Dr Khoo Chin Meng, the head and senior consultant at the National University Hospital’s Division of Endocrinology to find out more about the obesity problem and how semaglutide can help those with the chronic disease. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:22 Is the obesity problem getting worse in Singapore?

3:01 Is Ozempic the answer to the obesity problem in Singapore?

5:36 Side effects of Ozempic

7:15 Cost and accessibility of Ozempic

9:56 Do you need to take Ozempic regularly for it to be effective?

14:14 Can Wegovy replace Bariatric surgery?

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

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SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

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07 Jun 2023S1E107: What to eat or not eat if you have IBS00:24:55

Find out too, why the link between the gut and brain must not be ignored.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition that causes recurrent episodes of diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, or abdominal pain. Stress can trigger or worsen it, which is why the link between the gut and brain or what is known as the gut-brain axis must not be ignored in the treatment of complex cases, said Dr Andrew Ong, a consultant gastroenterologist at the Singapore General Hospital, who runs a weekly IBS clinic at the hospital for hard-to-treat IBS cases. 

Still, when it comes to IBS, the first question that he gets from patients often concerns food. In part two of a two-parter on IBS, Dr Ong chats with ST's senior health correspondent Joyce Teo about diet and IBS. 

You will also hear about FODMAP, which stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. They are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that are not properly absorbed in the gut. Some people with gastrointestinal issues have used a low FODMAP diet to identify the types of food that trigger their symptoms.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:59 Type of foods that can cause problems for those with IBS

13:31 Are mushrooms a good choice for those with IBS?

18:35 The difference between food intolerance and food allergy

20:44 Tips on keeping the gut healthy

Listen to Pt 1: Can stress trigger IBS? - https://str.sg/i3YP

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Read more: https://str.sg/iJqa

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (new): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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09 Apr 2019S1E8: Can munching on half a plate of mushrooms a week slow mental decline? Health Check Ep 800:09:47

Health Check Ep 8: Can munching on half a plate of mushrooms a week slow mental decline?

9:46 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host two experts from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore to discuss the results of the six-year study they had conducted on more than 600 Singaporeans aged 60 and above, to see the relation between consuming mushrooms and mental decline.

The study's principal investigator, Assistant Professor Feng Lei, who is from NUS' Department of Psychological Medicine, and Dr Irwin Cheah - a senior research fellow at the NUS Department of Biochemistry - are asked the following questions:

1. Can consuming more than two portions (300g or half a plate) of mushrooms each week, reduce the risk of having mild cognitive impairment?

2. It can help with Alzheimer's, but how about Parkinson's disease? 

3. The study focused on six types of mushrooms commonly eaten in Singapore. How about others like portobello? 

Mushrooms contain high levels of a compound known as ergothioneine. The compound acts as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent, and can protect brain cells from damage.

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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31 Dec 2019S1E26: Youth mental health: What to expect when seeking help?: Health Check Ep 2600:15:00

Health Check Ep 26: Youth mental health: What to expect when seeking help?

14:59 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up common misconceptions on health with medical experts.

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Lee Yi Ping, team leader and senior youth support worker for the Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT) - which has been helping and supporting young people with mental health concerns since 2009.

This episode is aimed at youth mental health trends in Singapore today and what it's like making the first move to seek help at CHAT - which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2019. CHAT is a national outreach and mental health check programme under the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), that is aimed at youth aged 16-30, including young working adults, and has an actual space at *Scape, 2 Orchard Link.

Ms Lee answers the following questions:

1. What is it like going to CHAT for the first time?

2. What do you do if you want to seek help at CHAT?

3. How a young man finally got help for his depression?

4. What are the qualifications of the youth support workers at CHAT?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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29 Sep 2021S1E69: Can plant stanols lower my cholesterol? - Health Check Ep 6900:15:35

Health Check Ep 69: Can plant stanols lower my cholesterol?

15:35 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this episode, we look at whether plant stanols and a more natural diet can help reduce cholesterol. Plant stanol ester is a natural compound which is used as a cholesterol-lowering ingredient in functional foods and food supplements.

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Helena Gylling, Professor Emerita of Clinical Nutrition and senior lecturer in Internal Medicine at the University of Helsinki in Finland. This episode is brought to you by VITAPLUS Benecol: www.benecol.com.sg

They cover the following points:

  1. What are plant stanols, that are present in plant-based foods? Do they get absorbed by the body? (1:15)
  2. How studies in plant stanols as dietary means to lower LDL cholesterol began in 1989 in Helsinki, and their safety profile (2:22)
  3. Why 2-3g of plant stanols consumed daily can lower LDL cholesterol by 9-12% (3:57)
  4. How a dietary approach with plant stanols can lower cholesterol by an additional 35%, before factoring in other lifestyle controlling measures (7:11)
  5. How to avoid being prescribed statin drugs early on in your life (10:35)
  6. Do food products fortified with plant stanols work in the same way as plant stanol supplements? (12:34)
  7. Why plant stanol products should be taken with meals for effectiveness (13:11)

More about VITAPLUS Benecol: www.benecol.com.sg

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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20 Apr 2022S1E81: Not sleeping well? The doctor can help: Health Check00:24:38

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

The pandemic may have changed your sleep habits, though sleeping more does not mean that you are sleeping well. So, if you’re one of those about to return to the office and finding it hard to get a good night’s sleep, it’s time to do something about it. Or if you have been struggling to fall asleep even before the pandemic, it is never too late to seek help. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Dr Leow Leong Chai, director of the Sleep Disorders Unit, and a senior consultant at the Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine at the Singapore General Hospital, about the common sleep problems that the people in Singapore face, as well as the treatments available. He also sheds light on the spooky episodes that some people have experienced in their sleep, when they felt trapped in their bodies.

In the next episode out on May 4, Joyce Teo invites a prominent sleep researcher here to talk about customising sleep. He is Professor Michael Chee, director of the Centre for Sleep and Cognition as well as the Clinical Imaging Research Centre MR Operations at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

Highlights (click/tap above):

00:56 Common sleep myths

05:41 What is sleep paralysis and what to do if you're in one?

09:33 New sleep treatments available

13:40 Different severity and types of sleep problems

20:17 Self-treatment and when to seek help

Helplines
MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366ONLINE RESOURCES
•  mindline.sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Fa'izah Sani and Eden Soh 

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow our previous episodes on sleep issues here: https://str.sg/w8TE

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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21 Apr 2021S1E58: Picking an IP insurer with a good panel of doctors: Health Check Ep 5800:20:36

Health Check Ep 58: Picking an IP insurer with a good panel of doctors

20:35 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times that aims to help you make sense of health matters that affect you.  

Many private sector doctors are upset with Integrated Shield plan insurers for maintaining panels of doctors that they call “highly exclusive”. These panels are one of the measures that IP insurers have undertaken in order to reduce their costs, but doctors say that the IP sector created their own problem and should not penalise them for it.

Doctors have failed to get on the panel, even though they adhere to the fee benchmarks published by the Ministry of Health. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Dr Wong Seng Weng, the medical director and consultant medical oncologist at The Cancer Centre, who sits on several IP panels.

He shares some tips on how one can go about picking the IP insurer with a good and reasonable panel of doctors. They discuss the following points:

  1. Dr Wong's own experience of being selected for such panels (1:30)
  2. Why seeing a "non-panel" doctor could hit your pocket more now (7:00)
  3. What are correct clinical quality measures? (9:08)
  4. How can policy holders tell if the panel provided by an IP insurer is good (11:20)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee & Aleemah Basirah

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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14 Mar 2023S1E102: Employing someone who’s recovering from a mental illness00:26:28

Our expert guests explain how mental health charity Mindset helps recovering patients.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Gaining employment can boost the self-esteem of someone who is recovering from a mental illness and facilitate their recovery. But the discrimination against people with mental illnesses may make it difficult for them to find work. The challenges that come with their illnesses may also make it hard for them to conform to traditional work norms such as fixed working hours. But there is help from mental health charities in the community.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo finds out more about how Mindset, a mental health charity of the Jardine Matheson Group in Singapore, is helping mental health persons in recovery, find jobs as a way to reintegrate back into society. She speaks with the CEO of Mindset, Jeffery Tan and the head of Mindset, Ms Colyn Chua. 

She asks them about the challenges these persons face and what employers can do to not just help them, but to raise awareness of mental health in general. She also asks Jeffery, who's also group general counsel and the chief sustainability officer of Jardine Cycle & Carriage, under the Jardine Matheson Group, if he has spoken openly about his mental health in the workplace.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:51 What jobs are available through Mindset?

8:34 Daily challenges faced by those in mental health recovery

10:59 Employer concerns regarding hiring those in mental health recovery

15:46 Understanding different types of mental health conditions

19:27 Tackling the stigma surrounding mental health disorders

Helplines
MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366ONLINE RESOURCES
•  mindline.sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

HELPLINES

Samaritans of Singapore Hotline: 1-767; CareText: (WhatsApp) 9151-1767 (24-hour)

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800 2837 019

Institute Of Mental Health: 6389 2222 (24-hour)

Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386 1928

Tinkle Friend: 1800 2744 788 and www.tinklefriend.sg

Community Health Assessment Team: 6493 6500 and www.chat.mentalhealth.sg

Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353 1180

Touchline (Counselling): 1800 3772 252

Touch Care line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804 6555

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

---

Special edition series:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Dec 2023S1E119: Treatment is available but when do you pull the plug on a grievously ill person?00:23:29

It is always good to start having end-of life conversations early.

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

There are some conditions that are difficult to treat, others possibly pointless to treat. Doctors know the limits of medical care and they can advise against further treatment, if the care is deemed futile. 

In this episode, we will hear about the difficult decisions that some doctors and some families have to contend with, in their work and life.

Dr Shirlynn Ho is a senior consultant and deputy head of the division of Supportive & Palliative Care at the National Cancer Centre Singapore. She’s also the assistant secretary of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, which works with the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care in Singapore.

Dr Tan Yia Swam is a breast surgeon, with her own practice at Mount Alvernia Hospital. She was the past president of the Singapore Medical Association and a former Nominated MP.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:23 What is Advanced Medical Directive?

4:33 A difficult decision made by doctors

6:35 Advice on Advance Care Planning

15:16 How people in the region view death

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Amirul Karim and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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29 Jan 2021S1E53: Covid-19 panel expert addresses vaccine side effects, concerns: Health Check Ep 5300:11:26

Health Check Ep 53: Covid-19 panel expert addresses vaccine side effects, concerns

11:25 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times and this episode is on the safety and common concerns in Singapore over the side effects of Covid-19 vaccines.

Global surveys have shown that a key concern for those hesitant about taking the Covid-19 vaccine, lies with the side effects that they may experience. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, on the side effects that one can get from the vaccine and why you should not worry about them.

She is the head of the Traveller’s Health and Vaccination Clinic at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the director of the high-level isolation unit at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and a member of the expert committee on Covid-19 vaccination, which makes recommendations to the government on Singapore’s vaccination strategy.

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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06 Dec 2022S1E96: Acting 'FAST' for stroke and understanding modern treatments00:22:56

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this episode, find out how to spot stroke symptoms and what happens after a stroke patient gets to the hospital. 

Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is restricted. It can be due to the blockage of blood vessels (ischaemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (haemorrhagic stroke). Data from the latest Singapore Stroke Registry Annual Report, which is for 2020, showed that stroke cases have risen to 8,846 in 2020, up from 5,890 in 2010. 

Stroke is a life-threatening condition and the acronym FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time) is used to remember the signs of a stroke. Still, this can be missed.

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Professor Deidre Anne De Silva, the head and senior consultant at the Department of Neurology in the National Neuroscience Institute (Singapore General Hospital campus).

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:12 Why every minute counts; emergency treatment means calling 995 for an ambulance, not delaying

6:26 What happens when you get treated faster within 4.5 hours, or after delaying it for 24 hours

10:51 Early stroke symptoms to look out for

19:53 Prof De Silva's advice for stroke awareness and prevention; 4 out 5 strokes are actually preventable

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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18 Dec 2019S1E25: How to spot mental health issues if you are aged 16-30: Health Check Ep 2500:15:04

Health Check Ep 25: How to spot mental health issues if you are aged 16-30

15:02 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and clears up some common misconceptions on health.

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Lee Yi Ping, team leader and senior youth support worker for the Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT) - which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2019.

This episode is aimed at youth mental health trends in Singapore today and what it's like making the first move to seek help at CHAT.

CHAT is a national outreach and mental health check programme under the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), that is aimed at youth aged 16-30, including young working adults, and has an actual space at *Scape, 2 Orchard Link.

 Ms Lee answers the following questions: 

1. Why parents, educators or even work supervisors should listen to this podcast as well, to identify who might need support (3:04)

2. What are the main stress triggers for young people? (5:06)

3. What is the difference between seeing a free and confidential help service like CHAT, and seeing a medical professional like a psychiatrist or psychologist? (8:00) 

4. Why mood disorders and psychosis-related issues form a large part of the conditions young people report to CHAT (11:57) 

5. When you should notice warning signs and seek help (13:08)

HELPLINES

Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours)

Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Tinkle Friend (for primary school-aged children): 1800-274-4788

Care Corner Counselling Hotline (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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31 May 2022S1E84: IMH CEO wants to wage war on stress: Health Check00:18:53

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Traditionally, the Institute of Mental Health or IMH has focused mainly on taking care of those who are severely ill with mental disorders. Now, it also wants to look at improving the mental health of Singaporeans by helping them manage their stress.

We all need to swim and keep afloat in the sea of stress. Is there a way to do it better? Can we avoid sinking into it and does stress lead to mental illness? What’s the difference between good and bad stress? 

Does having the genes for a mental illness mean that we cannot avoid becoming mentally ill? What can be done on the population level?

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo take a deep dive into stress with the chief executive officer of Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Prof Daniel Fung.

Highlights (click/tap above):

03:30 What is allostatic overload, that refers to the cumulative burden of chronic stress and life events?

06:50 Bad stress indicators and how adverse childhood experiences are predictors

10:19 Epigenetics: Studying how your behaviour and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work

13:55 How IMH wants to help people help themselves, and manage stresses of life

16:40 Prof Fung on the 3Rs to help combat stress before it overwhelms

Helplines
MENTAL WELL-BEING
•  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
•  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
•  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
•  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
•  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
•  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
•  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)COUNSELLING
•  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
•  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
•  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
•  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366ONLINE RESOURCES
•  mindline.sg
•  eC2.sg
•  tinklefriend.sg
•  chat.mentalhealth.sg
•  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
•  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh 

Edited by: Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast episodes out here every first and third Wednesday of the month:

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Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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11 Mar 2021S1E56: How a mother's well-being can have a large impact on her baby: Health Check Ep 5600:27:39

Health Check Ep 56: How a mother's well-being can have a large impact on her baby

27:39 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times that aims to help you make sense of health matters that affect you.  

In early March 2021, the Ministry of Health announced during the debate on its budget, that it has set up a task force to oversee the development and implementation of a five-year action plan to provide comprehensive support to women and their children, as part of its larger efforts to improve the population's health.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Professor Chong Yap Seng, the dean of the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the executive director of the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

They discuss what more can be done to improve maternal and child health.

Prof Chong is also an obstetrician and the lead principal investigator of the Growing Up In Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes or Gusto study, which started in 2009 to study how conditions in pregnancy and early childhood influence the health and development of women and their children here.

Its findings show that a mother's health can directly impact her child's development.

  1. Critical interventions to ensure better well-being of Singaporean mothers (2:27)
  2. Using latest scientific tests for more precise studies of Singaporean babies, from as early as the first week of life in the "Gusto" study (7:36)
  3. If mothers have depression symptoms during pregnancy, how it can be scientifically shown that their children would have a higher chance of developing mood anxiety disorders (11:40)
  4. What can such parents do to nurture corrective methods after their children are born (14:46)
  5. An obstetrician's tips for women planning pregnancy (18:50)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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05 Oct 2022S1E92: How suicide can impact families and friends00:31:01

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Suicide is a complex phenomenon, one that is not yet fully understood. It's why the Institute of Mental Health has embarked on the first psychological autopsy in Singapore, to study to explore and analyse the risk factors for suicide. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Ms Jacqueline Pak. She is 42 and the head of corporate affairs in a boutique consultancy firm. She lost her father to suicide when she was 17. She shares the impact it has had on her life.

If you're having thoughts of suicide or know someone feeling suicidal, please reach out for help, and we have included helplines below.

To find out more about the study, you can e-mail: imhresearch@imh.com.sg

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:10 Ms Pak recalls when her dad died of suicide when she was 17

6:55 Anger, denial and guilt in her family, following his suicide; harsh reactions from friends

13:40 Challenge in getting help back then: Being told how to feel and what to do

16:50 How one doctor changed her life after she left to work in Australia at 26

23:30 Why Ms Pak is participating in the new IMH survey and what it took for her to do this interview; breaking the vicious circle of taboo

28:45 Ms Pak's tips for suicide survivors and those who have lost loved ones through suicide

HELPLINES

National Care: 1800-202-6868

Samaritans of Singapore Hotline: 1-767; CareText: (WhatsApp) 9151-1767 (24-hour)

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800 2837 019

Institute Of Mental Health: 6389 2222 (24-hour)

Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353 1180

Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928

Tinkle Friend: 1800 2744 788 and www.tinklefriend.sg

Community Health Assessment Team: 6493 6500 and www.chat.mentalhealth.sg

TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800 3772 252

TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804 6555

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Fa'izah Sani and Eden Soh

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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09 Oct 2023S1E1: Hear our podcasts on The Straits Times' app, besides Apple Podcasts & Spotify00:02:25

Each follow on the audio apps below and a rating really helps us! Happy listening!

Synopsis: A brand new feature is within The Straits Times app, which you can download from the Apple app store or the Google Play store. For those of you who already have it, the latest version update now has a dedicated Podcast Section, where you can listen to our latest incoming show episodes and check out back episodes too.

You can also choose to follow our podcast RSS feeds, or the shows on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

If you have a smart home speaker like the Google Home or Nest device, or your Android phone, just say: “Hey Google, play me (name of any of the shows below) or The Straits Times Podcasts.”

Get The Straits Times app from

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

Produced & edited by: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg) & Teo Tong Kai

Follow ST Podcasts:

Channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukK

Spotify: https://str.sg/wukH

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Discover more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

---

ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Special edition series:

True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

---

Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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24 Feb 2021S1E55: Getting working adults to share their mental health challenges: Health Check Ep 5500:20:36

Health Check Ep 55: Getting working adults to share their mental health challenges

20:34 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times that aims to help you make sense of health matters that affect you.  

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Daniel Chang, 38, a freelance doctor who does medical aesthetic work. He started a movement last year with counsellors, fellow doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists to let working adults - who are quietly grappling with anxiety and depression quietly - feel they are not alone.

Called Lives of SG, it offers a platform for them to share stories of their mental health struggles, and his team has done free webinars on mental health in the workplace for a few companies.

They discuss the following points:

  1. Helping professionals and ways to reach the "often-neglected" PMET segment of society with mental health struggles (1:00)
  2. Mental health survey of PMETs: Top concerns & trends (3:10)
  3. How a stressed professional or PMET can get free "mental health first aid" help from Lives of SG and be paired with the right psychologists (5:57)
  4. Dr Daniel Chang's own life story & motivation to start this pro-bono movement (10:24)
  5. Being a "high-functioning depressive", how therapy helped and his own personal tips for coping with depression (12:30)

Contact Lives of SG: https://www.livesofsg.org/

HELPLINES
Samaritans Of Singapore: 1800-221-4444

Singapore Association For Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Institute Of Mental Health's Mobile Crisis Service: 6389-2222

Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800

Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928

Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Penelope Lee and Ernest Luis 

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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22 Apr 2020S1E35: Why Singapore's Covid-19 circuit breaker measures cannot be lifted so early: Health Check Ep 3500:14:07

Health Check Ep 35: Why Singapore's Covid-19 circuit breaker measures cannot be lifted so early

14:06 mins

Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times. For the latest state of Singapore's health in its Covid-19 fight, ST senior correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang.

He is the infectious diseases programme leader at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

Singapore has extended its circuit breaker period to June 1, and has seen its coronavirus cases shoot past the 10,000-mark as of April 22, after recording about 500 in March.

He talks us through the following points:

1. What is the extent of the spread in the foreign worker dormitories? How does that ratio compare with the spread in the local community? (1:42)

2. Singapore could continue to see a high number of cases emerging from the dormitories for the next few weeks, but is there a silver lining? (2:45)

3. Why it is important to control the outbreak in the migrant worker communities before there are considerations to lift circuit breaker restrictions (5:13)

4. What is the difference between asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases? (8:31)

5. When is the viral load highest? (9:13)

6. What's the difference between a PCR test and a serology test? Why we cannot just use any serology test available out there (11.32)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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