The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington School of Medicine, today launched the NUS-IHME Global Burden of Disease Research Centre, a new regional hub to serve as a key analytical engine for the Southeast Asia and the surrounding region by delivering scientific evidence that its leaders can translate into policy.
Southeast Asian countries are home to nearly one in 10 people worldwide and faces a perfect storm of health challenges driven by a rapidly ageing population, changing disease patterns, and the growing health impacts of climate change. Yet many within the region lack critical data and insight that would help local leaders allocate resources more efficiently, target inequities, and operate proactively rather than reactively, particularly during an outbreak or a pandemic. Research at the Centre will help bridge the gap between longevity and healthy ageing in the greying demographic. Additionally, experts will examine the intensifying impact from extreme heat and other environmental shifts, while also addressing the persistent and emerging threats such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), metabolic risks, women’s health, and dietary and lifestyle factors.
Associate Professor Marie Ng, Director of the Centre, who has joint appointments at NUS Medicine and IHME, said, “This Centre is about empowering decision-makers with the data and insights they need to improve population health, both regionally and globally. By embedding global methodologies within local contexts, the Centre seeks to not only generate population health data but also translate insights into meaningful policies.”
Based at NUS Medicine, the partnership leverages the strengths of both NUS Medicine and IHME by bringing together IHME’s globally recognised expertise in health metrics with NUS Medicine’s deep regional networks, research capabilities and academic leadership in the healthcare sector.
“The launch of the Centre underscores Singapore’s role as a regional hub for health intelligence and policy-relevant research. Singapore’s strategic location in Southeast Asia, together with its leadership in the academic and healthcare sector, make it a natural base for this work. The insights generated through the Centre will inform health strategies across the region and contribute to global discussions on population health and sustainable health systems,” said Professor Chong Yap Seng, Dean of NUS Medicine.
A globally renowned leader in population health metrics, IHME has a track record in capacity building and supporting national health policy development. Its flagship project—the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study—has informed health strategies in over 200 countries and territories, including Singapore.
“Better health starts with better evidence, and unifying our expertise will allow us to pinpoint the leading causes of death and disability and provide solutions that are grounded in regional and local context,” said Dr Christopher J.L. Murray, IHME Director.