Economic Burden and Healthcare Utilisation in Dementia in Singapore: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Main Applicant – A/Prof Ng Su Lyn Adeline, Senior Consultant, Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute (NNI)

Dementia and cognitive impairment are growing public health concerns in Singapore as the population ages, placing increasing pressure on caregivers, healthcare services, and national resources. The financial burden of dementia includes medical expenses, long‑term care needs, and the significant amount of informal caregiving required. However, existing local cost estimates are limited and may no longer reflect current healthcare use, treatment practices, or the rising number of affected individuals.

This study aims to provide updated, Singapore‑specific estimates of healthcare costs and utilisation among individuals with subjective cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia, along with other related disorders. By linking clinical and research data from National Neuroscience Institute with comprehensive health, administrative, and billing records from the MOH TRUST database, we will examine how severity of disease and socioeconomic factors influence medical costs and patterns of care for dementia patients. A healthy control group will serve as comparator.

The findings will help identify key cost drivers, highlight groups with higher care needs, and provide insights into the financial and non‑financial impacts of dementia. The evidence will support policymakers, healthcare providers, and community partners in planning services, allocating resources, and designing targeted, cost‑effective interventions. Ultimately, the study seeks to reduce the economic burden on patients and caregivers, while improving care delivery across Singapore.