Disparities and Post-Diabetic Complications in Diabetes Screening Adherence Among Adults Aged ≥40 in Singapore: A Population-Level Retrospective Study
Main Applicant – Dr Zhang Yichi, Research Fellow, Centre for Population Health Research and Implementation, SingHealth

Diabetes is a major health issue in Singapore, and early screening helps detect the disease before serious complications occur. The Ministry of Health recommends that all adults aged 40 and above undergo diabetes screening at least once every three years. However, not everyone goes for screening, and little is known about who adheres to this guideline and how it affects their long-term health.

This study will use anonymised national healthcare records to examine how many people follow the screening guideline, what factors influence adherence (such as age, income, housing type, comorbidities), and whether non-adherence increases the risk of serious complications like kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, or death.

By understanding real-world screening behaviour and its health consequences, this research will help policymakers improve outreach, reduce health disparities, and design targeted interventions to prevent diabetes-related complications.