In September 2023, the Youngberg Wellness Center organised a series of health talks by Dr Gary Fraser. These talks, held across various venues in Singapore, delved into the nuances of public health studies and the impact of lifestyle choices on longevity.
Addressing Preventive Medicine Residents at NUH and TTSH
On 21 September, Dr Fraser spoke at the National University Hospital (NUH) about “How to Design & Implement Large-scale Population Cohort Studies - Challenges & Lessons Learned”. He discussed the intricacies of such studies with around 20 Preventive Medicine Residents, highlighting the importance of maintaining scientific integrity. Dr Fraser emphasised that research grants must be clear and specific to prevent sponsor bias in the results.
The next day, at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), he engaged with in-person and online attendees, focusing on similar themes. The discussion, facilitated by Dr Lim Wei-yen, including responses to application-related queries from Preventive Health Fellows.
Engaging the Adventist Community and the General Public
At the Balestier Road Seventh-day Adventist Church on 23 September, Dr Fraser's talk attracted 92 attendees. He elaborated on the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2), a significant cohort study involving nearly 100,000 Seventh-day Adventists from the U.S. and Canada. This study, initiated in 2002, focuses on dietary habits and their impact on health, particularly cancer risk.
On 24 September, Dr Fraser concluded his series at the Youngberg Wellness Centre with a talk titled “How Can I Live Long and Stay Healthy”, addressing community members and the general public.
Key Highlights from Audience Interactions
During these sessions, Dr Fraser answered several pertinent questions from the audience. One query addressed the challenge of balancing sponsor expectations in studies, to which Dr Fraser stressed the need for explicit contracts to avoid sponsor bias. Another question focused on strategies to maintain interest in long-term study participants. Dr Fraser shared that for AHS-2, follow-up questionnaires, newsletters, appreciation cards, and dedicated staff were employed to keep participants engaged.
Dr Gary Fraser's series of talks, organised by the Youngberg Wellness Center, offered valuable insights into public health research and the role of diet in promoting longevity. This event highlights the ongoing commitment to enhancing health awareness and education in Singapore.
By Faith Toh, with additional reporting from Dr Eric Teo.
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