​​​Dementia is a leading cause of death and disability in older adults worldwide. Apart from the direct physical and psychological impact on the older adult’s life, the disease causes substantial social and economic impact in terms of healthcare and social cost. Dementia also leads to caregiver’s burden thus affecting the whole population at large. The Well-being of Singapore Elderly study conducted in 2013 showed that 1 in 10 older adults (60 years or above) in Singapore, suffer from Dementia. Around 1 in 27 older adults had Depression and these individuals had a higher likelihood of developing Dementia. Given the falling birth rates and the rapidly aging population in Singapore, it is imperative to monitor the prevalence of Dementia and Depression in Singapore to allow effective planning and distribution of resources required to tackle this looming problem.

WISE Recruit

Thus WiSE 2021 study, conducted by Institute of Mental Health's Research Division, will provide high quality data to monitor the burden of Dementia and Depression among the elderly in Singapore to support the development of future policies that will equip the nation to tackle this public health crisis.

The study aims to:

  1. Monitor the prevalence of Dementia and Depression amongst the elderly in Singapore through a population wide epidemiological study
  2. Estimate caregivers' burden
  3. Evaluate economic burden of the illness]

The multi-disciplinary research team is led by A/Prof Chong Siow Ann, Senior Consultant from the IMH and comprises international and local research investigators from IMH, Changi General Hospital, Ministry of Health, National University Hospital, and the King's College, London.​

This study is funded by the Ministry of Health. 


The study team includes​

Principal Investigator:

  • Assoc. Prof. Chong Siow Ann, Institute of Mental Health

Co- Investigators:                                                                                                        

  • Assoc. Prof. Mythily Subramaniam, Institute of Mental Health
  • Dr Chow Wai Leng, Ministry of Health
  • Dr Tey Su Hui Jeannie, Ministry of Health
  • Dr. Asharani PV Nair, Institute of Mental Health
  • Dr Fengyuan Yao, Institute of Mental Health
  • Dr. Edimansyah Abdin, Institute of Mental Health
  • Ms Janhavi Vaingankar, Institute of Mental Health
  • Dr Harish Magadi, Institute of Mental Health
  • Prof Martin Prince, King's College London
  • Prof Paul McCrone, Greenwich University, London​

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