Real-time data on one's overall health status and lifestyle, across the entire Malaysian population, could potentially revolutionise public health policies and programmes, especially for chronic disease.
Reported Covid deaths among adults aged 40-59 with comorbidities were 171% higher than in seniors aged 60+ without underlying health issues from Feb 6-March 12, 2022.
Efforts should be put in place to help people, particularly older adults, achieve and maintain a healthy weight while maintaining their physical functions.
Malaysia has fallen behind targets with 21.3% smoking prevalence in 2019, nearly 3 percentage points higher than the 18.5% goal for that year in the National Strategic Plan for Tobacco Control.
Besides infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases will also be the focal point of the state’s public health advisory council, says Dzulkefly Ahmad.