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Health Check

Health Check

The Straits Times 160 Episodes Jul 13, 2026

Health Check is a monthly podcast from The Straits Times that helps listeners make sense of health matters. Hosted by Joyce Teo, it covers a range of health topics relevant to Singaporeans. The podcast is produced by Amirul Karim with executive producers Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong. It is part of SPH Media's podcast lineup.

Episodes

S1E151: What your blood pressure reading misses
S1E151: What your blood pressure reading misses Jul 13, 2026 1288 Discover why standard clinical checks might miss critical heart risks, and the vital role of fat loss over weight loss. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. For millions of people worldwide living with hypertension, keeping blood pressure numbers in the normal zone is the ultimate goal. But what if that peace of min
S1E150: Palliative care is for living, not just dying: Talk about it sooner
S1E150: Palliative care is for living, not just dying: Talk about it sooner Jun 8, 2026 2380 Your guide to a kinder end-of-life journey in the ICU. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National University Hospital recently launched a new initiative called A Kinder ICU that is supported by a 3.93 million grant from the Lien Foundation. The aim is to integrate palliative care into s
S1E149: Slow ageing with exercise and diet: Geriatrician's tips
S1E149: Slow ageing with exercise and diet: Geriatrician's tips May 11, 2026 1685 We are living longer, but are we living healthier? Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Singapore is one of the fastest-ageing nations in the world. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above. There are also more Singaporeans living past 100 today.  We are living longer, but are we living healthier? And, what does "a
S1E148: Health insurance riders: Buy one, downgrade or drop It?
S1E148: Health insurance riders: Buy one, downgrade or drop It? Apr 13, 2026 1856 Navigating Singapore’s evolving health insurance landscape. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. The rules for Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders changed on Apr 1, 2026. New mandates from the Ministry of Health mean that riders that offer nearly full coverage can no longer be sold. They have been  replace
S1E147: Is your psychologist actually qualified? How to check in Singapore
S1E147: Is your psychologist actually qualified? How to check in Singapore Mar 9, 2026 2017 Clearing the air on what different types of psychologists do. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. The Ministry of Health has announced that five key psychological subdisciplines will be registered under the Allied Health Professions Act, with details expected to be out in early 2027.  This move aims to enhance
S1E146: Is it safe to exercise with joint pain? An orthopaedic surgeon explains
S1E146: Is it safe to exercise with joint pain? An orthopaedic surgeon explains Feb 9, 2026 1533 Resting too much can weaken muscles, worsening joint pain in the long run, says an expert. Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Problems affecting bones, joints, muscles, and tendons are the leading contributor of disability among all ages worldwide.  These problems arising from musculoskeletal disorders comprise diverse conditions a
S1E145: OCD (Pt 2): 4-day treatment and the Bergen approach
S1E145: OCD (Pt 2): 4-day treatment and the Bergen approach Jan 12, 2026 1570 The science of getting unstuck from OCD in four days. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is often misunderstood. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is frequently misunderstood. Although the term is often used casually, it is a potentially severe disorder that can drastically d
S1E144: OCD (Pt 1): The hidden reality and a new way out
S1E144: OCD (Pt 1): The hidden reality and a new way out Jan 6, 2026 819 OCD is more than a quirk. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is often misunderstood. Although the term OCD is often used casually, it is a potentially severe disorder that can drastically disrupt a person's life.  However, it is highly treatable. Yet, many people remain un
S1E143: Helping children understand and manage their emotions
S1E143: Helping children understand and manage their emotions Dec 2, 2025 1742 A psychiatrist's guide to your child's emotional well-being. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Many parents spend time teaching their kids essential skills like reading or spelling but they often forget to teach them a key skill that will determine their success, their relationships, and their overall happiness.
S1E142: Boys with nine hours of sleep are less likely to grow fat
S1E142: Boys with nine hours of sleep are less likely to grow fat Nov 4, 2025 1381 Boys who slept nine hours or more every night had a lower obesity risk and less dangerous fat. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. A recent A*Star study found that boys who slept at least nine hours every night had a 51 per cent lower obesity risk and less abdominal fat.  Abdominal fat, particularly fat around
S1E141: Grieving matters: How to cope with the loss of a loved one
S1E141: Grieving matters: How to cope with the loss of a loved one Sep 30, 2025 2318 Grief is a painful, individual emotional and physical response to a significant loss. But it can be managed.  Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. Grief is a painful, individual emotional and physical response to a significant loss.Death, divorce, the loss of a home or a job, fast declining health are amon
S1E140: Health risks in young 'healthy-weight' women
S1E140: Health risks in young 'healthy-weight' women Sep 2, 2025 1550 You can appear lean but have insufficient muscle mass and too much body fat. Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. A local paper has found that 1 in 4 young women, despite having a normal weight, had low muscle mass, weak bones and high body fat. This increases their future risks for not only osteoporosis and muscle

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