Keynote Address by Associate Professor Ding Yew Yoong, Executive Director, GERI, at the GERI 10th Anniversary Research Symposium (8 July 2025)

Professor Pang Weng Sun, Senior Advisor, GERI

Distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends,

Welcome to GERI's 10th Anniversary Research Symposium, and thank you very much for joining us here today. It is a joyous occasion.

1.      This is a milestone year for GERI. While GERI has forged ahead in the past 10 years, I believe there is much more work that we can do, together. Hence, this Symposium not only serves to mark our journey thus far, but also signals the start of more collaborations and breakthroughs in healthy ageing research in Singapore.

2.      We are all here today because in one way or another, each of us has a stake in creating a society where everyone can live and age healthily.

3.      With an ageing population and society, we face both an opportunity and an imperative. Latest figures show that life expectancy in Singapore has risen to 83.5 years, but our healthspan only stands at 74 years. Therefore, the challenge is to match these gains in life expectancy with years of good health that are lived with meaning and integrity. And at GERI, we’re deeply invested in how we can do so effectively, efficiently, sustainably and at scale, through better programmes and policies for the older person.

Healthy ageing: from global to local

4.      This quest for better solutions is part of a broader transformation. Allow me to briefly set the stage.

5.      In 2015, the World Health Organization’s Public Health Framework for Healthy Ageing signals a major conceptual shift from a disease-based, biomedical model of ageing and health to a person-centred approach. Functional ability is now emphasised as a critical outcome for older adults, with the need to optimise intrinsic capacity and supportive environments throughout the life course.  

6.      Functional ability is, of course, defined as the ability to meet basic needs, make decisions, be mobile, build and maintain relationships, and contribute to society. Intrinsic capacity comprises all the physical and mental capabilities that an older person can draw on.

7.      On supportive environments, we often think about natural or built surroundings, but the (WHO’s) Framework rightfully points out that social support and networks, enabling technologies, health-social services and policies, and attitudes to ageing are all part of this matrix.

8.      In Singapore, rapid ageing necessitates an approach that manages health and well-being in an integrated way, beyond just medical care. With social determinants of health said to account for about 60 per cent or more of health outcomes, Singapore has responded accordingly by shifting healthcare’s centre of gravity from our hospitals to the community. By optimising supportive environments, we directly address the social determinants of health in our older population.

9.      And so, policies such as Healthier SG seek to improve and maintain older adults’ physical and mental capabilities through preventive health and lifestyle changes, while Age Well SG supports older adults to age-in-place in their homes and communities.

10 years of healthy ageing research in Singapore: GERI’s contributions

10.  With these pieces in place, we need relevant research to support effective policies and practice implementation in preventive health strategies, early detection and effective interventions.

11.  Responding to this need, GERI has contributed to Singapore’s ageing research landscape by setting our roots firmly in the T3 (that is, translation to practice) and T4 (which is, translation to population) research spaces, with a focus on extending the healthy years of Singapore’s older population. Our contributions are characterised in three ways.

12.  GERI has first established itself as an implementation research partner in the areas of health and healthcare of older adults. Such research is especially important for complex, multidisciplinary care efforts to work. We need to identify the determinants of successful implementation to achieve optimal outcomes and guide future iterations. Insights on longer-term impact, such as scalability and sustainability, are also essential to practical decision-making.

13.  In this regard, GERI has delivered insights on multiple national ageing programmes over the years, such as on the Geriatric Services Hub, a community-based frailty management programme. You will hear more aboutthis later in the Symposium. We are currently leading evaluations on the Live Well, Age Well programme, helmed by the Health Promotion Board and the People’s Association, as well as on Community Care Apartments, a public assisted-living housing option to support ageing-in-place.

14.  As collaborator, GERI provides its implementation research expertise to co-develop healthcare interventions for older adults. Examples include the ADL+ 2.0 programme, led by the Institute of Geriatrics and Active Ageing at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, as well as the INFINITY-ICOPE programme, led by SingHealth. Both studies are supported by national grants.

15.  Second, GERI is dedicated to catalysing cross-cutting partnerships and collaborations. By doing so, we aim to centralise coordination, facilitate better integration with existing practices, and amplify beneficial impacts.

16.  One cross-cluster project that GERI has kick-started is called IMPACTFrail. This is an intrinsic capacity identification and management programme that we co-developed with the three polyclinic groups under NHG Health, SingHealth and the National University Health System. Pilot testing is underway at five sites across the island.

17.  Another result of GERI’s collaborative platforms is a set of national guidelines on the quality implementation of Advance Care Planning in Singapore. This was developed through a knowledge exchange platform convened by GERI in support of the Agency for Integrated Care. These guidelines were launched by AIC in May to benefit ACP practitioners.

18.  Third, GERI is supporting evidence-informed health policymaking on healthy ageing in Singapore. We set up a dedicated Health Policy Research Group within GERI, and they have been producing timely research evidence tailored to policymakers’ needs, incorporating valuable insights from domain experts and relevant stakeholders. You will hear more on this from our presenters later in the Symposium, on two studies that sought to inform decision-making around dementia screening tools and Brief Geriatric Assessments.

The future of healthy ageing research in Singapore: Informing practice and policy

19.  As we progress towards the year 2030, what should the future of healthy ageing research that informs practice and policy in Singapore look like? Here are three ideas for consideration.

20.  The first idea speaks to what we should prioritise in the ageing research agenda for Singapore.

21.  With such diverse priorities in the field, it would help to have a unifying framework to align our collective thinking and base our future efforts on. I mentioned the WHO’s Public Health Framework for Healthy Ageing, which guides the UN’s Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030, and this is a leading candidate. This framework centres on functional ability, and emphasises the interplay between function, intrinsic capacity, and supportive environments—all three which are “must-haves” for healthy ageing, with functional ability in activities and participation having its place as the key research outcome.

22.  Why is this relevant to Singapore? Notably in 2025, approximately 80,000 people aged 65 years or older in Singapore live with functional impairment, indicated by needing assistance for least one Activity of Daily Living. This number is projected to increase to 100,000 by 2030. Local research has affirmed that functional impairment results in increased hospitalisation costs, poor quality of life and reduced social participation—all of which we want to avoid.

23.  Given these brewing challenges, there is a compelling argument for Singapore’s ageing research agenda to prioritise optimising functional ability through improving both intrinsic capacity and supportive environments.

24.  Setting this as our research priority achieves two things. It aligns with Age Well SG’s goals in supporting ageing-in-place, as well as Healthier SG’s focus on preventive health. And if we want to envision a future where older adults can continue to do the things that matter to them, this approach also puts our health, community and social care systems in good stead to stem and ride through population health challenges to come.

25.  The second idea considers which research-related gaps to double down on. I would like to suggest that there are three gaps we should earnestly and resolutely seek to bridge.

26.  Foremost, there is the research-to-practice gap which needs to be addressed with approaches that accelerate research translation, of which implementation science is a prime expedient. This means we must expand beyond effectiveness studies to encompass implementation research.

27.  Next, we need to bridge the research-to-policy gap through supporting evidence-informed policymaking. We can do this by synthesising global evidence and contextualising it for Singapore. Researchers must first understand and then subsequently address health and social policy questions.

28.  No less important is the need to bridge the research-to-research gap. This means bringing together researchers working in different centres to collaborate, complement, and consolidate. It also means integrating laboratory studies, clinical trials, artificial intelligence applications, health services and population health research through the full translational spectrum to address crucial questions about age-related challenges, including frailty, dementia, social isolation, physical activity, nutrition, and others.

29.  The third idea concerns how we can realise our collective research aspirations for healthy ageing. I would like to highlight three powerful and overlapping enablers.

30.  One enabler is the application of implementation science to translate research evidence into real-world practice.

31.  Another enabler is the creation of integrated knowledge translation and exchange platforms. This brings together cross-sector partners including policymakers, practitioners, and researchers for collaborative dialogue and data-sharing, towards catalysing needed research and its translation.

32.  The third is intervention co-design by key stakeholders to improve the appropriateness, acceptability and feasibility of innovations. These stakeholders include programme implementers and older adults who will use these interventions. This way, translation impact will be greater through closer partnership.

33.  Incorporating these three enablers in ageing research will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the research that we do. Moreover, it strengthens our optimism that our work will continue to be able to future-proof our society, while keeping the evolving needs of our older population at the centre. And in Singapore, thanks to our unique systemic and geographical advantages, we are in a privileged position to fast-track the bridging of these gaps.

Strengthening translational research capabilities

34.  GERI intends to deepen our contributions to future research in healthy ageing in Singapore. And such an endeavour is a concerted rather than a solitary one. To this end, I am pleased to share that GERI will today sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Knowledge Translation Programme, or KTP for short, a research programme under Canada’s Unity Health Toronto.

35.  Researchers from both GERI and KTP have already been working closely over these past five years. Today’s MOU will serve to formalise and expand the scope of our partnership. Together, we will explore joint research opportunities and scientific activities, as well as engage in exchanges. Through this international collaboration, GERI will continue to strengthen its capabilities as a translational research partner within the ageing research space in Singapore.

36.  As a national entity, GERI will also co-lead research in healthy ageing with our fellow research institutes in Singapore. We look forward to combining our interdisciplinary strengths and uncovering much-needed local evidence on the health, social and mental well-being of older Singaporeans. These collective efforts will serve as a force multiplier for us to achieve more together, rather than independently.

In appreciation

37.  Speaking of collective efforts, I would like to take this opportunity to offer tribute and appreciation to the people and organisations who have helped GERI reach this milestone.

38.  Firstly, we are grateful for the steadfast support from the Ministry of Health, Singapore, from Day 1 when the idea of establishing GERI was first mooted.

39.  We also thank our pioneering leadership, some of whom are seated here today. In particular, to Professor Pang Weng Sun—who was instrumental in setting up GERI, and then serving as our founding Executive Director. Thank you, Prof Pang, for being GERI’s guiding light in our formative phase and our senior advisor till today.

40.  Many more people – and the list is too long  – from past to present have helped us on our way through the years: our faculty and scientists, our researchers and our staff, our wider network of collaborators, colleagues from the geriatrics community, and beyond. Here in GERI, we are grateful to all of you.

Moving ahead

41.  10 years ago, GERI began its journey with a clear mission. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to that mission with heightened urgency and renewed purpose. The path ahead requires not just scientific excellence, but also determination, a deeper sense of purpose, and an aspiration for positive social impact. And we are optimistic that we can achieve this, together.

42.  I note that a rich programme has been lined up today. Besides the morning’s MOU Signing Ceremony, the Symposium will feature presentations and expert discussions around evidence-informed policymaking, implementation and ageing well in the community.

43.  I trust that this Symposium will spark ideas and hopefully yield practical applications for you, as we strive to improve the lives of our older population here in Singapore—one programme and one policy at a time. I look forward to the engaging discussions we will have ahead.

44.  Thank you.