WAR ON DIABETES DESIGNATHON 2017
Singapore has the second highest proportion of diabetics among developed nations, according to a report in 2015 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). In 2016, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong declared a “War on Diabetes” to inspire collective action to help people prevent and manage Type 2 Diabetes.
Fortunately, it is possible to live a life free of Type 2 Diabetes through behaviour changes such as proactive health screening,
increasing physical activity, improving eating habits, and adhering to medical advice and prescriptions.
In keeping with this vision, the War on Diabetes Designathon invited healthcare professionals, designers, students, and passionate innovators to design programmes or tools to motivate citizens to take charge of their health and fight Type 2 Diabetes.
Challenges
Interventions for persons at high risks of developing Type 2 Diabetes
Increasing physical activity level among working adults
Key Dates
Pre-Designathon workshop
Thursday, 22 June
Participants heard insights from experts and engaged in a discussion on the issues
War on Diabetes Designathon
Friday - Saturday, 30 June - 1 July
Teams spoke to expert mentors, designed their solutions, and began testing it in the real world
Designathon Pitch Day
Saturday, 8 July
Teams practised their presentations and pitched to a panel of senior healthcare industry leaders
Prizes
$5,000
First Prize
$3,000
Second Prize
$2,000
Third Prize
$1,000
Merit Prize x 2
$500
Best Design
$500
Best Use of Data/APIs
$500
Best Use of Technology
Organised by
Supporting Partners
Challenges
Interventions for persons at high risks of developing Type 2 Diabetes
How might we empower pre-diabetics to take charge of their condition and halt the progression to Type 2 Diabetes?
A) How can we better attract pre-diabetics to join intervention programmes?
B) How can we better support individuals throughout an intervention programme, so they stay with the programme and reap maximum benefits from it?
According to the findings of the National Health Survey conducted in 2010, 14.4% of Singapore residents aged 18-69 were diagnosed as pre-diabetic, a condition where individuals are at higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. With appropriate lifestyle changes, pre-diabetics can reverse their condition and prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.
However, even when presented with intervention programmes, such as nutrition workshops and exercise classes by HPB and partners like SingHealth, many pre-diabetics choose not to participate actively.
Increasing physical activity level among working adults
How can we encourage working adults to be more physically active through exercise and sports?
A) How can we better design and implement programmes that are more appealing and will sustain interest among working adults?
B) How can we enable working adults to be more intrinsically motivated to overcome personal and perceived barriers to exercise or play sports?
Combined with better nutrition, regular physical activity plays an important role in minimising the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. However, according to the findings from the National Health Survey conducted in 2010, 54% of adults aged 18-69 are not getting sufficient physical activity. The most common reason given for not clocking sufficient physical activity was the lack of time.
HPB believes that more can be done to engage working adults to keep them physically active, beyond the programmes that are currently offered.