We were pleased to support the recent SilverSparks Monthly Gathering event organised together with SG Assist, where senior participants gathered for an engaging and educational session focused on diabetes, cholesterol, and cardiovascular health awareness.
During the session, speaker Dr Lum Zheng Kang — Founder and CEO of COLLABRING, as well as a pharmacist and health services researcher focused on translating clinical evidence into practical healthcare programmes that improve population health — shared valuable insights on the importance of understanding diabetes and high cholesterol and their impact on the heart, kidneys, and nerves.
The session also covered the importance of understanding key health indicators, such as blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and what these numbers may mean for an individual’s health risks. Participants were encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyle habits and take a more proactive approach towards preventive healthcare. At the end of the session, participants were also able to receive finger-prick point-of-care testing for diabetes and cholesterol management provided by SG Diagnostics.
Health Talk with Dr Lum
To further support public awareness, we have also put together a series of Q&A questions with Dr Lum:
Q1. From your experience, what’s the biggest misconception seniors have about high blood cholesterol and diabetes?
The main issue is associating absence of symptoms with absence of risk and hence not a cause of concern. Both conditions are asymptomatic but drive cumulative vascular damage over time. Current guidelines emphasise management of risk factors precisely because clinical events occur late in the disease trajectory. Medication helps, but outcomes depend on sustained risk factor control (for example, diet, weight, activity).
Q2. Between HbA1c and blood glucose testing, which one tends to be underestimated but is actually more concerning in the long term?
The implications of high HbA1c tend to be underestimated. HbA1c reflects average glycaemic exposure over 2 to 3 months and is the primary metric linked to risks of diabetes complications. However, both HbA1c and blood glucose readings are useful to assess glycaemic control, and therefore, we often encourage patients to perform self-monitoring of blood glucose.
Q3. Are you seeing cases presenting at a younger age? If so, what are the contributing factors?
Yes. Regional and global surveillance show rising incidence at younger ages. The drivers include: higher intake of energy-dense, ultra-processed foods, low physical activity, and poor sleep quality. Earlier-onset disease is associated with longer lifetime exposure and higher complication burden, which is the key clinical concern.
Through these educational initiatives, we hope to encourage more informed conversations around preventive care and healthier lifestyle habits within the community. We remain committed to supporting preventive healthcare through accessible point-of-care solutions that encourage earlier action, proper monitoring and continuous care. We hope to see you at the next event!
