Dear friends and colleagues,

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 8th Singapore Public Health and Occupational Medicine Conference. This year we have chosen the theme, "ADVANCING THE HEALTH OF POPULATIONS" for the conference, which is the translation of our new College’s motto ‘Populi Salus Summa’. This motto guides our work as public health and occupational medicine physicians as we strive to improve the health of the our population.

Singaporeans today are more knowledgeable and aware of their health and health-related issues, which concern not only themselves but also future generations. This conference will facilitate the understanding of some of these issues, which are grouped under the following themes:

1. Ageing population
2. Adult population
3. Youth and Children’s Health
4. Communities most at need

As our population lives longer, there is a need to understand the common needs and challenges of our elderly population and to encourage healthy ageing-in-place. At the same time, our young is confronted with an increasingly fast-paced inter-connected world, having to deal with issues such as cyber-bullying, and the likelihood for internet addiction. Vulnerable communities like the underprivileged deserve special consideration, as do too, the working adults who are exposed to health risk and safety issues at their workplace.

The speakers come from diverse backgrounds, from practising physicians to academics, and from locals to visiting experts. There will also be pre-conference workshops to provide participants with the opportunity to interact with, and learn from, our faculty experts.

To our Fellows, sponsors, exhibitors and valued attendees from previous Public Health and Occupational Medicine Conferences, we extend a warm welcome back and thank you for your continuing support of the College of Public Health and Occupational Physicians. We also welcome our first-time attendees and look forward to building a strong relationship with you.

We look forward to meeting you at the conference in Singapore, and hope that this conference will add to your knowledge base for application at work and provide you with a useful update on the latest issues in public health and occupational medicine.

Dr Mona Toh Co-Chairperson 8th PHOM Organizing Committee

Dr Matthias Toh Co-Chairperson 8th PHOM Organizing Committee