CHE Seminar Series: Proximity to death, ageing, and healthcare expenditure in Singapore
Like many other developed countries, Singapore is undergoing a swift transition into a super-aged society. Within the literature exploring ageing and healthcare cost, certain factors have been identified as key drivers of rising health costs. These factors include population ageing, the prevalence of chronic conditions and the proximity to death. Notably, there exists a strong correlation among these factors, and may serve as proxies for one another. For instance, ageing is a known risk factor for many chronic conditions, but the red herring hypothesis posits that the primary driver of increased healthcare expenditures is proximity to death rather than aging itself. This study attempts to assess the impact of chronic conditions by incorporating population health state and controlling for the effects of ageing and proximity to death. Using data from the Panel on Health and Ageing of Singaporean Elderly (PHASE), we find time-to-death affects the probability of healthcare consumption. Chronic condition controls are highly significant in predicting the probability that individuals require healthcare, but their effect on hospitalization length of stay is limited. Preventive health measures and mitigating chronic disease burden through public health policies may be useful in reducing healthcare demand.
Speaker profile
Chia Ngee Choon is an associate professor of economics at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She has built a solid research portfolio and has published scholarly work in fiscal policies and economics of ageing studies. She has consulted prominent international entities, including ADB, ADBI, IDRC, and the World Bank. She was also invited to be co-chair of the T20 Taskforce on Social Cohesion for the G20 meetings under the Italian Presidency in 2021. She has conducted several commissioned studies on the adequacy of social security under the Central Provident Fund (CPF) system in Singapore. She has led collaborative research with the CPF Board and the Ministry of Manpower in work, retirement and health.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact Trong-Anh.Trinh@monash.edu.
Event Details
- Date:
- 13 September 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Venue:
- Caulfield campus, Building H, Level 8, Room H801
- Categories:
- CHE Seminar; General
Description
Like many other developed countries, Singapore is undergoing a swift transition into a super-aged society. Within the literature exploring ageing and healthcare cost, certain factors have been identified as key drivers of rising health costs. These factors include population ageing, the prevalence of chronic conditions and the proximity to death. Notably, there exists a strong correlation among these factors, and may serve as proxies for one another. For instance, ageing is a known risk factor for many chronic conditions, but the red herring hypothesis posits that the primary driver of increased healthcare expenditures is proximity to death rather than aging itself. This study attempts to assess the impact of chronic conditions by incorporating population health state and controlling for the effects of ageing and proximity to death. Using data from the Panel on Health and Ageing of Singaporean Elderly (PHASE), we find time-to-death affects the probability of healthcare consumption. Chronic condition controls are highly significant in predicting the probability that individuals require healthcare, but their effect on hospitalization length of stay is limited. Preventive health measures and mitigating chronic disease burden through public health policies may be useful in reducing healthcare demand.
Speaker profile
Chia Ngee Choon is an associate professor of economics at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She has built a solid research portfolio and has published scholarly work in fiscal policies and economics of ageing studies. She has consulted prominent international entities, including ADB, ADBI, IDRC, and the World Bank. She was also invited to be co-chair of the T20 Taskforce on Social Cohesion for the G20 meetings under the Italian Presidency in 2021. She has conducted several commissioned studies on the adequacy of social security under the Central Provident Fund (CPF) system in Singapore. She has led collaborative research with the CPF Board and the Ministry of Manpower in work, retirement and health.
Weekly seminar series
As part of our Centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
For further information on our seminar series, please contact Trong-Anh.Trinh@monash.edu.