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Notably, from analysis of population survey data, multi-morbidities, the simultaneous
existence of more than one chronic condition for a patient, increases
with age. The existence of multiple complex health conditions necessitates complex
interventions that further increases demand on our health system (C&SD, 2019; Yeoh, 2018a).
Furthermore, chronic conditions drive premature mortality such that in 2020, around 70% of
all registered deaths were attributable to major non-communicable diseases (NCDs),
including cancers (29.2%), respiratory diseases (20.8%), cardiovascular diseases (19.2%),
and diabetes (1.2%) (Figure 1.9) (CHP, 2021b). These observations point to an urgent need
for better prevention, detection, and management of chronic conditions to relieve currently
overburdened specialist and hospital services and improve patient health outcomes.

Figure 1.9

Leading causes of death, 2020
[1]

17.13%
29.23%
1.15%

2.19%

2.92% 20.78%
4.00%

3.40% 19.20%

Cancers Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis Septicaemia
[2]
Respiratory diseases [2] External cuases of morbidity and mortality Diabetes mellitus
Cardiovascular diseases [2] Dementia All other causes

Notes: [1] The data used to calculate 2020 death rates are provisional figures and are subject to change.
[2] Malignant neoplasms is renamed as “cancers”; respiratory diseases include: pneumonia and chronic lower
respiratory disease; cardiovascular diseases include disease of the heart and cerebrovascular diseases.
Source: CHP, 2021b

Chronic disease is not a unique condition confined only to older populations. In fact, data
from 2011 showed that 26.0% of individuals aged 55–64, 10.5% of individuals aged 45–54,
and 5.4% of individuals aged 35–44 were diagnosed with two or more chronic illnesses, with
trends suggesting that these numbers will increase in the coming years (Ching, 2017).
Targeting prevention of NCDs earlier in the life course should be a priority.

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