In the daily hustle of everyday life, it’s easy to overlook the small choices that affect our health. This is where the Health Promotion Board (HPB) steps in. As Singapore’s national agency that drives health promotion, HPB leads initiatives to support healthier lifestyles and improve the physical and mental well-being of Singaporeans, all with the vision of building a nation of healthy people.

To continue this important work, the agency supports individuals who are passionate about making a difference to public health. One such individual is Yeo Kai Lin, an HPB Local Merit Mid-Term Undergraduate Scholar, who now serves as a Senior Manager in the Integrated Programme department.

We spoke with her to learn how she’s turning passion into purpose through her work at HPB.

What inspired you to pursue a path in public health?

While studying at the National University of Singapore, I had several medical follow-ups and often noticed many seniors at the hospital, waiting for their turn to see the doctor. One particular time, after a long wait, I was struck by a very gloomy thought: does growing old mean spending more time in hospitals?

During that time, I was taking a public health module in school, which opened my eyes to the fact that while some underlying health conditions are beyond our control, taking active steps to make positive lifestyle changes can prevent common health issues. This realisation combined with what I noticed at hospital waiting areas, sparked my deep interest in preventive health. My hope is that, in the future, we will be able to spend more time outside living our lives and less time in hospitals waiting to see the doctor.

That’s interesting! What made the HPB scholarship the right fit for you?

The scholarship felt like a perfect fit because it offered many opportunities to work on projects that focus on preventive health and address the upstream factors that can influence health outcomes. This was aligned with my aspirations to create meaningful change and make a positive impact on the lives of Singaporeans.

How has the scholarship shaped your personal growth and professional journey?

As someone who tends to be quite risk-averse and hesitant to try out new things, being a HPB scholar has given me the opportunity to rotate across different teams in the organisation and work on a variety of projects. The exposure to different functions in HPB has broadened my perspective. I have been fortunate to have nurturing mentors who have guided my growth, challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and trusted me with new responsibilities. This has helped build my confidence both personally and professionally.

You’ve been with HPB since 2017, how has the journey been so far?

My journey at HPB started at the Workplace Health and Outreach Division, where I was part of a team tasked with bringing workplace health to mature workers through customised on-ground programmes. Through speaking with and shadowing workers across various industries, I have gained insight into the daily challenges they face when attempting to maintain healthy lifestyles while juggling competing priorities.

These insights have shaped my approach to programme planning and design in my current role in digital health, where practicality and relevance are important considerations in designing citizen-centric solutions.

Could you walk us through your daily tasks in your current role?

I’m currently in the Integrated Programme team, where we focus on creating a digital journey on the Healthy 365 app that supports HPB’s mission of empowering individuals to take ownership of their health. My role involves conceptualising, developing and evaluating gamified challenges on the app.

A typical day includes collaborating with various stakeholders to translate programme objectives, behaviour change principles, and data-driven insights into innovative gamification concepts. These concepts are then piloted and rolled out on the app to support residents in adopting healthier living habits.

Gamifying health challenges sounds fun, how do you ensure it drives meaningful impact?

While the programme design is fundamentally anchored in established health guidelines, HPB’s culture is very supportive of innovation and trying out new ideas. We collaborate across multiple teams on ideation, which provide useful insights from different lenses. We also work with external stakeholders to leverage their expertise, such as by working with research collaborators to apply behavioural science to enhance features on the Healthy 365 app.

How has your diverse academic background equipped you for your current role?

It has equipped me with skills to contribute to various types of projects and take on different roles. For instance, when I was in the Workplace Health and Outreach team, working with partners to implement workplace health programmes for their employees, my business background was invaluable for managing the operational aspects of planning and executing these programmes. In my current role with the Integrated Programme team, my Economics and Public Health training has enabled me to approach programme design in a logical, data-driven and evidence-based manner.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career at HPB?

The most rewarding part has been working on projects that help Singapore residents live healthier lives. Every initiative has made a positive impact, no matter how big or small. This deeply aligns with my personal goal of making a meaningful difference and continues to motivate me as I continue my journey at HPB.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring HPB scholars?

The HPB Undergraduate Scholarship is a great opportunity for those keen to join HPB and contribute to building a healthier nation. Undergraduates will have opportunities to take part in internships at HPB to gain first-hand experience in health promotion. After graduation, there will also be a wide range of projects to work on, allowing them to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Singapore residents.