Researchers from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (KKH-MCHRI) are participating in a groundbreaking study aimed at establishing the first global system to track health before pregnancy. The study, published in The Lancet, introduces a set of indicators covering 12 areas to monitor the health of men and women of reproductive age worldwide.
The initiative comes amid increasing concerns over preconception health, with rising obesity and mental health challenges globally. Many women are entering pregnancy with conditions like obesity, diabetes, and mental illness, which can complicate childbirth. The study, involving over 5,000 participants across 13 countries, including Singapore, prioritised mental and physical health, supportive relationships, and financial stability as key factors before pregnancy.
In Singapore, the focus on physical and mental health is particularly relevant given the country’s declining fertility rates, which hit a low of 0.87 in 2025. Dr Ku Chee Wai from KKH-MCHRI noted that these findings align with global trends and support ongoing research efforts to create environments conducive to family planning.
The study, led by University College London and the University of Southampton, has distilled over 120 indicators to 40 core ones for a practical global surveillance system. The team plans to collaborate with international bodies, including the World Health Organisation, to integrate these indicators into existing health monitoring infrastructures. An international workshop in November 2026 will further refine these indicators, aiming for global consensus and implementation.
