From Me to We: a Social Movement to Add 15 Million Years of Healthy Life (15M Social Movement)

As the Regional Health Manager for Central and North Singapore, we play a key role in managing healthcare for 1.5 million residents in the region. While Singaporeans enjoy one of the world’s longest life expectancies at 85 years, they typically spend their final decade in poor health, presenting an opportunity to transform wellbeing through collective community action and social connection.

What is the 15M Social Movement?

The 15M Social Movement (“15M”) is an initiative by NHG Health that invites residents, families, friends, neighbours, schoolmates, colleagues, and community groups across Central and North Singapore to connect and act together for each other’s health.

 

Together, we can build healthier communities where people look out for one another, form meaningful connections, and take shared action to live well together.

 

Our collective aspiration:

To add 15 million years of healthy life together by helping our 1.5 million residents regain the 10 years typically lost to poor health.

 

15M represents a shift in how we see health:

  • From Me to We – pursuing health with those around you instead of alone.
  • From Get to Give – from receiving care to creating it in our communities.
  • From Care to Health – from treating illness to growing total well-being.
Why a Social Movement for Health?

Health is shaped not only by medical care, but also by the social conditions and relationships that surround us. Research shows that people with strong social connections tend to lead more active, healthier lives and have a 50% reduced risk of mortality compared to those with weaker social relationships.

 

By connecting and acting together with those around us, we build and strengthen bonds, creating communities where people have support, purpose, and belonging. Together, we add years of healthy life to ourselves and those we care for.

 

15M taps on the collective power of connection, empowering communities to build on their strengths, relationships, and shared purpose to improve health for all.

Meet our Mascots

 

The 15M Social Movement has three mascots which represents roles we can all play in adding 15 million years of healthy life together.

Olah – The Activated Resident

Olah actively seeks health for self, with others, and for others in the community. She represents residents who embrace wellness not just as a personal journey, but as something to be shared and supported together.

Lylah – The Connector

Lylah connects others to activities and support they need in the neighbourhood. He's the resident who knows what's available and helps match people to the right resources, whether it's finding a walking group or connecting someone to community support.

Ellah – The Organiser

Ellah organises groups to take action for health in her community. She's the resident who steps up to rally neighbours around causes that matter to them, from starting exercise groups to coordinating community health initiatives that bring people together.
What We’ve Achieved Together

15M takes form through the actions of residents, partners, and communities who connect and act together for one another’s health. These efforts are brought to life through three key areas, each showing how Olah, Lylah, and Ellah’s spirit takes shape in real life.

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How You Can Take Part

Everyone has a role to play:

  • Be an Activated Resident. Take care of your own health and inspire those around you to do the same.
  • Be a Connector. Link friends, neighbours, and colleagues to activities, opportunities for health, and community resources.
  • Be an Organiser. Bring people together by organising your own healthy activity and inviting your families, friends, neighbours, schoolmates, colleagues, interest group to join in!

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