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By Hoang Nguyen  April 14, 2026 | 05:00 am PT
Residents in northern Singapore are currently less active and face higher rates of chronic illness compared to the rest of the island, prompting Health Minister Ong Ye Kung to launch a new health initiative in Sembawang Central.
The "Let's Jalan" movement was kicked off on April 12 with Ong leading a mass brisk walk activity involving 500 residents in Bukit Canberra.
The movement, once successful in the north where hypertension and diabetes prevalence is higher than the national average, will be extended across Singapore, Ong said, as quoted by The Straits Times.
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Pedestrians in Singapore. Photo by AFP |
According to Health Promotion Board (HPB) data, residents in northern Singapore clock a median of 100 minutes of physical activity per week, falling short of the national median of 120 minutes. Both figures remain below the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise recommended for adults.
Ong, who also serves as a Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC, described brisk walking as the most accessible form of exercise for most people.
"Brisk walking is the simplest, lowest entry exercise for most people, especially seniors. You don't need equipment, you don't need a gym, you don't need a subscription. You can do it alone," he said, as cited by AsiaOne.
Sembawang Central now hosts seven brisk walking clubs with over 280 active members.
To support the movement, the HPB is piloting new features for its Healthy 365 app in area. Starting in June 2026, the app will introduce gamification features and navigation tools, including maps of fitness corners, parks and heritage trails.
The app will also offer several incentives to keep residents moving through a reward system. Users can earn 20 Healthpoints by visiting designated locations, while a 300-point bonus is available for inactive residents or those new to physical activity. These points can be exchanged for practical rewards such as supermarket and transport vouchers.
