AIA Singapore has concluded its inaugural AIA Healthcare Summit 2026, bringing together more than 700 policymakers, clinical specialists, technology innovators and corporate leaders to examine how Singapore can extend healthspan and support healthier ageing.
Held under the theme “Purposeful Longevity: Advancing Holistic Health through Public-Private Partnerships”, the summit focused on the societal, financial and healthcare challenges associated with Singapore’s ageing population.
The event was attended by Guest of Honour Lai Wei Lin, Permanent Secretary for Policy and Development at the Ministry of Health, who delivered the opening keynote.
AIA Singapore said longer lifespans, rising medical costs, increasing chronic disease and longer periods of care are placing greater pressure on healthcare-system sustainability.
“As Singaporeans live longer, our collective focus must shift from merely adding years to life, to adding life to those years,” said Wong Sze Keed, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Singapore.
“Sustainable longevity requires a fundamental shift away from reactive healthcare. At AIA Singapore, we believe that bridging the ten-year gap between lifespan and healthspan is a challenge that cannot be solved by a single sector alone.”
The summit examined how public-private partnerships could support a transition from treatment-driven healthcare towards prevention, early intervention and continuous health management.
Recent findings from the AIA Longevity Study indicate that Singaporeans expect to live to an average age of 80.2 years but anticipate their health beginning to decline at 70.2 years, resulting in an expected ten-year gap between lifespan and healthspan.
The study also found that 51% of Singaporeans view longevity as a concern rather than an opportunity.
Artificial intelligence, data analytics, precision medicine and connected health technologies formed another major area of discussion at the summit.
Speakers examined how AI-enabled health services, predictive analytics, precision geromedicine and consumer wearables could support earlier identification of health risks and enable more preventive and personalised approaches to care.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of translating health data into actionable insights rather than simply increasing the volume of information available to patients and healthcare professionals.
Behavioural science was identified as another component of healthy longevity, with speakers discussing how healthcare systems, incentives and environments can help individuals maintain healthier behaviours over longer periods.
The summit also examined the workplace as an important setting for preventive healthcare as Singaporeans remain in the workforce for longer.
Kenneth Tan, Chief Corporate Solutions Officer at AIA Singapore, said employers have a growing role in supporting long-term health and wellbeing.
“Our workforce is one of Singapore's greatest assets, and protecting its health cannot begin only when illness occurs. As people live and work longer, employers have an increasingly important role in creating environments that support lifelong vitality.”
He added that workplace wellbeing should be viewed as a strategic investment in workforce health, business resilience and Singapore’s longer-term economic competitiveness.
The summit concluded that healthcare providers, insurers, employers, government agencies, communities and individuals will need to work together to support preventive care and healthier ageing across Singapore.
