Malaysia To Hold Conference On Behavioural Sciences For Health Next Year - Dzulkefly

CYBERJAYA, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will host the first National Conference on Behavioural Sciences for Health in April next year, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the conference would bring together policymakers, health professionals, researchers and community leaders to share knowledge, showcase innovations and strengthen collaboration.

“Malaysia will take the lead in hosting this conference for the first time which we will hold in 2026.

“This conference is for us to share knowledge, collaborate and drive very good collaboration,” he said at a press conference after launching the National Blueprint for Behavioural Insights in Health here today.

In the meantime, he is inviting civil servants and private agencies, academics and the public to join the conference, in harnessing behavioural science for better health.

This is in line with MADANI values including Sustainability, Wellbeing and Kindness,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, he said the blueprint is the outcome of efforts that began with the establishment of the Behavioural Insights Unit in 2022 and Malaysia’s co-adoption of the World Health Organization (WHO) Resolution on Behavioural Sciences in 2023.

He said the blueprint, finalised this year, reflects Malaysia's commitment to putting the WHO resolution into action at the national level.

Dzulkefly said the country is facing a heavy burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), citing the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey which showed that more than half of adults are overweight or obese, and nearly a third remain physically inactive.

The survey also revealed that most adults consume fewer fruits and vegetables than recommended, while one in five still use tobacco.

"These lifestyle factors are driving diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, which now account for 72 per cent of premature deaths and cost the economy over RM64 billion a year," he said.

He added that effective behavioral interventions could save 180,000 lives, add 400,000 healthy life years and generate RM30 billion in value over the next 15 years.

Dzulkefly said the blueprint is anchored in the 13th Malaysia Plan, the Health White Paper and the WHO Resolution, and outlines six national priorities to guide the country's health transformation.

He said the blueprint calls for behavioural insights to be integrated into all policies and programmes, and for training to build a workforce that can sustain these efforts.

"It also stresses the need for research that fits Malaysia's context, as well as stronger monitoring and evaluation to track progress.

"In addition, consultation and advisory mechanisms will be put in place, while collaboration and advocacy will be strengthened through partnerships across sectors," he said.

-- BERNAMA