Singapore launches SPICE program to screen and prevent decline in older adults

Singapore has begun a structured study called SPICE, Screen and Prevent Decline in Intrinsic Capacity in Elders, that tests a community-based pathway to identify and address early functional decline in adults aged 60 and above. The program supports the national Decade of Healthy Ageing Action Plan and relies on collaboration across multiple sectors.

What is the SPICE program?

SPICE stands for Screen and Prevent Decline in Intrinsic Capacity in Elders, a study evaluating a structured, community-based pathway designed to screen older adults, risk stratify them, and prevent decline in intrinsic capacity. Intrinsic capacity refers to the combination of physical and mental abilities a person can draw on, and the World Health Organization has identified it as a key marker of healthy ageing. The Singapore study formalises how this concept is applied at a population level through coordinated screening efforts.

Who is the program designed for?

SPICE targets adults aged 60 years and above living in Singapore. This age group is the focus because intrinsic capacity, covering domains such as mobility, cognition, and vitality, tends to decline gradually from this stage of life, and early detection creates a window for intervention before losses become harder to reverse.

How does the pathway work?

The study evaluates a structured pathway that screens older adults for early signs of decline, risk stratifies them based on findings, and then connects them to preventive support. This is described as a multisectoral collaboration, meaning the pathway is intended to bring together different community and health system partners rather than relying on a single provider or clinic.

Why does this matter for Singapore's ageing population?

The SPICE study is explicitly framed as implementation of the national Decade of Healthy Ageing Action Plan, positioning it as a practical test of how the country's broader ageing policy goals can be delivered at the community level. By focusing on prevention of decline rather than treatment after functional loss occurs, the pathway aims to extend the period older adults can remain independent.

What happens next?

As a registered clinical study, SPICE will generate implementation data on how well the screening and prevention pathway works when delivered through multisectoral collaboration in Singapore. Further details on outcomes and findings will depend on the study's progress as recorded on its ClinicalTrials.gov listing.