KEPALA BATAS, February 13 – Penang has a higher prevalence of obesity, high cholesterol, and other non-communicable diseases compared to the national average, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed today. Speaking at the launch of the North Seberang Perai Wellness Hub, he cited the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, which found that 56.5 per cent of Penangites are overweight or obese, surpassing the national rate of 54.4 per cent.
High cholesterol affects 37.4 per cent of residents, while 35.4 per cent suffer from high blood pressure—both figures exceeding the country’s overall rates. The survey also showed that diabetes is more prevalent in Penang, affecting 20.5 per cent of adults, compared to the national rate of 15.6 per cent, with 7.7 per cent of cases undiagnosed.
Dzulkefly also warned that Malaysia is heading towards becoming an aged nation by 2035, with the elderly population expected to rise from 11.6 per cent in 2024 to 15 per cent. He emphasized the need for proactive healthcare measures to address these growing health concerns.
