BLUEPRINT for Wellness – Townships Redefining Healthy Living in 2025

Malaysia’s Big Four: The Rise of NCDs Among Younger Population
According to a 2023 study by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, 55% of Malaysians scored below 0.34 on the Malaysian Healthy Lifestyle Index (MHLI)—a threshold that reflects unhealthy lifestyles marked by low physical activity, poor dietary habits, and other risk factors. These unhealthy patterns increase the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). “The foundation of NCDs in Malaysia lies in hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. Malaysia has one of the highest obesity rates in Asia,” said IJN CEO Datuk Sri Dr Mohamed Ezani. “It was once common for those in their 50s or 60s to be affected, but now I see patients in their late 20s or 30s.” He added that sedentary work culture, smoking, and stress further contribute to this trend.

The MHLI is a composite score based on physical activity, healthy eating, smoking habits, and mental well-being. It ranges from 0 to 1, where 1 indicates the healthiest lifestyle. Despite fair performance in individual areas, most Malaysians scored in the “very low” category, showing a gap between awareness and action.

Why Knowing Isn’t Enough: Behaviour and the Environment
Despite awareness, many struggle to act. “One of the biggest misconceptions in human behaviour is that knowledge alone drives action. It doesn’t,” said behavioural scientist Liyann Ooi. “Behaviour doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it’s shaped by our physical and social environments.” Malaysia’s environment, including limited access to healthy food and sedentary workspaces, doesn’t support healthier choices.

The Oxford Health Alliance’s “3-4-50 concept” shows how three behaviours (unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use) cause four chronic diseases that contribute to over 50% of global deaths. In Malaysia, 98% of adults exhibit at least one of these behaviours.

The Cost of Illness: Healthcare and Healthspan
With NCDs persisting, Malaysians are spending more on healthcare—RM24.6 billion out-of-pocket in 2021, or 31.5% of total expenditure. “Thanks to medical advancements, prolonging life isn’t difficult anymore,” said NHAM Vice President Ma Soot Keng. “But healthspan—the years you live in good health—is more important than just living to 100. We need to focus on staying active and independent.”