HEALTH PODCAST JUST A MOUSE-CLICK AWAY
Possibly the first Government agency to launch a podcast

On 22 December 2005, Health Promotion Board (HPB) will launch a health podcast on HPB’s website - HPB Online at http://www.hpb.gov.sg.

Health Podcasting

2      HPB is possibly the first government agency to offer podcasting. Podcasting is an increasingly popular technology that allows users to download audio files from the Internet. Users can subscribe to a podcast to receive automatic downloads.

3     HPB’s first podcast will feature 13 episodes of the “Health Talk with Nancy Sit”. This series, featuring the Hong Kong celebrity, also fondly known as “Hao Yi”, was first broadcast on Capital 95.8FM from 8 August 2005. It covered female-related illnesses such as cervical cancer and breast cancer and other general health topics like nutrition, osteoporosis and depression.

4     Members of the public can subscribe to the podcast from HPB Online for personal listening. These audio clips can also be transferred to portable MP3 players. Those who do not wish to use the podcast, may download individual episodes. Please refer to the Annex

5     “Podcasting offers users the convenience of listening to health programmes at their own time and even while they are on the go. HPB aims to reach out to internet users through a medium that is fast gaining in popularity,” said Mr. Richard Lim, Head of Resource Development Department, Health Promotion Board.

Background Information on HPB Online

6     HPB Online (http://www.hpb.gov.sg) is a one-stop comprehensive internet resource containing health information such as topical health articles, health programmes, events and nutritional databases. It has links to other regional and international health websites.