The Health for Life in Singapore (HELIOS) Study is a sophisticated longitudinal research initiative designed to address the historic under-representation of Asian populations in genomic and clinical data. By profiling over 10,000 participants of Chinese, Indian, and Malay descent, researchers have created a comprehensive database that integrates lifestyle behaviors, environmental factors, and multi-omics data. The study reveals that while these ethnic groups share the same urban environment, they exhibit striking differences in metabolic health, genetic architecture, and molecular regulation. Notably, traditional genetic risk scores and dietary metrics developed for Western populations fail to fully explain the high rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease observed in specific Asian subgroups. By linking research findings to national health records, the HELIOS Study provides a powerful platform for advancing precision medicine tailored to the unique biological and social needs of Asian communities worldwide. This high-quality data resource aims to uncover the complex causes of chronic disease and improve long-term health outcomes across the region.

References:

• Wang X, Mina T, Sadhu N, et al. The Health for Life in Singapore (HELIOS) Study: delivering precision medicine research for Asian populations[J]. Nature Communications, 2025.