Dr Nur Balqis Zahirah Ali, a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, won Second Prize for Oral Presentation at the 2nd Translational and Holistic Medicine Conference 2026 (TranSMeC). The conference was held from 28 to 29 October 2026 at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Kuala Terengganu.
Her presentation, ‘Who is at Risk of Ageing Poorly? Translating Intrinsic Capacity Research into Practice’, shared findings from her DrPH study conducted under the supervision of Professor Dr Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi and Professor Dr Choo Wan Yuen. The research examines intrinsic capacity among older Malaysians and its implications for promoting healthy ageing.
Intrinsic capacity refers to the physical and mental capacities that individuals can draw upon as they age. Using nationally representative data from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018, the study identified factors associated with poorer intrinsic capacity among older persons in Malaysia.
The presentation linked these findings to practical opportunities for primary care, including targeted screening, promoting physical activity, and strengthening social support. These approaches can help translate population-level evidence into care that supports older persons in maintaining their abilities and independence.
Participation in TranSMeC 2026 offered Dr Nur Balqis the opportunity to share her research and gain fresh perspectives on pathways towards healthy ageing through the conference’s seminars and discussions. This achievement reflects the DrPH programme’s emphasis on research that addresses national public health priorities and translates evidence into practice.
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