in Task 1A: Exploratory Research: What, Why, Who, and How

Task 1A Exploratory Research: What, Why, Who & How

What are some of the current issues confronting our world today? Amongst them, what is of interest and a cause of concern to you?

  • fear of dying alone’

The ‘fear of dying alone’ has become a shared concern among elderly in Singapore. With an ageing population, there has been an increased number of cases of elderly dying alone in their homes. These cases were often only found out when neighbors reported the foul smells.

 

Article links:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/when-i-die-i-want-someone-to-know-fear-of-dying-alone-increases-
among-elderly-folk
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hoarder-found-dead-in-bedok-north-flat-amid-piles-of-rubbish
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/neighbours-grisly-discovery-cough-syrup-was-blood-trail
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/decomposed-body-of-68-year-old-man-found-in-punggol
-flat
  • Taiwan’s Political Struggle

With the 2020 Taiwan Presidential Elections, tensions between Taiwan and China have increased with the re-election of President Tsai who refutes the idea of “one country, two systems”. Hong Kongers have also expressed their support for Taiwan amidst the ongoing protest against China to unify both Taiwan and Hong Kong under People’s Republic of China.

 

Article links:
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-says-taiwan-policy-intact-despite-election-results
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/time-is-on-taiwans-side/2020/01/15/97d283ee-
3705-11ea-bb7b-265f4554af6d_story.html
https://www.ft.com/content/fe759902-35f1-11ea-a6d3-9a26f8c3cba4
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/15/taiwan-deserves-normal-country-tsai-election/
  • Bubble Tea and Health (Diabetes)

The ongoing fight against diabetes in Singapore has drawn attention of individuals especially so with almost half a million Singaporeans living with diabetes. The highly affordable and easily accessible bubble tea has become a serious concern due to its high but “under-radar” sugar levels, with some parents believing that such drinks are a healthier option compared to soft drinks due to the variety these stores provide.

 

Article links:
https://www.businessinsider.sg/brown-sugar-milk-tea-is-the-unhealthiest-bubble-tea-and-milk-foam-is-the
-worst-topping-singapore-hospital-warns/
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/bubble-tea-sugar-content-sweeter-than-coke-soda-11063316
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/moh-consults-public-banning-taxing-sugary-drinks-fight-
diabetes-10995882
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sugary-soft-drinks-effects-diabetes-weight-gain-11027204
?cid=h3_referral_inarticlelinks_24082018_cna
  • Wuhan’s Pneumonia

A newly evolved coronavirus has claimed a second life in China. The fear of many is that the virus belonging to the same family as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) could evolve and spread throughout the world and even cause several deaths. The virus is said to have originated from a Fish Market in Wuhan, China, but much remains unknown including how the virus is spread.

 

Article links:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/who-wuhan-pneumonia-virus-china-spread-warning-hospitals-1226
2254?cid=h3_referral_inarticlelinks_24082018_cna 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51141007
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/mystery-china-virus-patients-could-have-infected-family-mem
bers-officials

 

With relation to the local context and my age group, I am more interested in raising awareness regarding the contents of bubble tea and its relation to our fight against diabetes.

 

Why is the issue important? Who does it affect and how?

According to the International Diabetes Federation, Singapore has the second-highest proportion of diabetics among developed nations as reported in 2015. HealthHub, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board, estimates that by 2050, over 1,000,000 residents above 18 years old will be diabetic. One major source of diabetes is the consumption of unhealthy drinks such as the ever trendy Bubble Tea. These drinks are extremely high in sugar levels and yet many of us are unaware of the contents of these drinks and the consequences it may bring about.

 

It is worrisome that many students, teenagers and youths constantly queue for these drinks. Working adults have often jump on to the bandwagon as well with the increasing craze of new bubble tea such as the “foam bubble tea” that are even more detrimental to health compared to tapioca pearls. Parents even believe that fruit based drinks offered by bubble tea stores may be healthier alternatives. In recent years, there has even been news that over 100 bubble tea balls got stuck in a teen’s digestive tract. It is evident that bubble tea has now become a concern for one’s health, both short and long term.

 

Article links:
https://www.insider.com/can-you-digest-bubble-tea-boba-balls-2019-6
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/moh-consults-public-banning-taxing-sugary-drinks-fight-
diabetes-10995882
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sugary-soft-drinks-effects-diabetes-weight-gain-11027204
?cid=h3_referral_inarticlelinks_24082018_cna
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-is-no-2-nation-with-most-diabetics-5-things-about-diab
etes
https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/626/diabetes

 

Who do you need to communicate to, and why?

The target audience I intend to identify would be youths and teenagers (15 to 25 years old). Research has shown that this age group are the highest consumers of bubble tea. With the increase usage of social media and the ever creative food industry, bubble tea is no longer just a drink but an experienced to be shared via social media to other youths of their age. It is important to alert them of the effects at a young age in order to make informed decisions before buying bubble tea.

 

While many may feel resistant to the idea, they need to be aware of the effects such drinks may bring about and the harm it causes. Bubble tea can still be consumed but in moderation and advice youths and teenagers to make informed decision and choose healthier options of drinks and toppings with the customization feature of bubble tea.

 

Links:

https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/bubble-tea-market-report-2018-global-analysis-of-production-
sales-and-consumption-status-and-prospects-2023-2019-07-05
https://www.straitstimes.com/videos/consuming-singapore-the-obsession-with-bubble-tea

 

How has visual communication contributed to address the cause?

The Healthy Plate (Info graphic) created by the Health Promotion Board in 2014 to advice individuals the quantity and type of food to consume as well as other activities in order to have a healthy lifestyle. It uses simple graphics and items that are strongly related to each food section to make it easily relatable to individuals of all ages. The San Serif font makes it easy to read but the “brown rice & wholemeal bread” could likely be rearranged. Each title is accompanied with an image which makes it easier for people to remember. The message is clear and easy to follow even for children, allowing them to understand how to have a healthy diet.

Image link:
https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/55/my-healthy-plate

This info graphic was created by Fresh n’ Lean, an organisation that aims to make healthy eating simple, fun and flavorful. The info graphic provided a lot of useful information but my seem a little too wordy for individuals to read through. However, the use of complementary colours (Yellow and Blue) allows one to zoom quickly into the important areas highlighted. The info graphic clearly dissects the unhealthy contents within junk food while commenting on how these harmful substances are from or formed (Page 2 of Info graphic) of consuming such food as well. It uses examples that are highly relatable and the layout allows a clear flow of information that is easy to follow through. While using San Serif allows people to read easily, it still preserves the use of a more playful and energetic font as the heading.

Info graphic link:
https://www.freshnlean.com/junk-food/#

This info graphic clearly illustrates the consequences of consumption of junk food. Thereby showcasing the amount of effort required for an individual to burn off the calories from consuming such food. It has very little words and most are represented by images and icons that can easily be understood. I feel that it may not be as engaging as there is only one main colour used and the graphics does not appeal to me. Perhaps the info graphic could have brought in elements such as diseases since it is a long term consequence.

Image link:
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/12/14/14/2F5DCFD200000578-3359403-image-m-39_1450104102415.jpg
Featured Image Credits
Social: "fear of dying alone"
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hoarder-found-dead-in-bedok-north-flat-amid-piles-of-rubbish
Politics: TAIWAN'S INDEPENDENCE
https://cms.qz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/GettyImages-1193088972-e1578984120596.jpg?quality=75&stri
p=all&w=1900&h=1124
Lifestyle: boba and health
https://junandtonic.com/blog/2019/6/7/brown-sugar-bubble-tea-boba
Health: WUHAN'S PNEUMONIA
https://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_pictrure_780x520_/public/articles/2020/
01/15/ycwuhan150120.jpg?itok=t7MLJp49&timestamp=1579083901