The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) was first carried out by the Ministry of Health Malaysia in 1986 and subsequently in ten-yearly intervals, ie in 1996 and 2006, to obtain local data on the nation’s population health. However, given the growing importance of ‘time-context’data to effectively respond to the healthcare needs in Malaysia, the NHMS is now carried out every year since 2011, with a regular four-yearly interval survey on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

The significance of the NHMS goes beyond providing upto-date epidemiological data on the key diseases and NCDs risk factors. An understanding of disease trends and their risk factors will supplement and aid the country in planning for the healthcare needs of the people in Malaysia. Thus, the information gained from the NHMS will unequivocally facilitate the process of benchmarking our progress towards global commitments and strategically prioritise our nation to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG).