For the past decade,  Professor Subramaniam has worked in mental health research, and her research interest is in psychiatric epidemiology and qualitative studies, e.g. to establish the prevalence of dementia, its economic costs and burden of care, or to establish the mental health literacy and stigma towards mental illness (including dementia) of the Singapore adult population. Her main contribution to this interdisciplinary reflection on the societal aspects of dementia lies in providing an Asian perspective regarding the prevalence, help-seeking patterns and stigma associated with dementia, as well as a deeper understanding of caregivers' perspectives and needs when providing care to those with dementia.