BAGUIO CITY – Frequency of various factors continue to exert a significant burden on individuals, families, communities, the Philippine economy on existing health care systems, underscoring the need for broad-ranging actions in addressing these.
Providing such an indication is the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which reported that six circumstances reflect an interplay fueling the epidemic of chronic disease in the country and exacerbating these Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) particularly among vulnerable populations.
Prevalence of NCDs reflex a complex meshing of socio-economic, environmental and genetic factors.
Urbanization, industrialization, changing dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, tobacco use and alcohol consumption are among the key drivers fueling the epidemic of chronic diseases in the country.
PSA explained chronic or constantly recurring diseases bring about a Herculean and multiplex country- health threat, accounting for a horrendous 68% of all deaths. The diseases that kill more Filipinos might surprise you. They are called Non-Communicable Diseases.
Eclipsing the unimaginable loss of life, the economic end-results of NCD can be deep as these impose economic burden on individuals, families and immediate communities.
These PSA identified factors are urbanization, industrialization, changing dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption and tobacco use. They exacerbate the socio-economic, environmental, behavioral and genetic factors that play a role in increasing NCD prevalence.
NCDs are diseases spurred by impacts of unhealthy lifestyles like tobacco use, alcohol, unhealthy diets or physical inactivity, DOH-CAR said.
Chronic diseases identified by PSA are diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and kidney disease.
In Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), of the fifteen NCDs, cancer ranked second, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart disease in layman’s term is ranked seven, coronary disease (respiratory) is ranked eight, hypertension is ranked ten, diabetes is ranked twelve and alcohol use is ranked fourteen, according to the Department of Health (DOH-CAR).
In 2020, DOH-CAR reported that hypertension (NCD) was the leading cause of illness in the highland region, followed by urinary tract infection and acute respiratory infection (communicable).
In its “Situational Analysis and Priority Setting of Non Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Program,” DOH-CAR explained all age groups are affected particularly older age grouping but is also becoming prevalent in the young age bracket.
“All age groups and all regions are affected by NCDs. NCDs are often associated with older age groups, but recent study shows that NCDs are becoming prevalent in younger generations. Presently, children, adults and the elderly are all vulnerable to the risk factors that contribute to non-communicable diseases, whether from unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco smoke or the effects of the harmful use of alcohol,” the DOH-CAR analysis stated.
“These diseases are driven by forces that include aging, rapid unplanned urbanization and the globalization of unhealthy lifestyle. Unhealthy diets may show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, increased blood glucose, elevated blood lipids and obesity. These are called intermediate risk factors which can lead to cardiovascular disease,” the DOH-CAR analysis further went to say.
In CAR, DOH-CAR grappled with the problem by undertaking direction to abate risk factors linked with NCDs chiefly on the so-called “modifiable risk factors” essential for NCDs actions that can be conveyed through primary health-care approach to reinforce early detection and prompt treatment.
DOH-CAR applies the “Go 4 Health” program on healthy lifestyle on Go Smoke Free, Go Sustansya, Go Sigla and Go Slow sa Tagay. (top non communicable diseases in CAR).
In recent years, the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention and Control Program of DOH “has achieved a significant milestone in addressing problems in public health specifically in lifestyle related diseases,” the situational analysis stated.
“One of the most notable innovations is the implementation of the integrated approach to reduce mortality, morbidity and disability from NCDs. This is done through the promotion of a healthy lifestyle focused in addressing the common risk factors leading to NCDs,” the analysis further stated.
NCDs are considered a major public health problem worldwide. Other common NCDs in the Philippines, aside from those stated here earlier, include malignant neoplasm, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases particularly pneumonia and tuberculosis.
NCD risk factors are not only prevalent among Filipino adults. Markedly, many Filipino children are getting overweight, the DOH-CAR analysis stated while several studies have pointed out, too, that obese children have the predisposition to remain obese even after reaching adulthood.
In the case of teenagers, DOH-CAR took note that 22 percent of the young currently smoke, 30 per cent physically inactive by spending three or more hours per day sitting, watching TV, playing computer, talking with friends or doing similar sitting activities, as found out by the Philippine Global Youth Survey.
As to the realm of socio-economic impact of NCDs, DOH-CAR analyzed these “threaten progress towards the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals and post 2015 development agenda. Rapid rise in NCDs is predicted to impede poverty reduction initiatives, particularly by increasing household costs associated with health care.”
DOH CAR went on to further elaborate in their analysis report that: “Vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner than people of higher social positions, especially as they are of greater risk of being exposed to harmful products, such as tobacco or unhealthy food and have limited access to health services.”
“In low-resource settings, health-care costs for cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes or chronic lung diseases can quickly drain household resources, driving families into poverty. The exorbitant costs of NCDs, including often lengthy and expensive treatment and loss of breadwinners are forcing people into poverty annually, stifling development,” the health report further stated.
“While high income groups can access services and products that protect them from the greatest risks, lower income groups can often not afford such products and services,” the DOH-CAR analysis further added.
In Cordillera, DOH-CAR said it has taken steps to lessen risk factors associated with NCDs, interventions that can be delivered through a primary-health care approach to strengthen early detection and timely treatment.
On tobacco use, while smoking prevalence in CAR has slid by 25.4 per cent, DOH-CAR continues to strengthen monitoring of its Red Orchid Awards that encourage Local Government Units (LGU), other government agencies, the private sector and individuals to participate and implement a 100 per cent smoke-free environment.
At the same time, DOH-CAR continuously incorporates smoking cessation as one of its training programs for all healthcare workers in the region.
On an unhealthy diet, DOH-CAR continues to discourage entry and sale of soft drinks and junk foods in school campuses, levelling up advocacy on proper nutrition, cessation of alcohol use and encouraging regular intake of low fat, low sodium and high fiber diets.
On physical activity, DOH-CAR commenced the “Be Healthy, Hataw Na” for 7 to 12 years old children in Baguio City, to encourage them on adopting physical fitness exercises, hataw for government employees while encouraging morning exercises for those in schools, government offices and others, as well.
DOH-CAR also encourages putting into effect healthy public policies that promote NCD prevention and control for government, non-government institutions, LGUs and private entities that strengthen the department’s 100 per cent smoke-free environment vision.
Addressing NCDs root causes and discharging a comprehensive approach that zero in on health promotion, disease prevention and equitable access to health care are critical to impeding chronic disease epidemic in the country.
Yet, significant challenges continue to bridle government action in the scope of resource constraints, gaps in healthcare infrastructure and the need for sustained political will and commitment to bring to the fore NCD prevention and control.
To beat NCD, it needs urgent action. It cannot be done by the government alone. It requires engagement at various levels and from all relevant stakeholders.
It is essential for the development of a concerted effort – from government agencies, civil society organizations, health care providers and the private sector – to evolve in addressing the complex landscape of chronic diseases in all regions in the Philippines.
The six circumstances reported by PSA with increasing prevalence are diabetes mellitus seen as a growing concern; hypertension and tagged the silent threat; heart disease and a leading cause of death; cancer, seen as battling the multifaceted menace; respiratory diseases and picked out as breathing the challenge, and; kidney disease, noticed as the silent epidemic.
In conclusion, the burden of these diseases extends far beyond the realm of healthcare, impacting economic productivity, social, family cohesion and overall quality of life. It represents a formidable challenge to public health.
The good news is, many of these factors – unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol – are avoidable.
Overall, concerned officials in government and the DOH hold the view that political will and collective action are crucial to confronting NCDs and helping pave the way for a sustainable opportunity for Filipinos to live longer lives and thus play an active role in the nation’s development.
As the clarion call echoes loudly that “It’s time for action to stop the deadliest diseases in the Philippines!”
