DOH-6 hosts summit on healthy lifestyle

SOME 180 participants from various government agencies, local government units, hospitals, academe, and private organizations in Western Visayas joined the “Healthy Lifestyle Summit” organized by the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-6.

Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, DOH-6 Medical Officer III, said the four-day event, which kicked off July 16, 2019 at Punta Villa Resort and Convention Center here, aims to provide updates on lifestyle-related diseases programs.

“The Philippine Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases 2015-2025 was developed to reduce the burden of preventable and premature deaths due to non-communicable diseases,” she said.

She said the vision of the plan is to have an improved quality of life for all Filipinos and to reduce mortality, morbidity, and disability.

In the Philippines, non-communicable diseases (NCD) remain to be top leading causes of death.

According to national data, heart disease and cancer are the top two causes of death in the country, and majority of which is caused by lifestyle factors.

Sta. Lucia said there is a need to emphasize prevention and reduce these premature deaths.

“Premature deaths refer to deaths occurring between the age bracket 30 to 70 years old, when Filipinos are still considered productive,” she said.

She added that it may seem ironic that although these chronic lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases are top killers, programs for prevention of such are not given much priority.

Meanwhile, the Healthy Lifestyle Summit also showcased LGUs, offices, and hospitals with best principles in implementing NCD services and presented latest DOH issuances. (PIA)