Public reminded anew on healthy lifestyle

CEBU, Philippines - With the vast change of lifestyle brought by modernization, the Department of Health-7 appealed to the public to prioritize physical wellbeing as a way to prevent diseases of the heart and the circulatory system.

The DOH has emphasized this advocacy in view of the observance of Love Month this February.

 DOH-7 Non-communicable Diseases chief Dr. Jeanette Cortes said most of the deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases are premature.

 “Nagkabata ug nagkabata ang nangamatay karon tungod sa cardiovascular disease. Sa una makit-an nimo mga 50s or 60s, pero karon naay mga 40s or 30s,” Cortes said, during the Association of Government Information Officers forum on Tuesday.

 She also cited changes in human activities as a leading factor for heart and circulatory diseases.

 “Sa una, manung ka sa inyong silingan ug tabi pero karon wala na kay mag-text na lang mo, mag-chat nalang mo. These are the very basic things but very important things nga naka-lead sa atong mga sakit, nganong na-change man atong lifestyle? Tungod pud sa urbanization, globalization, technology,” she said.

 According to the Field Health Services Information System  annual reports for region-7, the number of deaths for diseases of heart and circulatory system in 2012 reached 5,092 and increased in 2013 with 5,788 cases.

 The projected population for Central Visayas in 2012 was estimated at 7,060,904, FHSIS noted.

 Cortes stressed that cardiovascular diseases are preventable by living a healthy lifestyle.

 “Balik balik ra tas atong mga pahimangno nga no smoking, no alcohol, pero these are the basic things that we tend to neglect, we tend to forget,” she said.

 Cortes said they are pushing for their advocacy to prevent heart diseases and other ailments that could be prevented if one practices a healthy lifestyle.

 DOH-7 Health and Lifestyle Program coordinator Malyn Fernandez tagged heart disease, diabetes, cancer and COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as the ‘big four’ of non-communicable diseases.

 Fernandez pointed out that the immediate risk factors of the four lifestyle-related diseases are physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol use and obesity.  (FREEMAN)