Friday, September 22, 2006 Have a heart: Live healthy
THE Philippine Heart Association (PHA) urged Filipinos to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle to end cardiovascular diseases, one of the world's largest killers. The disease claims 17.5 million lives every year.
As the world is set to mark World Heart Day on September 24, local cardiologists joined hands with various stakeholders in the health sector, including the Heart Foundation of the Philippines, Department of Health, World Heart Federation, World Health Organization, Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity, Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases, and Healthy Lifestyle Coalition to promote living right and caring for one's heart.
This year's theme - "How Young is Your Heart" - is anchored on the premise that it is high time to eliminate risks of cardiovascular diseases through the promotion of preventive measures.
Senator Pilar Juliana "Pia" Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate committee on health and environment, said one of her greatest advocacies is to promote a healthy lifestyle for Filipinos as it is more effective, cheaper and more fun than remedial medicine.
PHA president Dr. Cesar S. Recto said in the Philippines, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains as the top cause of mortality and morbidity as most Filipinos display at least one of the risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.
What is more alarming is that all of the factors may have been prevented at an early stage through a balanced diet, which includes antioxidants that can help the body repair damage caused by free radicals in its system; proper exercise; and a healthier way of life.
Taguig City, PHA partner city in this year's celebration of World Heart Day and represented by City Health Officer Dr. Rolando Paac, said that the city drive is similar to the thrust of the PHA's advocacy for a healthier populace free from CVD and other non-communicable diseases.
Paac said they actively espouse a healthier lifestyle, energetic health care for workers and accessible health services; initiate reforms on basic health services; and sincere commitment to its constituents.
Cayetano, a staunch supporter of the government's health programs, called on different medical associations to actively implement programs that would not only increase awareness but mobilize people into action.
She said the public must be shown commitment and willingness on the part of the medical groups that they want to help as she urged the PHA to make health services better and more accessible to the public to encourage better participation in health programs of the government and the private sector.
Meanwhile, a symposium will be held for health workers in Taguig at the Megatrade Hall of Market Market shopping mall while a caravan will be held on Sunday at 7 a.m. before a set of activities like exhibits, risk factor and screening services, CPR demo and workshop and slogan contest, kick off at the NBC Tent in The Fort.
A short program featuring representatives from various stakeholders will also be present along with fitness advocate and TV personality Jackie Lou Blanco. (MSN/Sunnex)
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