Health and Lifestyle

Get vaccinated vs. measles, DOH tells public

Get vaccinated vs. measles, DOH tells public

February 7, 2019, 7:23 pm

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III appeals to parents to have their children vaccinated against measles to avoid contracting and spreading the disease. (Photo by Ma. Teresa Montemayor) MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday urged the public to have their children vaccinated… Read More

DOH confirms measles outbreak in NCR

DOH confirms measles outbreak in NCR

February 6, 2019, 9:15 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday confirmed a measles outbreak in the National Capital Region (NCR). "Yes, this afternoon, (Health) Secretary (Francisco) Duque officially declared the outbreak in the National Capital Region after seeing the numbers and as of February 2, we had… Read More

DOH warns public against flu

DOH warns public against flu

February 5, 2019, 1:20 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday urged the public to take extra precaution to avoid contracting and spreading the flu virus during the peak months of the flu season.“Binabantayan natin kung ano iyong strain at talagang by middle of the year nagbabakuna na tayo. Sa Pilipinas… Read More

Not yet safe to swim in Manila Bay: DOH

Not yet safe to swim in Manila Bay: DOH

February 4, 2019, 7:05 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday warned the public against swimming in Manila Bay. In a statement, the DOH said it supports the government's recent rehabilitation efforts of the bay. However, it advised the public to wait until the bay's water is deemed safe for recreational… Read More

Smoking can cause almost 20 cancers

Smoking can cause almost 20 cancers

February 3, 2019, 6:29 pm

MANILA -- No matter how you take tobacco into your body — through smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke — it affects not only your lungs but also your entire body.Emer Rojas, a victim of tobacco and president of cancer support group New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) said smoking… Read More

Overcoming thyroid gland diseases

Overcoming thyroid gland diseases

January 31, 2019, 8:43 pm

MANILA -- Maricel Galang, 43, has been battling goiter since she was a teenager. While the disease kept her from doing certain physical activities, it did not keep her from pursuing her passion -- singing in their church's worship team and caring for her family. "Nalaman ko na mayroon ako nito… Read More

Curbing schistosomiasis thru deworming

Curbing schistosomiasis thru deworming

January 31, 2019, 6:49 pm

MANILA -- No appetite and sluggish -- this is how Lilibeth Mosende described her four-year-old niece, Hazel, a year ago when she had schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms. "Naalagaan ko siya noon sa probinsiya, lagi masakit ang tiyan niya at… Read More

Climate-friendly diets also healthier: study

Climate-friendly diets also healthier: study

January 31, 2019, 5:23 pm

CHICAGO -- After examining the carbon footprint of what more than 16,000 Americans eat in a day, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan (UM) and Tulane University shows that more climate-friendly diets are also healthier. The researchers ranked diets by the amount of… Read More

Sleep deprivation accelerated Alzheimer's brain damage: study

Sleep deprivation accelerated Alzheimer's brain damage: study

January 29, 2019, 3:41 pm

CHICAGO -- Studying mice and people, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that sleep deprivation increases levels of the key Alzheimer's protein tau, and sleeplessness accelerates the spread through the brain of toxic clumps of tau, a harbinger of brain… Read More

Scientists develop new drug to halt cancer cells' growth

Scientists develop new drug to halt cancer cells' growth

January 25, 2019, 9:23 pm

LOS ANGELES -- Scientists have developed a new drug that shows potential to halt cancer cells' growth by stunting the cells' biological clock. The findings from scientists at the US University of Southern California (USC) Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience and Nagoya University's Institute… Read More

SoKor gov't, UNICEF PH launch nutrition, health program

SoKor gov't, UNICEF PH launch nutrition, health program

January 24, 2019, 9:49 pm

UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander (center) says nutrition and health interventions at the local level are key in reaching every vulnerable mother and child especially those who do not have access to essential services. (Photo courtesy of UNICEF Philippines)MANILA -- The South… Read More

DOH allays fears over suspected meningo case in Manila

DOH allays fears over suspected meningo case in Manila

January 23, 2019, 5:26 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday allayed fears of the public over the suspected meningococcemia case at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC) in Manila. "Iyong ginagawa nilang pag-sterilize, iyan ay bahagi ng protocol natin kung mayroong suspected na case… Read More

One can’t get HIV from eating fish: DOH chief

One can’t get HIV from eating fish: DOH chief

January 23, 2019, 4:30 pm

MANILA -- Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday said one cannot be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by eating fish from supposedly contaminated waters. Duque made this remark in response to social media posts warning the public against buying and… Read More

Mental health services now accessible in barangays

Mental health services now accessible in barangays

January 23, 2019, 3:01 pm

MANILA -- Filipinos may now have access to basic mental health services at the community level with the signing of implementing rules and regulations of the mental health law. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III signed on Tuesday the IRR of Republic Act 11036 (Mental Health… Read More

How to prevent, control diabetes

How to prevent, control diabetes

January 23, 2019, 1:08 pm

MANILA -- Making healthy choices in diet and lifestyle is key if you are looking to prevent or control diabetes, a disease that affects millions of Filipinos. Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) last year, Germelina Cruz, 77, made changes to her eating habits to ensure that she's not… Read More

Study offers new hope for stem cell approach to treating diabetes

Study offers new hope for stem cell approach to treating diabetes

January 21, 2019, 6:06 pm

CHICAGO -- By tweaking the recipe for coaxing human stem cells into insulin-secreting beta cells, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that the resulting cells are more responsive to fluctuating glucose levels in the blood. For the study, the researchers grew… Read More

DOH, PSH launch program to curb hypertension prevalence

DOH, PSH launch program to curb hypertension prevalence

January 12, 2019, 1:40 pm

TAGAYTAY CITY, Cavite – The Department of Health (DOH) has partnered with the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) for a joint project initiative aimed at addressing the increasing prevalence of hypertension and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Cavite province. The program, Cardiovascular… Read More

Duque lauds Duterte’s approval of higher alcohol, cigar taxes

Duque lauds Duterte’s approval of higher alcohol, cigar taxes

January 12, 2019, 10:35 am

MANILA -- Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of higher excise taxes for alcohol and tobacco products. “We are happy with the support President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has given to our proposal to increase excise taxes to at least PHP60 from the… Read More

Supply of antiretroviral drugs for HIV adequate: DOH

Supply of antiretroviral drugs for HIV adequate: DOH

January 11, 2019, 8:39 pm

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) has assured there is enough treatment for Filipinos with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) amid rumors of anti-retroviral (ARV) drug shortage nationwide. In a statement released on Friday, the DOH said it seriously takes the HIV issue that is why the… Read More

Childhood abuse increases risk of suicide in adulthood

Childhood abuse increases risk of suicide in adulthood

January 10, 2019, 12:05 pm

LONDON -- Adults, who as children, experienced physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect are at least two to three times more likely to attempt suicide in later life, the largest research review ever carried out on the topic revealed Wednesday. Psychologists at the University of Manchester… Read More