GLOBAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE FELLOWSHIP CONCEPT OF HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN PHILIPPINES VILLAROSA AND VILLANUEVA Philippines is rich

in people. Enormously, we are almost 94 million in population making us the 14th country to be having the greatest number of individuals in 2012. Truly, by these large inhabitants lie varied health concerns of different Filipino age groups. Examples of the Philippines community health programs provided by the Department of Health and Red Cross and non-governmental agencies to address health promotion, prevention of disease, and rehabilitation for infants, children and elders are the following: For the babies and their mothers, a program called, Breastfeeding TSEK: (Tama, Sapat, Eksklusibo), has been made with its primary target to campaign for the new and expectant mothers in urban areas. This encourages mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies from birth up to 6 months. Exclusive breastfeeding means that for the first six months from birth, nothing except breast milk will be given to babies. Another public-conducted project for the young ones is Department of Healths Adolescents Youth and Heath Development Programs . The program is targeting youth ages 1024, and it provides comprehensive implementation guidelines for youthfriendly comprehensive health care and services on multiple levelsnational, regional, provincial/city, and municipal. The program is solidly achored on International laws, passages and policies meant to address adolescents health concerns.

Department of Health as well implemets elderly-focused scheme which is named as Health Development Program for Older Persons. Cognizant of its mandate and crucial

role, the said branch formulated the Health Care Program for Older Persons (HCPOP) in 1998. The DOH HCPOP (presently renamed Health Development Program for Older Persons) sets the policies, standards and guidelines for local governments to implement the program in collaboration with other government agencies, non-government organizations and the private sector. Furthermore, Expanded Garantisadong Pambata is one more project

concentrated to children. Unlike to the previous one, this is sponsored collaboratively by both private and public agencies. Comprehensive and integrated package of services and communication on health, nutrition and environment for children available everyday at various settings such as home, school, health facilities and communities (Department of Health, 2011). Red Cross Community Health and Nursing Services. Training has always been an important function of an organization. For this reason, the Community Health and Nursing Services reaches out to its constituents through basic health care by providing access of health services among affected/ vulnerable groups by utilizing intensive trainings as its main strategy in the implementation of its community programs (Philippine Red Cross, 2011).

DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES AND THEIR COMMON HEALTH ISSUES INFANCY Infancy is generally the period from birth until age two years. It is a time of a lot of growth and change for children and families.

CONCERNS FOR HEALTH PROMOTION

In the Philippines milk advertisements, the tagline, breastmilk is the best for babies up to years is a popular one. Absolutely, nothing can substitute a mothers naturally-made milk. In fact, public hospitals are strictly prohibiting post-partum women from using formula/ commercialized artificial milk for their babies. Breastfeeding, also called nursing, is often the ideal source of nutrition for newborns. There are numerous reasons why breasfeeding is advised to be done by lactating mothers: children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies; the varying composition of breastmilk keeps pace with the infant's individual growth and changing nutritional needs; have fewer incidences of vomiting and diarrhea; protection against gastroenteritis, necrotizing entercolitis; reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets; reduced risk of childhood diabetes; protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning); protection against allergies, asthma,

eczema, and severity of allergic disease; reduced risk of SIDS; protection against meningitis, botulism, childhood lymphoma, crohn's disease and ulcerative entercolits; decreased risk of tooth decay; nursing promotes facial structure development, enhanced speech, straighter teeth and enhances vision and etc. Mothers do benefit from breastfeeding too. Here are the following: reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers; reduced risk of anemia; protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life; reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation; helps their body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster - promotes weight loss (1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores and can burn from 500 -

1,500 calories per day); helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies; develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with their child; eliminates the cost of formula; breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family in Doctor office visits, prescriptions, over the counter medicine purchases, and hospitalizations and etc (Professional Breastfeeding Consultation, 2010).

INFANTS MORTALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES In 2006, Department of Health revealed the top five leading causes of infants death in the Philippines. First on the list is bacterial sepsis of newborn case which comprised 15.1 percent of the total 1000 live births. This is seconded by respiratory distress cases which enveloped 11.1 percent of the said deliveries. Pneumonia, disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight and congenital Pneumonia were the other ones that contributed to the death grounds of the mentioned developmental stage.

MEASURES OF PREVENTING DISEASES THROUGH VACCINATION It is mandatory for all post-partum women to have their babies undergo routine Immunization Schedule. City health offices and public hospitals are providing free acqusition of these. There are five commonly-given vaccinations: Firstly, Bacillus Calmette Guerin is administered at birth or anytime after birth. It is given for the purpose of protecting the infants from the possibility of acquring TB meningitis and other TB infections in which they are prone to have.

Secondly is the DPT or Diptheria-Pertussis-Tetanus vaccine which is provided to a three week-old baby. This one reduces the chance of infant of being infected by pertussis. Thirdly is the OPV, the only one with an oral route of administration. OPV or Oral Polio Vaccine increases the infants protection against the polio viral disease. It is given if the baby is already on his/her 6th week of age. Fourthly is Hepatits B vaccine. It is meant for reducing the infants chance of being infected and becoming a carrier of Hepa B virus. It too prevents liver cirrhosis and liver cancer which are more likely to develop if infected with Hepatitis B early in life. Same as with the OPV, this is also prescribed to be undertaken during the infants sixth week of living. Lastly is the measles vaccine. It is recommended to a nine-month old baby which prevents 85% of measles infection (Expanded Program on Immunization in the Philippines, 2010).

TODDLER TO PRE-ADOLESCENCE Toddler (1 3 years) Play age (45 years) Primary school age (also called prepubescence) (4-12 years old) Elementary school age (also called middle childhood) (4-9 years old) Pre-adolescence (preteen, or late childhood) (10-12 years old)

CHILDS MORTALITY RATE IN THE PHILIPPINES Child mortality have declined steadily over the last 15 years, according to the 2008 PDHS (Philippine Demographis Survey). Nationwide, 25 children per 1,000 live births die before reaching age one, down from 35 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1998 and 29 in 2003. Mortality rates differ widely by residence and birth intervals. Rural children face a higher risk of death than urban children. Children born less than two years after a previous birth have particularly high infant mortality rates35 deaths per 1,000 live births compared with 18 deaths per 1,000 live births for infants born three years after the previous birth.

MATERNAL STATUS IMPACTS THE CHILD Almost one in three births (30 percent) are born less than two years after a previous birth, increasing risks to child and maternal health. Married women in the Philippines have, on average, 3.3 children. This represents a modest decrease over the past decade from 3.7 children in 1998 and 3.5 children in 2003. Some women are still having very large families, however. The poorest women in the Philippines have at least 5 children, on average, compared to only about 2 children among the wealthiest women (Demographic and Health Survey, 2008).

PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASES INVASION TO FILIPINO CHILDREN According to the WHO (World Health Organization), up to 1 million children under the age of five die from pneumococcal disease every year. Pneumococcal disease

includes serious, invasive diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia and blood infection (bacteraemia), to less severe, but highly prevalent diseases, such as otitis media (middle ear infection), sinusitis and bronchitis. This is true to other Asia Pacific Regions.

CHILD MALNUTRITION Child malnutrition still remains as one of the biggest problems that constrain school children from attending or performing well in school. Based on a Department of Education analysis of 50 public primary or elementary schools in some of the most impoverished provinces in the country, an average of up to 30 percent or almost one-third of the students weighed and interviewed were either mildly or severely malnourished. This echoes a World Health Organization report that over 30 percent of children in the country are malnourished. The Oh My Gulay Foundation (OMG) was established to develop and implement awareness campaigns and programs towards combating malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies through vegetable cultivation and promoting the integration of vegetables in the regular diet. ADOLESCENTS Adolescents young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years are often thought of as a healthy group. CAUSES OF ADOLESCENTS DEATH Many adolescents do die prematurely due to accidents, suicide, violence, pregnancy related complications and other illnesses that are either preventable or treatable. Many more suffer chronic ill-health and disability. In addition, many serious

diseases in adulthood have their roots in adolescence. For example, tobacco use, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, poor eating and exercise habits, lead to illness or premature death later in life (World Health Organization, 2012). EARLY PREGNANCY AFFECTS MATERNAL AND CHILDS HEALTH AND NON-USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES It is revealed that 3.6 million of our teenagers got pregnant. In 92 percent of these teens, the pregnancy was unplanned, and the majority, 78 percent, did not even use contraceptives the first time they had sex. Many of the youth are clueless that even on a single intercourse, they could wind up pregnant. (The National Demographic and Health Survey, 2009) Latest data from the National Statistics Office showed that of 1.7 million babies born in 2004, almost 8 percent were born to mothers aged 15-19. Almost 30 percent of Filipino women become mothers before reaching their 21st birthday. In 2000 alone, young mothers gave birth to 818,000 babies. This means that almost one of every 10 babies is born to a teenage mothers (De leon, 2008). Also, according to Kiko dela Tonga (2009) of Likhaan Foundation, a recent study by the Population Institute of the University of the Philippines showed that more than four million Filipinos aged 15-19 had already had sexual intercourse. More than half of these are from poor families who do not have knowledge about contraceptives and reproductive health. Two of every five teenage pregnancies are unwanted ones; more than 46 percent of young pregnant women resort to induced abortion. One of every four teenage mothers quit school to focus on child rearing or to find a job to help their families. (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2009).

ADVANCED ADULTHOOD/ SENIOR CITIZEN

OLD AGED IN THE PHILIPPINES In the Philippines, 6.8 million of the 90-million population are 60 years old and above. Most of them are still active and productive, performing significant roles at home and in the community. The countrys elderly population grew at a rte of 4.39 percent from 1995 to 2000 and the number reached over six million in 2011; it is seen to double in 16 years. The government is implementing elderly-friendly measures, embodied in Republic Act (RA) 7432, the Senior Citizens Act of 1992, and RA 7876, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which provide more benefits to senior citizens such as discounts in transport fees, food, cinemas, and medicines.

FILIPINO ELDERLY WEEK CELEBRATION We Filipinos are known to have close family ties. Elderlies are rarely sent to old aged homes for care because the family is the one that imposes an upkeep on them. Health is not just focused on the physical but as well as social and emotional aspects. In lieu with this, an October celebration for our beloved grandmothers and grandfathers is implemented. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) prepared series of activities dedicated to senior citizens in celebration of Elderly Filipino Week from October 1 to 7. "This significant role of older persons is echoed in this years theme

'Nakatatanda: Gabay, Tulay, Kaagapay at Bantay Tungo sa Kaunlaran.' It aims to bring to the publics attention the plight and needs of older persons. (Department of Social Welfare and Development, 2012). Elderly Filipino Week is celebrated every year in accordance with Proclamation No. 470 issued by former President Fidel Ramos. TOP TEN CAUSES OF ELDERLYS DEATH IN THE PHILIPPINES 1. Heart disease 2. Stroke 3. Cancer 4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases 5. Road accidents and injuries 6. Diabetes 7. Dengue fever 8. Maternal deaths 9. Kidney failure 10. Perinatal conditions

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