THE Department of Health has advised all Filipinos Monday on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and influenza in light of the upcoming Christmas holidays.

“During this time, lahat tayo ang hilig natin kumain nang mas marami and lahat din naman tayo dahil nasa kultura ng Filipino naghahain ng masasarap katulad ng lechon, katulad ng iba’t-ibang mga pagkain na minsan ay nakakaapekto sa ating kalusugan,” DOH  officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a media forum. 

“Atin lang pong pinaalalahanan ang ating mga kababayan, this can lead to non-communicable diseases,” she said.

According to Vergeire, during December, January, and February the health department sees higher cases of NCDs including high-blood pressure attacks, heart attacks, and strokes. The increase in these cases is due to the “activities that we have during Christmas,” she noted.

The National Nutrition Council said in 2021 that along with being the leading cause of death in the Philippines, cardiovascular disorders also claim 50,000 lives in the country annually. Compared to populations in other nations, such as the US, the Filipino population has a higher chance of dying from cardiovascular diseases, it said.

Vergeire likewise said that Filipinos should “take things moderately”, especially when eating food that is not part of the proper diet to prevent these NCDs from happening.

During Christmas, Vergeire also noted that along with NCDs, cases of influenza are also rising due to extreme weather changes. The health department’s OIC, however, advised that Filipinos can ward off these diseases by following minimum public health standards, wearing face masks, and hand washing.

Photo Credit: DOH