Health 10

Quarter 2 – Module 1:
Health Trends, Issues and
Concern in the National Level

This module was designed and written for the learners. After going through this
module, the learner is expected to:

 discuss the existing health related laws [H10HC-lla-1 /Week 1]

 explain the significance of the existing health-related laws in

safeguarding people’s health [H10HC-llb-2/Week 2]

 critically analyze the impact of current health trends, issues, and

concerns;
and (10HC-IIc-d-4/Weeks 2-3)
 recommend ways of managing health issues, trends and concerns.
(H10HCIIeg-5/Weeks 4-5)
Health Related Laws in the Philippines
Health related laws focusses on common concerns, trends and issues of
adolescents in the country. It helps you familiarize and learning how these
policies can protect you in safeguarding your health.
To safeguard people’s health is the main objective of the health-related
laws. It is important to be aware, and knowledgeable because these policies
embodied your rights as a citizen of the country.
The RA no.7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines emphasis the
consumer protection and proper exercise of rights from health hazards,
deceptive, unfair and any unlawful sales act and practices.
The RA no.8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act
[TAMA] aims to advocate traditional medicine and the production of alternative
medicines from certain herbs proven safe, effective, and affordable.
The RA no.10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Act provides universal access to methods on contraception, fertility
control, sexual education, and maternal care. Informed choice, respect for life,
birth control, and responsible parenthood are the four pillars of this Act.
The RA no.8504 or the Philippines AIDS Prevention and Control Act
is created to promote public awareness about the causes, modes of
transmissions, consequences, means of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS
through comprehensive educational information and campaigns.

What is It?
What is Health-Related Law? What is the importance of health-related law?
Is the area of law concerned with the health of individuals and
populations, the provision of health care and the operation of the health
care system.
Health-related law used to formalize commitment to goals, such as the goal to
the universal health coverage, and to enable cooperation and achieve health
goals. Our government works with various institutions to address pressing
issues and concerns which safeguard people from any fraudulent product and
services; adopt healthcare, and alternatives; enlighten on reproductive health;
and prevent/control AIDS from spreading. Thus, it is important to be
knowledgeable with the policies that embody our rights as citizens of the
country.
Health Related Act in the Philippines
I. RA No.7394 also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines
• This Act stated the regulation of product and services being sold and offered
in the country. It has three main objectives:
a. Protect the interest of the consumer,
b. Promote general welfare, and
c. Establish standard of conduct for business and industry.

II. RA No.8423 also known as Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act [TAMA]
• This Act stated that there are more than 2000 available medicinal plants
where in some were scientifically proven in the country.
• This Act stated the regulation on the improvement of quality and delivery of
health care services in the country.
• Likewise, it strengthened the establishment of Philippine Institute of
Traditional and Alternative Health Care. [PITAHC]

III. RA No.10354 also known as responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act
• Reproductive health is defined as a state of physical, mental and social well-
being in all matters relating to the reproductive system, at all stages of life.
This Act stated the regulation on maternal and child healthcare, family
planning, responsible parenthood, and reproductive health embodying four
pillars namely:
a. Informed choice -effective and quality reproductive healthcare services,
which ethically and medically safe, legal, accessible and affordable
b. Respect for life-recognizes that abortion is illegal and punishable by law.
c. Birth control-a provisions that the government must respect the
individual preferences and choices of family planning method.
d. Responsible parenthood- equip parents with needed information in all
aspect of family life and reproductive health.
• It also concerns on the eradication on sexually transmitted disease and other
sex-related diseases, particularly AIDS.

IV. RA No.8504 or the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act

• The Act promulgate” policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and
control of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.
• Policies and prescribing measures for the control and prevention of AIDS in
the Philippines,
• Instituting information and educational programs,
• Establishing HIV/AIDS monitoring system,
• Strengthening the Philippines National AIDS Council [PNAC] and Information
disseminations in safe practice and procedure and antidiscriminatory acts.

Health- Related Laws in the Philippines: Its Impact

Nowadays, our main priority should be our health. It is the foundation upon
which we build our lives. With the absence of good health, it may be very difficult for
us to do the things we want to do and enjoy our lives to the fullest. As citizens of the
Philippines, we all embody our rights and responsibilities. We have rights to be
practiced and responsibilities that needs to be performed. It is our responsibility to
protect ourselves at all times and be mindful about others health as well. It is also
important that we know our rights; we have the right to live without fear,
discrimination and away from fraudulent people.
Furthermore, we need to be aware of the existing health trends, issues and concerns
in our country and to the laws and policies passed for it. We have to analyze its impact
and significance in our lives so we can recommend ways to handle and manage these
health trends, issues and concerns.

What is It?
Substance abuse refers to the harmful and excessive use or intake of illicit drugs, alcohol
and tobacco. Psychoactive drugs may lead to different physical, mental, social and
psychological conditions.

The Republic Act No. 9165 or also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
is a policy in the Philippines that ensures and safeguards the physical or mental well-
being of its citizens most particularly the youth from the harmful and hazardous
effects of illegal drugs. This policy prohibits the following:
• Any act of introducing any illegal drug to an individual’s body in any form, with or
without his/her knowledge.
• Selling, manufacturing, distribution or transporting of dangerous drugs.
• Any act of planting or growing of plants that may be a source of a dangerous drug.
• Any act of delivering a dangerous drug to an individual, with or without his/her
knowledge and by any means.
• Any place that the production of dangerous drug may be administered, stored, or
delivered.
Meanwhile, Alcohol and Tobacco are considered gateway drugs. These can be pathways
to unprotected sex and pre-marital sex. Alcohol is a substance that contains ethanol.
Alcohol is a depressant drug that can slows down the functioning of our brain and
may result to mental health issues in the long run.
Republic Act No. 10586 or an Act Penalizing Persons Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol,
Dangerous Drugs, and Similar Substances was also enacted to punish drunk and drugged
drivers.

On the other hand, smoking of cigarette is prohibited in both indoor or outdoor public
places such as government offices, health facilities, public markets, parks, and malls
as well as on the different public transportations.

This is based on the Republic Act No. 9211, also known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of
2003. The act also disallows the advertisement of tobacco products and prevents the
sale of these to minors.

Social Health is also a factor that can enhance the individual’s quality of life, most
especially for adolescents like you who are on developmental stage. Social
Health pertains on how we interact to others and it shows good effects on our physical
and mental or psychological health.

POLICIES TO PROTECT THE SOCIAL HEALTH

1. RA no. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
Due to the rapid rise of information and communications technology, the country
quickly responded in ensuring the safety of its people to different forms of cybercrime.
Cybercrime are crimes committed on the cyberspace. This act forbids cybersex, child
pornography, and any form of theft, including identity theft with the use of the
computer.

2. RA no. 9775 or the Anti- Child Pornography Act of 2009

This act protects children from any form of exploitation and abuse using the
cyberspace. It prohibits the use of children in exploring sexual activities, actual or
simulated and use of their images, digitally or by any means.

3. RA no. 7719 or the National Blood Services Act of 1994

This act refers to the voluntary donation of blood by the citizens of the Philippines and
help the country to have adequate, safe and affordable distribution of blood and blood
products among its people. Aside from protecting the people from different kinds of
health fraud and cybercrime, Environmental safety is also valuable. Environmental
Safety pertains to ensuring the safety of one’s well- being in its area or workplace while
protecting the environment from degradation such as destruction of the ecosystem,
depletion of resources and pollution.
The Republic Act No. 9512 or the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008
has passed to promote environmental awareness by including environmental
education to the curriculum.
In addition, Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act was
also passed to manage programs and issue regulations to achieve clean air for
Filipinos.

The two consecutive years of 2019 and 2020 have been very challenging for many due
to the proliferation of COVID-19. COVID-19 is the newly discovered strain of
coronavirus. Most of the people who have been infected by the virus are experiencing
mild to moderate respiratory illness and need little to no special treatment while some
of the patients who are already suffering from other diseases like diabetes,
cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer are more probably to
experience serious illness. It was considered pandemic by the World Health
Organization last March 2020. This pandemic affects the lives of many people all
around the world; from public health, food systems to the world of
work as well. Hence, the Philippines is still trying its best to end this health crisis. To
help the Filipino people during this time of pandemic, the Philippine government
passed an act called RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. This act enacted to
declare a state of national emergency to the entire country and grant the President
further authority to combat the spread of the disease. Some of the important purpose
of this act is to help deserving families through financial assistance and to
continuously trace, test, isolate and treat infected individuals to alleviate the
transmission of the disease and prevent further loss of lives.

Suggested Ways or Protocols on How to Prevent the Transmission of COVID 19:

• Stay at home as much as you can.
• Wash your hands often with a soap or a hand sanitizer/ alcohol.
• Maintain a safe distance from anyone when you are outside.
• Take vitamins to boost your immune system.
• Wear mask and face shield whenever you go outside.
• Prevent from touching your face most importantly your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Prevent from joining or participating to any mass gathering.
• Stay at home when you feel sick and seek medical assistance.
• Always observe heath protocols at all times.