JULY CALENDAR OF HEALTH EVENTS

I. NUTRITION MONTH

Basic Facts:
1. Nutrition Month (July) is the time of the year when the public’s
attention is focused on nutrition along a chosen theme. It is mandated
by Section 7 of Presidential Decree No. 491, otherwise known as the
Nutrition Act of the Philippines, 25 June 1974, which states that,
“…The month of July shall be designated as Nutrition Month for the
purpose of creating awareness among our people on the importance of
nutrition…”

2. The promotion of Healthy Diet is one of the components of Healthy

Lifestyle, encompassing all age groups from infancy to adulthood.

Key Messages:
1. Promotion of the “Bright Child Program” by ensuring that the
following basic services are provided to the child starting from
conception:
a) pre and post natal care
b) breastfeeding
c) immunization
d) growth monitoring and promotion
e) nutrition education
f) micronutrient supplementation
g) complementary feeding/food assistance
h) oral health
i) healthy lifestyle
2. Ten Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos
a. Eat a variety of foods everyday.
(Choose different kinds of foods from all food groups to obtain a well-
balanced diet but follow the Food Pyramid Guide)
b. Breastfeed infants exclusively from birth up to six months.
Then give appropriate foods while continuing breastfeeding
up to two years of age.
(This ensures a safe and complete food, providing protection against
illnesses to the newborn and growing infant. Complementary food is
given once the infant is ready for solid foods at about six months.)
c. Maintain children’s normal growth through proper diet and
monitor their growth regularly.
(Give advise on proper feeding of children. Promote regular weighing
to monitor the growth and assess nutritional status.)
d. Consume fish, lean meat, poultry or dried beans.
 (These provide good quality protein and dietary energy, as well as iron
and zinc, key nutrients lacking in the Filipino diet.)
e. Eat more vegetables, fruits and root crops.
(These supply the much needed vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers.)
f. Eat foods cooked in edible cooking oil in your daily meals.
(This provides additional dietary energy as partial remedy to caloric
deficiency.)
g. Consume milk, milk products and other calcium-rich foods,
such as small
fish and dark, green leafy vegetables everyday.
(These provide calcium for healthy bones and high quality protein and
other nutrients for growth.)
h. Use iodized salt, but avoid excessive intake of salty foods.
(Promote the use of iodized salt to prevent iodine deficiency which is a
major cause of mental retardation and physical underdevelopment.
Less intake of salty foods prevents hypertension.)
i. Eat clean and safe foods.
(This is intended to prevent food-borne diseases. Eating of moldy
foods can increase cancer risk.)
j. For a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, exercise
regularly, do not smoke and avoid drinking alcoholic
beverages.

II. NATIONAL BLOOD DONORS’ MONTH

Basic Facts:
1. The Potential Blood Donor possesses the following :
a) Age: Between 18 y/o and 55 y/o
b) Weight: At least 100 lbs. (45 kgs.) for blood donation of
250 ml and
At least 110 lbs. (50 kgs.) for blood donation of 450 ml.
c) Pulse Rate: Between 60 and 100 beats/ minute with a
regular rhythm
d) Blood Pressure: Between 90 to 160 systolic and 60 to 100
diastolic
e) Hemoglobin: at least 125 g/ul

2. The following are certain conditions that can prevent a person

temporarily or permanently from donating blood:

Temporary: pregnancy, acute fever, recent alcohol intake, ear or

body piercing, recent surgery

Permanent: cancers, cardiac diseases, severe lung diseases, viral

hepatitis, HIV infection, AIDS or STD, high risk occupations
(ex.prostitution), prolonged bleeding, unexplained weight loss of more
than 5 kg over six months, chronic alcoholism
 3. A minimum interval between two donations is 12 weeks because iron
stock which is mainly present in the blood has to be restored.

Key Messages:
1. Blood is a valuable human resource.

2. Be a modern hero by sharing your blood and time to save another

person’s life.
Remember: human blood for transfusion is the only form of treatment that
can not be manufactured by factories.

3. A minimum interval between two donations is 12 weeks because iron

stock
which is mainly present in the blood has to be restored.

III. NATIONAL DISASTER CONSCIOUSNESS MONTH

Basic Facts:
1. We can not prevent the occurrence of a disaster but we can do a lot to
avoid and/or reduce the impact of the disaster.

2. The key to disaster prevention is planning (form disaster volunteer

teams,
organize evacuation, stock water and other supplies in evacuation centers,
maintain environmental sanitation).

3. Practice emergency drills. Set up alarm systems for quick and orderly
evacuation.

4. Local officials and relief workers will be in the scene for response after
the disaster but they can not reach everyone right away and at the same
time.

5. Families play major role in minimizing loss of life, property or

accidents by preparing in advance and working as a team

HOW? - By creating a Family Disaster Coordinating Council

Four Basic Safety Steps
a) Find out what could happen to you
- contact Local Disaster Coordinating Council for types of common
disasters, risks and actions to be undertaken
b) Create a Family Disaster Plan
- meet with family members to discuss what needs to be prepared
during a disaster and develop plan as a team
c) Complete your checklists
- post list of emergency telephone numbers, contact agencies,
persons at home
- stock emergency supplies
 - first aid kit made available

d) Practice and maintain your plan

- conduct drills and simulation exercises
- periodically review and update plan

Key Messages:
1. Disaster can strike quickly and without warning

2. Avoid panic because this will do more harm. Panic is best avoided by
adequate planning.

3. Listen to the radio for information and advise.

4. Stay indoors. Do not go out of the house unless it is very important.

IV. NATIONAL DISABILITY PREVENTION AND REHABILITAION WEEK

July 17-23
Basic Facts:
1. Presidential Proclamation No. 1870 dated June 22, 1978 declares the
third
week of July every year as the National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week.

2. The types of disabilities are:

 psychosocial and behavioral
 disabilities due to chronic illnesses
 learning disabilities
 mental disabilities
 visual disabilities
 orthopedic disabilities
 communication disabilities

3. Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, July 19, 1991 – RA 7277

- a comprehensive law on disability covering social, medical,
educational and employment concerns of persons with
disability

4. All disabled Filipinos, regardless of age, should be registered as

mandated by the above law. This will enable government to improve
current service coverage to persons with disabilities.
 Key Message:
1. Prevention of disability is done through:
 complete immunization
 proper nutrition
 regular exercise
 avoiding tobacco, excess alcohol and illegal drugs
 environment protection and preservation
 counseling

2. It is important that everyone, including health care professionals,

understand that having disability is not the same as being sick

V. National Diabetes Awareness Week – July 18-24

Basic Facts:
1. Almost 50% of diabetics do not have symptoms and discover the
condition only during regular check-ups.

2. Only a blood examination can determine if one has elevated blood

sugar levels.

3. There is still no known cure for diabetes. Once a diabetic, a person has
to take therapy for the rest of his/her life to maintain a normal blood
sugar level and to prevent complications.

Key Messages:
1. The illness easily starts with 2 Ks: Katakawan (gluttony) and
Katamaran (laziness)

2. Prevention is through healthy lifestyle:

- proper diet (less salty, fatty and sweet foods)
- exercise regularly
- maintain normal body weight
- avoid smoking, alcohol and stress