Unit 2: Health Trends, Issues, and

Concerns in the National Level

Prepared by:
Albert Ian L. Casuga
Unit 2: Health Trends, Issues, and
Concerns in the National Level
Prepared by:
Albert Ian L. Casuga
a. Consumer Act
b.Traditional and Alternative Medicines Act
c. Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act
d.Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act
e.Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
f. Tobacco Regulation Act
g. Cybercrime Prevention Act
h.Anti-Child Pornography Act
i. National Blood Services Act
j. Anti-Hazing Law
k. National Environmental Awareness and Education Act
l. Seat Belts Use Act
m. Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Law
Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer
Act of the Philippines has three objectives
1. Protect the interest of the consumer
2. Promote his/her general welfare
3. Establish standards of conduct for
business and industry
 The Consumer Act also covers the
quality and safety of different products like
food, drugs, cosmetics, and devices. The
policy also promotes the protection of
citizens against hazardous substances that
may be in sale. Hence, proper labeling and
fair packaging shall be required for all the
products being sold.
In connection with the Consumer Act,
Republic Act 8423 or the Traditional and
Alternative Medicine Act of 1997 (TAMA)
provides for the improvement of quality and
delivery of healthcare services in the country
through the development of traditional and
alternative healthcare and its integration into
the national healthcare system.
The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative
Healthcare (PITAHC) to accelerate the development
of the said healthcare in the country.

The TAMA of 1997 states that there are more than 2000
available medicinal plants in the country, but only some are
approved by the Department of Health. What are these
medicinal plants? List them in your notebook.
 To aid the reproductive health
needs of the citizens, the
government mandated the RA
10354 or most commonly known
as the Responsible Parenthood
and Reproductive Health Act.
Another pressing health issue that concerns
you as an adolescent is reproductive health.
“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”. With the sudden physical and
emotional changes in your body, more and
more questions are starting to surface.
Reproductive health is crucial for it paves
the way for your social and economic
development. Furthermore, it has also a
great influence in the health of the next
generation. The health of newborn
children will be dependent on the health
of the parents, particularly the mother.
 Reproductive health also concerns problems such
as STI. According to Dr. Natividad (2013), in the Young
Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study of 2013 (YAFS-4), a
survey of Filipino college and high school graduates,
36.2 percent and 43.5 percent respectively admitted
to having engaged in premarital sex. In addition 66.7
percent and 79.6 percent did not use any protection at
first premarital sex. These scenarios are most often the
causes of infections.
 The Republic Act No. 8504 or the Philippine AIDS
Prevention and Control Act of 1998 was passed by the
Congress on July 28, 1997. The Act promulgates
“policies and prescribing measures for the prevention
and control of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines, instituting a
nationwide HIV/AIDS information and educational
program, establishing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS
monitoring system, strengthening the Philippine
National AIDS Council, and for other purposes” (PNAC).
 The Act also provides for education and
information dissemination in various institutions
and agencies, safe practice and procedures
(testing, screening, and counseling) in health
organizations and associations, monitoring of
cases with confidentiality, and programs for anti-
discriminatory acts (in the workplace, hospitals,
and other public institutions).
 Gateway drugs may be considered as windows to
unprotected sex. These are drugs “that people use
initially that may eventually lead to the abuse of illegal
drugs. Alcohol and tobacco are gateway drugs. When
alcohol is consumed, the central nervous system is
affected. Thus, a person is more vulnerable to doing
dangerous acts because of depressed decision-making
skills.
 On the other hand, the
government also provides
protection from these gateway
drugs through the Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act and the
Tobacco Regulation Act.
 Republic Act No. 9165 or the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
of 2002 protects citizens from the
harmful effects of dangerous drugs
to their physical and mental well-
being. According to the policy, here
are some which are considered as
unlawful acts and are subject to
penalties and fines.
a. Importing of dangerous drugs and/or
controlled precursors and essential chemicals
(narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances)
b. Selling, trading, administering, dispensing,
delivering, distributing, and transporting
dangerous drugs and/or controlled
precursors and essential chemicals
c. Maintaining a drug den, drive, or resort
d. Manufacturing of dangerous drugs and/or
controlled precursors and essential chemicals
e. Manufacturing or delivery of equipment,
instrument, apparatus, or other paraphernalia
for dangerous drugs and/or controlled
precursors and essential chemicals
f. Possessing dangerous drugs, equipment,
instrument, apparatus, or other paraphernalia
g. Possessing dangerous drugs during parties,
social gatherings or meetings
h. Cultivating or culturing plants classified as
dangerous drugs or source of such
i. Unnecessary prescribing dangerous drugs
On the other hand, Republic
Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco
Regulation Act of 2003 protects
people from the sale, use, and
advertisements of hazardous
tobacco products.
 Peer influence also
concerns you as adolescents.
You are in the developmental
stage wherein you build lasting
relationships with peers. Here
are some issues that you may
encounter:
1. Cybercrime
With the advancement of technology, there are
various platforms where you may express yourself. This
diversity may do both good and harm to you. “Cyber refers
to a computer or a computer network, the electronic
medium in which online communication takes place”.
Thus, cybercrime is simply any crime committed in
cyberspace. To protect the citizens from this concern, the
government mandated Republic Act No. 10175 or the
Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The law mandates the
prohibition of cybersex, child pornography, unsolicited
commercial communications, and computer-related
identity theft.
2. Child Pornography
In relation to cybercrime, child pornography
has become a pressing concern of this generation.
Republic Act No. 9775 or the Anti- Child Pornography
Act of 2009 defines the crime of child pornography.
As defined, “Child pornography” refers to any
representation, whether visual, audio, or written
combination thereof, by electronic, mechanical,
digital, optical, magnetic or any other means, of child
engaged or involved in real or simulated explicit
sexual activities” (Official Gazette, 2009). In addition,
it is also important to note how the Act defines a
“child”.
a. Consumer Act
b.Traditional and Alternative Medicines Act
c. Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act
d.Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act
e.Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
f. Tobacco Regulation Act
g. Cybercrime Prevention Act
h.Anti-Child Pornography Act
i. National Blood Services Act
j. Anti-Hazing Law
k. National Environmental Awareness and Education Act
l. Seat Belts Use Act
m. Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Law