Unit 2: Health Trends,

Issues, and Concerns

NATIONAL LEVEL
As an adolescent, you
experience numerous
health issues that
pertain to your well-
being. What are some
examples of these
concerns?
 NEW MAIL

1. What is the letter

sender’s dilemma?
2. What consumer right is
the letter sender
practicing?
CONSUMER HEALTH

 Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the

Philippines has three objectives (Galvez Tan, et al., 2009):
 1. Protect the interest of the consumer
 2. Promote his/her general welfare
 3.Establish standards of conduct for business and
industry
 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.
ALTERNATIVES
Reproductive Health

 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” (Galvez Tan, et al., 2009).

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.
Responsible Parenthood and
Reproductive Health Act
 Toaid 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. Get to know more
about the Act by answering the activity.
PILLARS OF FOUNDATION

 TheResponsible Parenthood and Reproductive

Health Act builds it foundation on four pillars.
1. Identify these pillars by unscrambling the
letters.
2. Read the provisions beside each pillar.
 Reproductive health also concerns problems such as
sexually-transmitted infections. 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.
 Inaddition 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.
 AcquiredImmunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS is
caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
which usually does not have symptoms in its early
stages.
 “Initially, people with HIV were diagnosed as
having AIDS only when they developed blood
infections, the cancer known as Kaposi’s sarcoma,
or any of the 21 other indicator diseases”
(Donatelle, 2006).
 In addition, HIV is highly infectious through unprotected
sexual intercourse, breastfeeding (of an infected mother to
infant), and blood transfusion/injecting drugs (needles
used for infected patients). Currently, there are several
treatment options for HIV and AIDS, but no known cure
yet.
 In this light, the government also puts its efforts to
eradicate these sex-related diseases especially AIDS.
The Philippine AIDS Prevention and
Control Act
 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 Actalso 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).
Substance Use and Abuse
 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”
(Galvez Tan, et al., 2009).
 Alcoholand 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.
The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs 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.
Unlawful acts that 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 sources of such
 i. Unnecessary prescribing dangerous drugs
The Tobacco Regulation Act

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.
 In order to promote a healthful environment, the
Act absolutely bans smoking in public places, most
especially in centers of youth activities, elevators
and stairwells, fire-hazardous places, within public
and private hospitals and medical clinics, airport
and other terminals, and food preparation areas. In
this light, a designated smoking and non-smoking
area should be utilized.
 The Act also restricts access to sale of tobacco
products to minors. Tobacco may not be put in a
vending machine, unless it verifies age, and may
not be sold within 100 meters of a school. Should
tobacco be sold, there should be proper signage
that indicates target consumers.
 When it comes to advertising and
promotions, the Act provisions the
printing of warnings on cigarette
packs in either Filipino or English.
In addition, health warnings should
also be included.
Lastly,the government should provide
programs and projects for those who shall be
affected by the passing of the Act. One
example of which are the tobacco growers.
The Act provisions the establishment of a
cooperative and assistance program for the
said people.
Social Health
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
AntiChild 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”.
The Term CHILD
 “Child” refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or over, but is unable
to fully take care of himself/herself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or
discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition. For the
purpose of this Act, a child shall also refer to:
(1) a person regardless of age who is presented, depicted or
portrayed as a child as defined herein; and
(2) computer-generated, digitally or manually crafted images or graphics
of a person who is represented or who is made to appear to be a child as defined
herein.
 Child pornography may also be syndicated if there are
three (3) or more persons confederating with one another.
In this light, it is not only the victim who can file a
complaint, but the parents or guardians, relative within the
third degree, officer or social worker of a licensed child-
caring institution or DSWD, barangay chairman, law
enforcement officer, at least three concerned responsible
citizens in the same place where the pornography occurs,
and a person who is knowledgeable of the law may do so.
3. Hazing

 Fraternities and sororities, gangs, and social groups are

starting to become more and more identified and
publicized. Because of their “alleged” prestige and prime,
more teens are encouraged to be a part of them.
 For some of these groups, hazing may be an option to test
an “applicant’s” willingness and commitment. On the
other hand, hazing is very dangerous, and proven to have
killed many lives.
The Anti-Hazing Law

 The government protects the youth through the

Republic Act No. 8949 or the Anti-Hazing Law.
The Act penalizes those who will go too far during
initiation rites wherein the “applicant” is subjected
to severe physical and emotional pain and
suffering.
4. Blood Donation

 Being proactive citizens of the country, you must willingly

help others in ways that will not harm you. One of the
emerging forms of voluntary service is blood donation.
Republic Act No. 7719 or the National Blood Services Act
of 1994 aims to promote and encourage voluntary blood
donation by the citizenry, provide for adequate, safe and
affordable and equitable distribution of blood and blood
products.
In order to attain these aims, the Act provisions the establishment
of a Blood Services Network which consists of the following:

 a. National Council for Blood Services and its various committees

It serves as the governing body of the network and is responsible
for the approval of various policies on blood services.
 b. Philippine National Blood Services
Under its Blood Centers, it works on the recruitment, retention, and
care of voluntary blood donors, collection of blood from qualified
donors, testing of units of blood for infectious diseases, and the like.
 c. Authorized Blood Collection Units and Facilities
 d.Private and Public Hospital Blood Banks and Blood
Stations
 e. Non-Hospital Health Facilities
 f.National Reference Laboratories for Immunology and
Immunohematology
Safety in the Environment

Pollution and road safety are two of the

most usual issues that concern you as a
member of your community. Here are
some policies most appropriate to
address these concerns.
1. Pollution
 With the exponential growth in population, more resources
are being demanded and supplied to the people. However,
people do not manage these resources properly. Thus,
pollution arises. That is why the government mandated the
Republic Act No. 9512 or the National Environmental
Awareness and Education Act of 2008.
The National Environmental Awareness
and Education Act
This Act promotes environmental awareness
through environmental education. Various
educational agencies, DSWD, DOST, and
DENR shall integrate environmental
education in their curricula.
In addition, environmental education
shall also be part of the National
Service Training Program (NSTP).
 Itshall encompass the concepts and principles,
laws, international and national best practices,
threats of degradation and its impacts to human
well-being, responsibilities of humans in
conservation, protection and rehabilitation of
resources, and sustainable development through
the environment.
2. Road Safety

Road accidents are one of the most

frequent causes of death among
Filipinos. To respond to this alarming
situation, citizens are protected by law
through these Republic Acts.
The Seat Belts Use Act

 Republic Act No 8750 or the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999

aims to secure and safeguard passengers and drivers of
motor vehicles from injuries and other effects of vehicular
accidents. The policy includes the mandatory wearing of
seatbelts by the driver and front seat passengers of any
running motor vehicle. The Act also prohibits children
from sitting in the front seat of any motor vehicle.
 In addition, Republic Act No. 10586 or the
Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Law also
penalizes those who will be caught driving
under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and
other similar substances.
WE ARE DONE!