3RD GRADING REVIEWER

1. Unit 1: Consumer Health
QUAKERY Sale of products that are not scientifically proven to be effective; fraudulent advertisement or promotion
DENTIST Healthcare practitioner who specializes in problems of the teeth
NURSE Allied health professional who provides healthcare to patients in hospitals
PHILHEALTH Public health insurance mandated by Philippine law
PULMONOLOGIST Doctor who specializes in the disorders of the respiratory system
ACUPUNTURE Alternative medicine practice where needles are inserted in some specific of the body
DEVICE Form of quackery that uses equipment believed to cure illness
HMO Health maintenance organization; form of healthcare provider that makes use of prepaid money to cover medical
expenses
CONSUMER HEALTH THREE COMPONENTS:
1) Health Information
 plays a big role in the life of individuals.
 “It is information that people require to make wise choices and decisions about their health or the health
of [other people]” (Galvez Tan, et al., 2009).
 is any concept, step, or advice that various sources give to aid the health status of an individual.
 it is continuously and rapidly changing.
 Thus, it “should be timely, relevant, culturally appropriate, accessible, and delivered in a relevant format”
(Galvez Tan, et al., 2009).
 We can also find reliable health information from health books, and accredited online sources.
 On the other hand, unreliable sources of information and products are those from people who are not
experts in this field.
Licensed professionals
- Reliable sources of health information and products who took up specialized and intensive studies in the field.
- They are the ones who have the qualified educational background and can give scientific explanation to validate
information.
2) Health Products
 are food, drugs, cosmetics, devices, biologicals, vaccines, in-vitro diagnostic reagents,and
household/urban hazardous substances and/or a combination of and/or a derivative thereof (FDA Act,
2009).
 may be purchased from various places like supermarkets,pharmacies, and hospitals.
 People acquire health information and products from various sources like people, media, and technology.
It is important to identify the reliability of these sources.
3) Health Services
 Health services are often connected to healthcare.
 These programs aim to appraise the health conditions of individuals through screening and examinations,
cure and treat disorders, prevent and control the spread of diseases,provide safety,emergency care,and
first aid, and ensure a follow-up program for individuals who have undergone treatments.
 Health services are usually offered by healthcare providers.
“A healthcare provider is a trained professional who provides people with healthcare” (Meeks,et al.,2011).
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEALTHCARE
I. Health Professionals
Individuals who are licensed to practice medicine and other allied health programs.
 Physician records the medical history of individuals, provides diagnoses, performs medical examinations, and
prescribes medications.
 Cardiologist is a doctor with special training and skill in finding, treating and preventing diseases of the heart and
blood vessels.
 Dermatologist is the medical expert you should consult if you have any significant problem with your
skin. Dermatology is the science that is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair
and nails.
 Gastroenterologist is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders.
 Geriatrician he branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in older
people and the problems specific to aging.
 Gynecologist is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive systems (vagina, uterus
and ovaries) and the breasts. Literally, outside medicine, it means "the science of women".
 Neurologist is a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system.
 Orthopedist a physician who corrects congenital or functional abnormalities of the bones with surgery, casting,
and bracing. Orthopedists also treat injuries to the bones
 Ophthalmologist who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the
prevention of eye disease and injury.

2.  Pediatrician a medical practitioner specializing in children and their diseases.
 Pulmonologist s a physician who possesses specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of
pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases.
 Urologist a physician who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system.
Healthcare practitioners and allied health professionals are also considered health care providers.
“A healthcare practitioner is an independent healthcare provider who is licensed to practice on a specific area of the
body” (Meeks,et al., 2011).
Examples:
Podiatrists who specialize in the problems of the feet
Dentists Healthcare practitioner who specializes in problems of the teeth
Optometrists a person who practices optometry.
“An allied health professional is a trained healthcare provider who practices under the supervision of a physician or
healthcare practitioner” (Meeks,et al., 2011).
Examples:
Nurses Allied health professional who provides healthcare to patients in hospitals
Dieticians an expert on diet and nutrition.
Pharmacists a person who is professionally qualified to prepare and dispense medicinal drugs.
Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and
improve or restore mobility
II. HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
Healthcare facilities are places or institutions that offer healthcare services.
Different Types OfHealthcare Facilities
A. Hospital
 an institution where people undergo medical diagnosis, care and treatment.
 offers different types of medical care like inpatient and outpatient care
Inpatient care refers to care given to individuals who need to stay inside the hospital to receive proper treatment,
monitoring and care.
Outpatient care refers to treatment that does not require an individual to stay inside the hospital.
Different Kinds ofHospitals:
 A private hospital is operated by individuals to gain profit.
 A voluntary hospital does not require profit because it is owned by a community or an organization.
 A government or public hospital is being run by the state and the treatment fees are subsidized.
 A teaching hospital includes a school for medical students.
Philippines Two Classifications OfHospitals:
General hospitals have complete medical, surgical, and maternal care facilities.
Examples:
 Philippine General Hospital
 Baguio General Hospital
 Cebu General Hospital
 Davao Medical Center
Specialty hospitals handle a particular disease or condition or deal with only one type of patient.
Examples:
 Philippine Heart Center
 Lung Center of the Philippines
 National Kidney Transplant Institute.
B. Walk-In Surgery Center- It is a facility that offers surgery without the patient being admitted in the hospital.
C. Health Center- The services in a health center cater to a specific population with various health needs.
D. Extended Healthcare Facility- A facility that provides treatment, nursing care,and residential services to patients,
often the elderly.
III. HEALTH INSURANCE
 is a financial agreement between an insurance company and an individual or group for the payment of healthcare
costs” (Payne,et al., 2005).
 “Protection that provides benefits for sickness and injury” (Meeks,et al., 2011).
Various Types ofCoverage:
 Medical insurance pays for the fees of the health professionals, laboratory tests,and prescription drugs.
 Major medical insurance offers payment for long-term or chronic diseases such as AIDS and cancer.

3.  Hospitalization insurance pays for the stay of the patient inside the hospital.
 Surgical insurance pays for surgery fees.
 Disability insurance provides financing for members who meet accidents or suffer from illnesses.
Health insurance may be sourced from both public and private companies.
Public Health Insurance
PhilHealth
 As mandated by law in the country, employees of both public and private companies avail of PhilHealth.
 It requires a small monthly contribution from its members.
 These contributions are saved and used for the medical care needed by a PhilHealth member.
Health maintenance organization (HMO)
 Is a healthcare provider that offers medical services that are availed through a prepaid amount of money
 It is a business that requires a relatively reduced monthly fee for subscribers.
 The difference of an HMO with other insurance companies is that it hires or trains its own health professionals
and healthcare practitioners.
.
“Consumers today face an amazing array of choices when they consider taking action to improve their health or seek
care for a health problem” (Donatelle, 2006). In addition to health professionals, there are also many other forms of
healthcare that offer alternatives.These complementary and alternative healthcare modalities are often taken because
some individuals believe that traditional medical care may not be enough to treat a particular health condition. A
complementary medicine is availed and integrated together with traditional medicine. On the other hand, alternative
medicine is offered in place of traditional medicine.
Four Major Domains ofComplementary and Alternative Medicine:
Biologically-based practices are taking herbal medicine and availing of special diets and vitamins.
Energy medicine usesmagnetic fields or biofields in belief that energy fields may enter various points in the body.
Manipulative and body-based practices are bodily-kinesthetic in nature and are concerned with movement therapy.
Mind-body medicine uses mentalexercises in belief that the brain is central to the health of an individual.
Republic Act No. 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of1997 provisioned the creation of the
Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Healthcare (PITAHC),which works closely with the Department of
Health.
Philippine Institute ofTraditional and Alternative Healthcare (PITAHC)
Is also the law-making body with regards to the effective use of traditional and alternative medicine.
Examples of The PITAHC-Approved Alternative Modalities:
Naturopathy
“Naturopathic medicine views diseases as a manifestation of an alteration in the processes by which the body naturally
heals itself” (Donatelle, 2006).
Naturopathy offers a wide range of natural practices including herbal medicine acupuncture, acupressure,nutritional
therapy, and ventosa cupping massage therapy.
Herbal Medicine 10 Herbs Approved By The Department OfHealth
AKAPULCO
(Cassia alata)
For ringworm and other skin (fungal) infections
AMPALAYA
(Momordica
charantia)
For non-insulin dependent diabetic patients
BAWANG
(Allium sativum
)
For blood pressure control
BAYABAS
(Psidium
guajava)
For use as antiseptic to disinfect wounds
For mouthwash or tooth decay and gum infection
LAGUNDI
(Vitex negundo)
For cough and asthma
NIYOG-NIYOGAN
(Quisqualisindica L.)
For intestinal worms, particularly ascaris and trichina
SAMBONG
(Blumea balsamifera)
For urinary stones
TSAANGGUBAT
(Ehretia microphylla Lam.)
For mouthwash
PANSIT-PANSITAN
(Peperomia pellucida)
For arthritis and gout

4. YERBA BUENA
(Clinopodium douglasii)
For relief from body aches and pains
Examples ofAlternative Medicine
1. Acupuncture
It is a form of energy medicine where long thin needles are inserted to specific parts of the body to affect the energy flow.
Acupuncture is believed to treat musculoskeletal dysfunctions.
2. Ventosa cupping massage therapy
This procedure is done by placing inverted glasses that have flames from burning cotton, on specific points in the body. It
is believed to relieve muscle and joint pains.
3. Reflexology
Similar to acupuncture, reflexology focuses on treating specific disorders through massaging of the soles of the feet.
4. Acupressure
Acupressure uses the same technique as that of acupuncture. The only difference is that acupressure does not use needles
but hands to apply pressure on certain points of the body.
5. Nutrition Therapy
Nutrition therapy approaches treatment of a medical condition by providing a tailored diet for the patient.
Quackery
 a form of a health fraud, is any advertisement, promotion, or sale of products and services that have not been
scientifically proven safe and effective (Meeks,et al, 2011)
 It is being operated by a quack. A quack is an individual that has little or no professional qualifications to practice
medicine.
 He/She also pretentiously uses meaningless medical jargon and relies on scare tactics,paranoid accusations, and
quick fixes.
Three Major Characteristics OfHealth Quackery (Schaler & Carroll, undated)
 First, it is a big business. A huge amount of money is spent on fraudulent health products and services.
 Second, it multiplies and spreads fast.
 Lastly, it thrives on individuals who are diagnosed with illnesses that are known to have no cure.
The three forms ofquackery:
Medical quackery
Medical quackery includes cures,treatments, and remedies of various health conditions that are drugless or bloodless in
nature.
Nutrition quackery
Nutrition quackery involves promotion of food fads and other nutritional practices that claim to be all-natural. These are
believed to have beneficial properties of multiple plants in one product.
Device quackery
Device quackery makes use of miraculous gadgets (such as dials, gauges, electrodes, magnets, and blinkers) that are
believed to cure certain health conditions.
When evaluating health information and products, you must check for:
CREDIBILITY
1. This tells about the source and regency of the information. Who or what is the source of the information/product?
Is the source qualified?
Is the information updated?
CONTENT
2. This tells about the accuracy,disclaimer, and completeness of information. Is it complete and correct?
Does it have scientific basis?
Does it state the limitations, purpose, scope,authority and currency of the information?
Does it have labels that contain the directions for use and storage, expiration date and warnings?
DISCLOSURE
3. This tells about the purpose and caveat of the information. What is the purpose of giving the information/product?
Is it for marketing purposes?
Is it for selling products or for disseminating information?
INTERACTIVITY
4. This tells about the feedback mechanism and means of information exchange between the source and the consumer.
Can the consumer offer comments and suggestions?
Is it possible to ask questions?

5. “Health insurance should cover standard risksof illness and injury for family members.” (Meeks,et al.,2011).
Two Types ofExpensesInvolved In Health Insurance:
Covered expense refers to the coverage of medical services that can be paid by the company issuing the health insurance.
Exclusions are specific services that are not paid by the issuer.
Actions That May Be Taken To Evaluate A Health Insurance (Meeks,et al.,2011):
1. Obtain and read carefully a copy of the health insurance plan.
2. Ask questions of representatives from the health insurance plan.
3. Shop around for other options.
4. Choose plans that give the most comprehensive coverage at the most affordable price.
The government also plays an important role in consumer protection.
A consumer has rights mandated by law. These are privileges that an individual is guaranteed of health products and
services.
The Consumer Act ofthe Philippines is a law that protects the interest of the consumer, promotes general welfare,and
establishes standards of conduct for business and industry.
8 Basic Rights OfA Consumer According To The Act (Galvez Tan, et al., 2009).
1. The right to __________________ This right guarantees survival, adequate food, clothing,
shelter, healthcare, education, and sanitation.
2. The right to ___________________ This is the right to be protected against the marketing of
goods or the provision of services that are hazardous to
health and life.
3. The right to ___________________ This is the right to be protected against dishonest or
misleading advertising or labeling and the right to be
given the facts and information needed to make an
informed choice.
4. The right to ___________________ This is the right to choose products at competitive prices
with an assurance of satisfactory quality.
5. The right to ___________________ This is the right to express consumer interests in the
making and execution of government policies.
6. The right to ___________________ This is the right to be compensated for misrepresentation,
shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.
7. The right to ___________________ This is the right to acquire the knowledge and skills
necessary to be an informed customer.
8. The right to ___________________ This is the right to live and work in an environment that is
neither threatening nor dangerous and, which permits a
life of dignity and well-being.
SUMMARY
Complete the paragraph by writing the correct answers on the blanks.
Consumer health encompasses the health information, products, and services being gathered, acquired, and availed by an
individual. _____________________ refers to any concept, idea, data, or figures that may aid to the health status of an
individual. __________________ refer to materials, devices, or items that an individual purchases to improve health.
Examples of these are shampoo, medicine, health electronics, and food. On the other hand, ___________________referto
programs offered for the health appraisal of an individual through various treatment, screening, and examinations. Some
examples of these are health professionals, facilities, and insurance.
When availing of health information, products, and services, it is important to examine and evaluate the reliability of the
sources to avoid quackery. Quackery refers to fraudulent promotion, sales, or advertisement of various products. There are
three kinds of quackery. The first is __________________ which refers to the prescription of scientifically unproven
medical treatment and cure. The second is ____________________ which refers to the sale of items that are believed to
treat or cure an individual. The last is __________________ which includes fad diets and other practices.
Under the law, the consumers are protected with rights such as _________,________________,________________,and
_________________.With these rights, a consumer may be able to report incidences of fraudulent practices and
purchases.

6. Unit 2: Health Trends, Issues, and Concerns in the National Level
Identify the policy being described in each number. Choose from the box the letter of the correct answer in the table.
National Environmental Awareness and Education Act
1. Provides for the inclusion of environmental education programs in various national institutions
Tobacco Regulation Act
2. Supervises the legal production of cigarettes in the country
Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act
3. Provides assistance for the prevention and control of AIDS
Consumer Act
4. Provides for the regulation of products and services being sold and offered in the country
National Blood Services Act
5. Describes the blood donation program in the country
Anti-Hazing Law
6. Prohibits physical and emotional harm and abuse as initiation to a certain social group
Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Law
7. Penalizes vehicle drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
8. Provides for the regulation of narcotic and other related substances being sold/imported in the country
Traditional and Alternative Medicines Act
9. Identifies scientifically proven herbs as medicinal plants
Seat Belts Use Act
10. Penalizes vehicle users who will not wear safety belts while on the road
Anti-Child Pornography Act
11. Protects children from any malicious acts online
Cybercrime Prevention Act
12. Provides for criminal offenses committed online
Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act
13. Provides for maternal and child healthcare,family planning, and responsible parenthood
Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act ofthe 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
To achieve the objectives, the Act aims to protectpeople againsthazards to health and safety, and deceptive
and unfair sales acts and practices. In this light, the policy mandates for information dissemination and education to
facilitate sound choice and proper exercise of rights by the consumer.
The Consumer Act also covers the quality and safety of different products like food, drugs,cosmetics, and
devices. The policy also promotes the protection ofcitizens against hazardous substancesthat 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 policy also identifies medicinal plants in the country which are readily available. These medicinal plants shall be
given care by different agencies. In order to coordinate various activities and programs in the traditional and alternative
healthcare delivery system, the Act provisions the establishment of the Philippine Institute ofTraditional and
Alternative Healthcare (PITAHC) to accelerate the development of the said healthcare in the country.
Reproductive Health
. “Reproductive health is defined asa 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).
Reproductive health is crucial for it paves the way for your social and economic development.
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. Get to know more about the Act by answering the
activity.

7. PILLARS OF FOUNDATION
Pillar 1:
FREDOM IN CHOICE
As stated in the Act,effective and quality reproductive healthcare services, which are ethically and medically safe,legal,
accessible, and affordable, shall be given primacy to ensure the health of the mother and child. Also, the government shall
promote and provide unbiased information and access to these services. This pillar also covers the provision for the
integration of reproductive health and sexuality education in schools, and other educational settings.
Pillar 2:
RESPECT FOR LIFE
The Act recognizes that abortion is illegal and punishable by law. However,mothers will be identified to have aborted an
unborn child will be served with post-abortive treatment and counseling in a humane, nonjudgmental, and compassionate
manner.
Pillar 3:
BIRTH CONTROL
Reproductive healthcare,information, and supplies shall be made available most especially to poor beneficiaries.
However,the Act provisions also that the government must respect the citizen’s individual preferences and choices of
family planning method.
Pillar 4:
RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD
Couples determine their ideal family size. In addition, the government shall equip each parent with needed information in
all aspects of family life, reproductive health, and this pillar.
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.
66.7 percent and 79.6 percent did not use any protection at first premarital sex.
Acquired Immunodeficiency 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).
HIVis 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 severaltreatment options for
HIV and AIDS,but no known cure yet.
The Republic Act No. 8504 or the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of1998 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).
Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of2002 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.
 Importing of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals (narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances)
 Selling, trading, administering, dispensing, delivering, distributing, and transporting dangerous drugs and/or
controlled precursors and essential chemicals
 Maintaining a drug den, drive, or resort
 Manufacturing of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals
 Manufacturing or delivery of equipment, instrument, apparatus,or other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs and/or
controlled precursors and essential chemicals
 Possessing dangerous drugs, equipment, instrument, apparatus,or other paraphernalia
 Possessing dangerous drugs during parties, social gatherings or meetings
 Cultivating or culturing plants classified as dangerous drugs or sources of such
 Unnecessary prescribing dangerous drugs

8. Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of2003 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
“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
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 realor simulated explicit sexual
activities” (Official Gazette, 2009).
“Child” refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age orover, but is unable to fully take care of himself/herself
fromabuse,neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.For
the purpose of this Act, a child shall also referto:
(1) a person regardlessof age who is presented,depicted orportrayed as a child asdefined herein; and
(2) computer-generated,digitally or manually crafted imagesor graphicsof 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.
Once the victim is identified, he/she is subject to care,custody and treatment from the Department ofSocial Welfare
and Development.In addition, an inter-agency program shall also be established to prevent child pornography.
3. Hazing
Fraternities and sororities, gangs, and social groups are starting to become more and more identified and publicized. 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 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
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, Act provisions the establishment of a Blood Services Network which consists 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

9. Safety in the Environment
1. Pollution
Republic Act No. 9512 or the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008.
This Act promotes environmental awareness through environmental education. Various educational agencies, DSWD,
DOST,and DENR shall integrate environmental education in their curricula. It shall 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. In addition, environmental education shall also be part of the National Service Training
Program (NSTP).
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.
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.
R.A. 6969 Toxic Substances
R.A. 10351 Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Products
R.A. 8172 Act on Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN)
R.A. 7277 Magna Carta for Disabled Persons
R.A. 9994 Expanded Senior Citizens Act
R.A. 8371 Indigenous PeoplesRights Act of 1997

10. Unit 3: Health Trends, Issues, and Concerns (Global level)
Self-Check
1. Which of these international organizations is the chief
body responsible for providing leadership on global
health, setting norms and standards and providing health
support to countries around the world?
a. International Committee of the Red Cross
b. United Nations Health and Life Insurance
c. World Bank
d. World Health Organization
2. Which area recorded the highest death rate among
children aged 5 years and below?
a. Africa
b. East Asia and Pacific
c. Latin America
d. South Asia
3. Which disease is the leading cause of death among
people who live in developing countries?
a. heart diseases
b. HIV/AIDS
c. malaria
d. respiratory diseases
4. In what region did new HIV infections occur among
individuals living in low- and middle-income countries?
a. East Asia
b. Sub-Saharan Africa
c. South Asia
d. Pacific Region
5. Which life-style disease is the top leading cause of
death worldwide?
a. diabetes
b. heart disease
c. hypertension
d. stroke
Global Health and the Millennium Development Goals
“Global health” improved public awareness of vulnerabilities and shared responsibilities among people for the different
injustices in the world.
 Ilona Kickbush (2006), director of the Global Health Program at the Graduate Institute of International and
Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland states that global health pertains to various health issues, concerns,
and trends which go beyond national boundaries and call for global initiatives for the protection and promotion of
peoples’ health across the world.
 Koplan and Associates (2009) states that global health is an area for study, research and practice that prioritizes
health improvement and achieving impartiality in healthcare and wellness worldwide.
 Beaglehole and Bonita (2010) gave a short but meaningful definition of global health: cooperative research and
action of international communities to promote health for all.
Millennium Development Goals
The United Nations Millennium Declaration,signed in September 2000 commits world leadersto fight discrimination
against women and children,disease, hunger, poverty, illiteracy,and environmental degradation.
8 TARGETS that all 191 UN Member States have agreed to achieve by 2015
1 Developing country particularly in Africa and Asia suffer fromextreme poverty and hunger. Poverty and hunger leads
to severe malnutrition which leads to lifelong physical and cognitive (learning and reasoning)damage and affects health,
well-being and the economy. Some key suggestions to eradicate poverty and hungerare:
Education
Promoting gender equality
Producing more jobs
Investing more in agriculture
Strengthened nutrition programs forchildren and infants
Support and protection of developing and vulnerable countries during crises
2 Persons, particularly women who are educated, are more likely to seek medical care especially during pregnancy,
ensuring proper nutrition for their family, adopting healthy sanitary practices and ensuring immunization of children.As
an effect, infantsand children have better survival rates, are healthierand better nourished. If these are attained, children
who receive primary education are more likely to:
Marry and have their own families at a laterstage in life
Practice family planning and have fewer children
Know rights, responsibilities and civic obligations
Seek employment and sustain personal and family needs
Have decreased risk of getting sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS
Support and protection of developing and vulnerable countriesduring crises
3 Gender equality means equal representation of men and women.It implies that all gender should have equal value and
treatment. Equal gender treatment empowers women and other groups creating opportunities in education, work,
finances, and other aspects which improves the economy and lessen effects of financial crises.Gender equality can be
achieved through:
Early childhood development intervention
Promotion of women’s political rights and involvement
Improved reproductive health programs and policies
Education and integrating gender equality in school curriculum
Improved women’s access to work and strengthened labor policies for women
Support and protection of developing and vulnerable countriesduring crises

11. 4 Programs and policies which help reduce child mortality like improving nutritional intake, healthcare facilities and
infrastructure,and other fields which improve children’s lives. Strengthening local and national health programs and
policies is one way to reduce child mortality. This includes:
Immunization programs
Assuring the survival and better health of mothers
Improving reproductive health programs and policies
Better nutrition programfor infants, children and mothers
5 Improved maternal health is not only about mother’s health but also involves the health and wellness of the family.
Maternal health also helps eradicate otherproblems like poverty, genderinequality,decreased workforce,lowerbirth
deaths, and disability of women. Some waysto improve maternal health include:
Improved and propernutrition of mothers
Teaching the benefits of birth spacing and small family size
Educating young boysand girlsabout the importance of maternal health
Better and improved access to hospital care especially obstetric-gynecology, prenatal and postnatal care
6 Emerging and re-emerging diseaseslike HIV/AIDS, malaria, influenza and otherdiseases affect productivity and
growth of nations.Some of the effectsof disease outbreak are loss of jobs, shortage in professional workers, and creating
social crises. Children are the most vulnerable and are exposed to exploitation and abuse undermining theirnormal
growth and development. Some waysto combat diseases include effective prevention,treatment and care like:
Improved housing conditions
Increased access to anti-malarial medicines
Promoting safer sex behavior and preventive education for all
Promoting Tuberculosis (TB) screening of HIV/AIDS persons and
TB - Directly Observed Treatment Short (TB-DOTS) Course therapy
Promoting the use of insecticide-treated nets to fight mosquito-borne diseases
7 Investing and supporting sustainable energy like solar,wind and water energy help support jobs, create business
opportunities, and save remaining non-renewable energy sources. Environmental sustainability assures peoples to live
healthier and enjoy a clean and green environment. Some of the benefitsof a sustainable environment are:
Cleaner air and environment
Clean, environment-friendly, and renewable energy
New and aspiring jobsand businessin energy
Increased access to sanitation
8 The United Nations, World Health Organization,World Bank and governments work togetherto make sure there is fair
trade and that heavily indebted countries obtain relief and funds to combat poverty, malnutrition and funds for education
and social projects.Some benefits of global partnership are:
Expanded international trade agreements
Improved access to affordable medicine
Reduced poverty through government debt relief grant
Developed information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure
Global Health Initiatives
 are programs set in motion by the United Nations through the World Health Organization and in partnership with
the World Bank which targets specific health problems including but not limited to emerging and re-emerging
diseases,climate change, environmental sanitation, mental health, tobacco regulation, and alcohol use.
The Global Fight against Communicable Diseases
Roll Back Malaria is a global effort to reduce the number of deaths from malaria infection through heightened
prevention tools, rapid response to outbreaks, development of new anti-malarial products, and effective treatment of the
infection.
Specific objective:
1. To enable and to increase the capacity of caregivers to recognize malaria promptly and take early appropriate action;
2. To empower service providers by imparting adequate knowledge, skill and capacity which enable them to respond to
malaria illness appropriately;
3. To create an enabling environment for implementation.
Stop TB is a global effort to prevent further transmission of tuberculosis or TB around the world. One of the programs for
Stop TB is the implementation of the TB-DOTS short-course strategy.
Objectives
1. To achieve universal access to high-quality diagnosis and patient-centered treatment
2. To reduce the suffering and socio-economic burden associated with TB
3. To protect poor and vulnerable populations from TB, TB/HIV and multi drug-resistant – TB (MDR-TB)
4. To support development of new tools and enable their timely and effective use.

12. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization is a global strategy which aims to strengthen children’s
immunization programs and introduce new generation of licensed vaccines into use in developing countries across the
globe. These new vaccines which could help reduce the number of deaths in children aged 5 years old and below includes:
 Hepatitis B vaccine
 Childhood meningitis vaccine
 Yellow fever vaccine
 Influenza vaccine
 Vaccine for pneumonia
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria is a funding project rather than an initiative. Nevertheless it helps in
the prevention, reduction, and mitigation of the negative impacts of the three diseases to humanity which contributes to
the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals.
Global Prevention and Control ofTobacco and Alcohol Use
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the prime international treaty negotiated
under WHO. The WHO FCTC came into existence in reaction to the global epidemic of tobacco use and abuse. It
reaffirms the right of every individual across the world to the highest standard of health promoting public health and
providing new legal means for global health cooperation.
The following summarizes the WHO FCTC provisions:
1. Price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco, and
2. Non-price measures to reduce the demand for tobacco, namely:Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke;
 Regulation of the contents of tobacco products;
 Regulation of tobacco product disclosures;
 New packaging and labeling of tobacco products;
 Education, communication, training and public awareness;
 Demand reduction measures concerning tobacco dependence and cessation; and
 Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
The Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use ofAlcohol recognizes the close ties between the harmful use of
alcohol and the socio-economic development of a nation. Likewise, this strategy builds and supports other global health
initiatives like the global strategy for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
The Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control ofNon-communicable Diseases is a global action plan to prevent
and control the following non-communicable diseases: cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases,cancers,and
diabetes and the four shared risk factors: unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, tobacco use and alcohol use.
Objectives of the Action Plan:
1. To raise the priority accorded to non-communicable disease at global and national levels and to integrate prevention
and control of such diseases into policies across all governments
2. To establish and strengthen national policies and plans for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
3. To promote interventions to reduce the main shared but preventable risk factors for non-communicable diseases:
unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol
4. To promote research for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
5. To promote partnerships for the prevention and control of non -communicable diseases
6. To monitor non-communicable diseases and their causalfactors and evaluate progress at the local, nationa,l and global
levels
Global Initiative for Mental Health
The “Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020” is the result of extensive research and consultations by
stakeholders, member-nations, academic and non-government centers across the globe. The mental health action plan
should be impartial, life-based, and preventive in nature. It basically addresses the following:
 To fight and alleviate negative trends in mental health,
 To improve and make mental health services and care accessible, and
 To prevent abuse of rights and unjust treatment against people with mental problems, disorders, and disabilities
which are still prevalent around the world.
The United Nations Development Program’s Quick Wins
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) works with different nations and organizations to withstand crises
empower lives and improve the quality of life for all. One of the UNDP’s intervention programs to achieve the eight
millennium development goals is called Quick Wins.
Quick Wins are actions that can be immediately used within the community or locale to produce effective results. If
applied continuously, Quick Wins could change people’s views, and beliefs and trigger actions which could lead to
helping millions of lives and countries find their right path towards the goals.

13. Examples ofUNDP’s Quick Wins:
 No school fees and free access to educational materials and facilities in schools to ensure that all children attend
classes. This eliminates poor families’ concept that education is only for those who can afford it. Finances can
include donor assistance from partnerships with private groups.
 Children are provided with free school meals and take-home rations using locally produced food.
 Regular annual deworming for all school children especially in impoverished areas to improve health and
education.
 Provision for poor farmers of affordable supplies of soil nitrogen and other soil nutrients.
 Design community nutrition programs for pregnant, nursing mothers and children below five years of age. These
includes breastfeeding, feeding programs and micronutrient supplements like vitamin A and zinc.
 Offer basic skills training of community members in health, farming, technical-vocational, and infrastructure.
 Free basic health services sponsored by private organizations.
 Expanded access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. These includes family planning
information campaign and services.
 Distribution of free, effective and efficient insecticide-treated bed nets to families especially in malaria and
dengue-endemic areas.
 Active national and local campaigns to reduce violence against women and children.
 Reform and enforce legislation protecting and empowering women’s and children’s rights.
 Empowering women to play an important role in formulating and monitoring poverty reduction strategies,
programs and policies.
 Allowing government-owned hospitals, health centers,schools and other social service institutions free access to
electricity, water,sanitation and internet using sustainable and renewable energies like solar panels, wind and
geothermal generators.
 Plant endemic trees at the community level to provide shade,produce, watershed protection, windbreak and
timber.
SUMMARY
Global health initiatives are programs and projects which help address global health issues, concerns,and trends.
Global health is a new trend in which the World Health Organization addresses health concerns in cooperation with
member-nations and private international organizations as partners. Some of these health issues, concerns, and trends are
about mental health, pollution, climate change, environmental sanitation, tobacco control, harmful use of alcohol, and
prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Along with the health initiatives to prevent if not reduce the prevalence of health problems, the United Nations
formulated the eight millennium developmental goalsin the year 2000 so that nations across the world can reduce poverty
and hunger, promote universal education for all and gender equity, reduce mortality among children, improve maternal
health, combat HIV/AIDs,malaria, and other communicable diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop
global partnership in addressing global problems.
Among the global health initiatives led by the World Health Organization are: Stop TB, Roll Back Malaria,
Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS,Malaria and other diseases,Framework Convention on Tobacco Control,
Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan, Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol and Global Strategy
for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.
GLOSSARY
AIDS means Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome. It is a serious and most often fatal
communicable disease of the immune system transmitted through body fluids like blood, plasma
and mucous usually by blood transfusion, sexual contact, and use of contaminated syringe
Alcohol a gateway drug which depresses the centralnervous system. It is an active ingredient in
beverages like brandy, beer, rum and wine
Cancer malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell reproduction. It may spread
to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood
Cardiovascular disease disease of the heart and blood vessels
Childhood meningitis communicable disease characterized by inflamed meninges (the tissues that surround the brain
and spinal cord) caused by bacteria with symptoms like headache,nausea,fever,and stiff neck
Communicable disease any disease transmitted from one person to another by direct or indirect contact
Diabetes a non-communicable disease characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels with symptoms
like excessive urination and persistent thirst
Health issue any of the important statements in health that is in dispute and must be settled
Health trend any general tendency to change in health concepts, information, skills, and values
Hepatitis inflammation of the liver caused by a micro-organism or a toxin
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes the Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome
Hypertension a disorder in the artery which makes blood pressure abnormally high

14. Gender the attributes which distinguishes a person on the basis of reproductive roles
Global health the health of the world as a whole; the area of study, research and practice which gives
priority on improving and achieving equal health for all people worldwide
Global health initiative a program or strategy which addresses global health issues, concerns, and trends
Immunization the act of making a person immune from certain diseases
Influenza an acute communicable disease characterized by high fever that lasts for days, nausea,
body pains, and fatigue that lasts for days
Information and
communication technology
the integration of information and communication technology with the use of media like
computers and other telecommunication devices
Malaria a communicable disease caused by plasmodium parasites transmitted through mosquito
bites; characterized by chills and fever
Malnutrition insufficient or excessive intake of food and nutrients; inability to absorb food properly
Maternal health the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period.
MDG also known as the Millennium Development Goals; are eight goals of the United Nations
to address global health issues and concerns
Mosquito-borne disease a communicable disease transmitted by mosquitoes
Multi-drug-resistance a condition enabling disease-causing micro-organisms to resist drugs and medicines
Non-communicable disease disease not transmitted through direct or indirect contact and non-infectious
Non-renewable energy energy from a source that is not sustainable as it takes billions of years to form; e.g.
fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas
Obstetric-gynecology a branch of medical science which specializes in treating diseases of the female
reproductive organs and delivering babies
Pneumonia disease of the respiratory system characterized by inflammation of the lungs caused by
bacteria, virus, or irritants
Postnatal occurring after birth or delivery
Poverty the state of having no money and personal properties; living below minimum economic and social
standards
Prenatal occurring before birth or delivery
Renewable energy energy from a sustainable source like geothermal, water,solar, and wind
Reproductive health the state of physical, mental, emotional and social well-being in all matters related to the
reproductive system throughout life
Respiratory disease disease of the respiratory system including the upper respiratory tract, the nerves and the muscles
surrounding it
Stroke the loss of brain function due to lack of or disturbance in the normal blood supply to the brain
Tobacco the leaves of the tobacco plant which are dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
Tuberculosis infection of the lungs but may also occur in other body parts as caused by a bacteria which causes
lesions (cut or break in tissue)
Vaccine a substance consisting of weakened or dead pathogenic cells injected to stimulate production of
antibodies against a disease or a group of infections
Yellow fever a fatal communicable disease affecting the liver and kidneys transmitted by mosquito bites and
common in tropical countries
Acronyms
DOH – Department of Health
FCTC – Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
ICRC – International Committee of the Red Cross
TB-DOTS – Tuberculosis – Directly Observed Treatment Short Course
UN – United Nations
UNDP – United Nations Development Plan
WB – World Bank
WHO – World Health Organization

15. Unit 4: Planning for a Health career
A career is an occupation or profession that requires special training.
Health careers are designed to familiarize students with the various careers in the medical profession and allied health
services.
Why pursue a health career?
YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES
• Good salary
• Job Security
• Do work that interests you
• Find a health career that fits your educational plans
• A clear path to advancement
• Work with people (or not)
What are the components and steps in making a health career plan?
1. SelfAssessment
Discover your personal strengths through self-assessments (values,interests, personality, testing, skills, etc.
2. Career Exploration
You can explore different careers and work environments through career fairs, online research, meetings, internships,
alumni connections, professional resources
3. Decision Making
Before you decide on taking a career that works for you, you can evaluate and narrow down your options through listing
the pros and cons, comparing your personal strengths and interests, and deciding which career fulfills both current and
future goals.
4. Plan of Action
Plan achievable goals and develop strategies to reach your goals, organize your goals into smaller steps, identify actions
for each step,utilize helpful people and resources,review and adapt your plan regularly
What are examples ofhealth career pathways?
1. Disease Prevention and Control
People who specialize in this career path focus on communicable and non-communicable diseases. Their work includes
immunization, screening of newborns, promotion of breastfeeding, infant diseases prevention, adolescent healthcare, and
life skills.
Sample Careers:
Community Health Work
Education and Research
2. Personal Healthcare
Professionals in this field perform healthcare related tasks in a personal care level. These include monitoring patients;
administering and assisting in personal care and hygiene; performing housekeeping duties; and advising clients on related
healthcare issues like infant care,hygiene and nutrition.
3. Maternal and Child Care
These health workers deal with complex public health issues that affect women, children and their families. These include
providing information on reproductive health, family planning, healthcare of pregnant women and their children, and
improvement of health delivery system through advocacy, education and research.
Sample Careers:
Midwifery
Community Health Educator
Outreach Specialist
4. Mental HealthCare
These medical professionals specialize in dealing with interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships and life skills. These
include cognitive and psychosocial development, promotion of healthy self-esteem through feelings and anger
management and identifying warning signs or red flags of learning disorders, such as ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders,
stress,and bullying.
Sample Careers:
Social Work
Clinical Psychology
Psychiatry
Guidance Counseling
5. Community Healthcare
Specialists in this area focus on the maintenance, protection, and improvement of the health of all community members.
Sample Careers:
Barangay/Community Health Work
Rural Sanitary Inspection

16. 6. Environmental Healthcare Management
These health workers try to establish the correlation between and among the physical, chemical, biological, social, and
psychosocial factors in the surrounding environment. These include monitoring the quality of environment and impact of
human activities on ecosystems,and developing strategies for restoring ecosystems.
Sample Careers:
Air quality monitoring
Soil science analysis
Hazardous and solid waste management
Environmental noise control
Radiological assessment
7. Drug Prevention and Control
People whose careers revolve around this area seek to reduce community and individual problems related to alcohol and
drug abuse through evidence-based programs and policy advocacy.
Sample Careers:
Drug Enforcement
Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
8. Nutrition
Specialists in this area find ways to balance individuals’ food and nutrition and their impact on patients’ health. These
include meal planning, food preparation and economics.
Sample Careers:
Clinical Dietetics
Food and Nutrition Management
Public Health Nutrition
Education and Research
9. Health Education
Those who work in this field are tasked with promotion of healthcare and training of health workers on managing change
in healthcare. Their work involves assessing individual and community needs, planning, implementing and evaluating
health programs, promoting the understanding of various health-related bahaviors plus coordinating health education
services.
Sample Careers:
Education and Research
Community Health Work
10. Dental Health
Dental health workers deal with various oral conditions which include chronic mouth and facial pain, oral sores,
periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, other diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity, and risk
factors for oral diseases which include unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, and poor oral hygiene.
Sample Careers:
Dental Hygiene
Dental Nursing
Dental health support
11. Occupational Safety
Careers in this path are related to the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. These include
protecting workers from sickness, disease,and injury arising from possible hazards of their employment and workplace.
Sample Careers:
Occupational Health and Safety Technician
Health Inspector
Industrial Hygienist
12. Emergency Medical Services
People assigned in this work specialize in out-of-hospital medical care. Their skills include first-aid procedures,
emergency medical treatment and transport of patients, rapid emergency medical response and immediate medical
attention.
Sample Careers:
Emergency Medical Aid
Paramedic

17. MEDICAL ANDALLIEDHEALTH PROFESSION
Along with medical professions, there are hundreds of allied health professions which complete the workforce in
contributing to the whole-person care of patients, support to healthcare professionals, and the efficient operation of
healthcare organizations.
Medical and Allied Health Professions
The medical profession is a group of individuals qualified to practice medicine. Allied health professions, on the other
hand, are lines of work that still deal with healthcare,but are distinct from medicine.
They have distinct and specialized knowledge and skills that actively work with people accessing health and disability that
are offered services across a range of settings. These professions include clinical laboratory or medical technology,
physical therapy, occupational therapy, dietetic services,medical record personnel, radiologic services, speech-language
pathology and audiology, and respiratory therapy.
Allied health professionals are healthcare practitioners with formal education and clinical training credentials through
certification, registration and/or licensure. They collaborate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to
deliver high quality patient care services for the identification, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disabilities, and
disorders.
Technicians are those who undergo training to perform specific procedures. They are required to work under the
supervision of technologists or therapists. This category includes physical therapy assistants, medical laboratory
technicians, radiological technicians, occupational therapy assistants, recreation therapy assistants and respiratory therapy
technicians.
Therapists or technologists have more intensive training, which includes acquiring procedural skills. They evaluate
patients, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and understand the rationale behind various treatments in order to
judge their appropriateness and potential side effects. They also assess patients’ responses to therapy and make
appropriate decisions about continued treatment or modification of treatment plans. Furthermore, they are licensed to
perform these tasks.
Allied health professionals provide services and engage in activities which include:
 prevention - keep illness or injury from happening
 assessment/evaluation - appraisalof the condition based on the patient’s subjective report
 identification/diagnosis - analysis based on signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings
 treatment - management and care of a patient or the combating of disease or disorder
 rehabilitation/habilitation - treatment designed to recover from injury, illness, or disease towards a normal
condition as possible
 advocacy - a method by which patients, their families, attorneys, health professionals, and citizens’ groups can
work together to develop programs that ensure the availability of high-quality healthcare for a community
 promotion of health and well-being - the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its
determinants, and thereby improving their health
 education - the process of sharing and gaining knowledge
 research - the diligent inquiry or examination of data,reports, and observations in a search for facts or principles
What are the allied health professions that we presently have in the Philippines?
1. Audiologist – identifies and rehabilitates hearing impairments and related disorders
2. Chiropractor - diagnoses and treats neuromuscular disorders, with emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment
and/or manipulation of the spine.
3. Clinical psychologist - assesses,diagnoses,treats and helps prevent mental disorders
4. Dietitian / Nutritionist - promotes good health through proper diet and treatment of diseases
5. Emergency Medical Technician – also known as ambulance technician; responds quickly to any emergency and life-
threatening situation to immediately treat serious injuries, physical or mental trauma to increase a patient’s chances of
survival
6. Guidance Counselor - assists students with personal, family, education, and career decisions and concerns; also helps
them develop job-finding skills and other life skills needed to prevent and deal with problems
7. Health Educator - specializes in health education and promotes the development of health knowledge, life skills, and
positive attitudes toward the health and well-being of students
8. Massage Therapist - performs the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing
those tissues; uses manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure on affected parts of the body
9. Medical assistant – performs,under the direction of a physician, various routine administrative and nontechnical
clinical tasks in hospitals, clinics, and other similar facilities
10. Medical technologist – performs a variety of tasks on body fluids, from simple blood tests to more complex tests to
uncover abnormalities in the body, and underlying causes of illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS,diabetes, and cancer which are
not easily detected through physical examination
11. Midwife - professionals with the expertise and skills in helping women maintain healthy pregnancies, assist in or
perform childbirth delivery, and help in women’s recovery process through the postpartum period
12. Nurse - trained to provide care for people who are sick or injured; monitors patients’ health and records symptoms,
assists physicians during examinations and treatment,and administers medications.
13. Occupational therapist - uses purposeful activity and interventions to maximize the independence and health of any
client who is limited by physical injury or illness, cognitive impairment, psychosocial dysfunction, mental illness, or
learning disability

18. 14. Orthotist/Prosthetist – makes and fits prosthetics or artificial parts for the human body
15. Paramedic - gives emergency medical treatment or assists medical professionals in emergency situations
16. Pharmacist - prepares and dispenses medication prescribed by licensed health professionals; also provides
information to patients regarding drugs, and consults with healthcare professionals on advances in drugs or medicine
17. Radiologic Technologist/Radiographer - healthcare professionals who perform imaging procedures, such as x-ray
examinations, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and Computed Tomography (CT) scans (health careers.org)
18. Physical Therapist - examines,evaluates, and treats physical impairments through use of special exercise,application
of heat or cold, and other physical modalities
19. Speech Language Pathologist - diagnoses and treats patients with functional and organic speech defects and disorders
20. Phlebotomist - professionals with special training in phlebotomy or drawing blood from patients
21. Radiation therapist - administers radiation therapy services to patients and observes patients during treatment; other
duties may include tumor localization, patient follow-up, patient education, and record keeping
22. Respiratory therapist - specializes in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function and health; regularly deals
with various chronic respiratory diseases,such as asthma and emphysema
23. Social Worker - investigates, treats,and gives aid to people with social problems and helps people with mental illness,
serious health conditions, financial difficulties, substance abuse problems, domestic or child abuse, unwanted pregnancy
and other social problems
There are also allied medical professions whose specialized training is available in other countries.
1. Cardiovascular technologist - uses imaging technology to help physicians diagnose patients with cardiac (heart) and
peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments
2. Clinical officer - performs general medical duties such as the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury,
recommendation and interpretation of medical tests,performance of routine medical and surgical procedures, and referral
of patients to other practitioners
3. Dental hygienist - specializes in the removal of calcaneous deposits and stains from patients’ and provides additional
services and information on prevention of oral diseases
4. Diagnostic medical sonographist - uses ultrasonic imaging devices to produce diagnostic images, scans,videos, or 3D
volumes of patients’ anatomy
5. Kinesiotherapist - develops and monitors exercise programs to help people regain muscle strength and function lost due
to injury or disease
6. Neurophysiologist - specializes in the diagnosis of conditions affecting the nervous system such as neuromuscular
diseases,epilepsy, and nerve entrapments
7. Medical dosimetrist - designs treatment plans for patients by means of computer and/or manual computation to
determine a treatment field technique that will deliver the prescribed radiation dose while taking into consideration the
dose-limiting structures
8. Medical radiation scientist - performs complex diagnostic imaging studies on patients and plans and administers
radiation treatments
9. Music therapist - uses music within a therapeutic relationship to address a client’s needs,such as facilitating movement
and physical rehabilitation, motivating the client to cope with treatment, providing emotional support, such as an outlet for
expressing their feelings through music
10. Nuclear medicine technologist - performs imaging procedures using radioactive drugs and materials to make
diagnostic evaluations of the anatomic or physiologic conditions of the patient’s body, and facilitates therapy with the use
of unsealed radioactive sources
11. Orthoptist - investigates, diagnoses and treats defects of binocular vision and abnormalities related to eye movement;
involves seeing patients of all ages from infants to the elderly
12. Pedorthist - are foot orthotic and orthopedic footwear experts trained in the assessment of lower limb anatomy and
muscle and joint function
13. Perfusionist - assists in performing procedures that involve extracorporealcirculation, such as during open-heart
surgery or hypothermia
14. Surgical technologist - a member of the surgical team who serves as a scrub technician or as a circulator
HEALTH CAREERORIENTATION PROGRAM
A Health Career Orientation is an activity –based career exploration to broaden your knowledge about careers in the
health field. Health career orientation helps you to:
 evaluate and assess such factors as personalneeds, interests and skills
 provide an opportunity to identify and explore health careers
 learn about the duties and responsibilities of health professionals
 acquire an awareness of a wide variety of educational training and resources for both academic and vocational
fields
 pursue health career pathways for future education/ training

19. SUMMARY
A career in health will give you the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. A wide range of healthcare
career pathways will provide you with what area you want to focus on, flexibility, and a variety of ideas and opportunities
to pursue your personal development.
You need to identify your interests and skills, expose yourself to the different available careers, and decide on a
career that works for you and your plan of action.
The medical profession comprises a group of qualified and dedicated individuals whose vision is to ensure that
every person is healthy, free from any form of illness or disease. They may be physicians with their own specialized field,
or allied health professionals who complement them, such as nurses, physical therapists, medical technologists, among
others. To start a career in health, you must go through several years of formal education, an extensive clinical training,
and finally, certification to be officially recognized and duly licensed to practice as a health professional.
Health career orientation will help you identify and explore health careers,and acquire awareness of a wide
variety of educational training and resources for both academic and vocational that motivate you to pursue a career in
health.
GLOSSARY
Allied health professions healthcare professions that complement the medical profession, such as nursing,
pharmacy, medical technology, physical therapy
Career an occupation or profession, especially one requiring a special training followed as
one’s lifework
Career pathways clusters of careers and occupations that are grouped because of shared skills
Health careers designed into familiarizing students with various careers in the medical professions
Health career Planning an individual planning in making a career choice, growing in the chosen career or
making a career shift. Career planning involves a very important step of self-
assessment.
Health career Orientation an activity-based career exploration to broaden your knowledge about careers in the
health field
Medical profession body of individuals qualified to practice medicine