ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is encouraging Ilonggos to have a healthy lifestyle to avoid lifestyle-related diseases or non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The top 10 leading causes of mortality in the province last year, according to the IPHO, were:
* pneumonia (1,120)
* myocardial infarction (691)
* cancer – all forms (474)
* accident – all forms (300)
* diabetes mellitus (unspecified) (264)
* kidney diseases (257)
* coronary artery disease (253)
* chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (221)
* sepsis/septicemia (220)
* congestive heart failure (200)
IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said aside from pneumonia, accidents of all forms and sepsis, the seven other leading causes of death are NCDs.
She explained that myocardial infarction, cancer of all forms, diabetes mellitus, kidney diseases, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive heart failure due to age or genetics could also be acquired due to a person’s way of living and are preventable.
Quiñon urged Ilonggos to live healthily through regular exercise, adding that being physically inactive brings health risks; have a proper diet that includes fruits and vegetables, zero trans fat foods, or low fat or low sodium intake; and take vitamins and maintenance.
The IPHO head also advocates for early consultation and regular checking of blood pressure.
Quiñon also particularly mentioned avoiding vices such as alcohol and smoking or vaping.
“All these non-communicable diseases could have been modified or prevented. Aside from age nga indi ta ma-modify kay as we aged prone kita sa non-communicable diseases and also genetics nga non-modifiable factor nga indi ta maislan. But, may ara kita modifiable factors nga naga-lead sang NCDs, and what are these? Diet and lifestyle,” said Quiñon.
She added: “A reminder for everyone – please take care of your body and heart because we need a healthy heart for every beating heart in the province of Iloilo,”
IPHO data further showed that of the 300 deaths because of accidents (all forms) in 2022, the main factor of these road accidents involved motorcycles, and most drivers were under the influence of liquor or lacked proper driving lessons.
Because of this, Quiñon reminded motorists to take proper precautions and avoid drinking alcohol when driving./PN
