The Department of Health (DOH) recently revealed a United Nations (UN) estimate claims one in three people in the Philippines will die of a noncommunicable disease before reaching the age of 70. Among the ailments noted were cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or heart attack, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases such as emphysema.

DOH Secretary, Dr. Francisco Duque III, said the country faces “powerful commercial forces and industry interference” in combating such diseases and said the UN mission was invited to the country to help control the problem.

Experts from various UN organizations cited sin tax legislation and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages as effective initiatives in trying to control noncommunicable disease in the country. However, they also noted a lack of awareness among policymakers and gaps in implementation.

“We need urgent action taken at various levels of the government and engagement of all relevant stakeholders,” said World Health Organization representative for the Philippines, Dr. Gundo Weiler.

According to the Philippines government, heart disease and cancer are the top causes of death in the country./WDJ