1st grading HEALTH 10

“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). Health information is any concept, step, or advice that various sources give to aid the
health status of an individual. Thus, “should be timely, relevant, culturally appropriate, accessible, and delivered in a
relevant format” (Galvez Tan, et al., 2009). There is a great need to update oneself regarding current research and
evidence available in the field.
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).
Reliable sources of health information and products are licensed professionals who took up specialized and intensive
studies in the field.
“A healthcare provider is a trained professional who provides people with healthcare” (Meeks, et al., 2011).
“A healthcare practitioner is an independent healthcare provider who is licensed to practice on a specific area of the
body” (Meeks, et al., 2011).
“an allied health professional is a trained healthcare provider who practices under the supervision of a physician or
healthcare practitioner” (Meeks, et al., 2011).
Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare facilities are places or institutions that offer healthcare services. There are different types of healthcare
facilities (Meeks, et al., 2011).
a. Hospital
It is an institution where people undergo medical diagnosis, care and treatment. A hospital 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. On the other hand, outpatient care refers to treatment
that does not require an individual to stay inside the hospital.There are different kinds of hospitals: private, voluntary,
government, and teaching (Meeks, et al., 2011). 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.In the Philippines, there are two classifications of hospitals: general and specialty. General hospitals have
complete medical, surgical, and maternal care facilities. Some examples are the Philippine
General Hospital, Baguio General Hospital, Cebu General Hospital, and Davao Medical Center. On the other hand,
specialty hospitals handle a particular disease or condition or deal with only one type of patient. Some examples are the
Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, and 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..
`“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). This also may pertain to a “protection that provides benefits for sickness and
injury” (Meeks, et al., 2011).
It offers various types of coverage: “medical insurance, major medical insurance, hospitalization insurance, surgical
insurance, and disability insurance” (Meeks, et al., 2011). 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. 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 illnessesHealth
insurance may be sourced from both public and private companies. An example of public health insurance is 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.A 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. There are four major domains of complementary and alternative
medicine: biology-based practices, energy medicine, manipulative and body-based practices, and mind-body medicine
(Donatelle, 2006). Examples of biologically-based practices are taking herbal medicine and availing of special diets and
vitamins. Energy medicine uses magnetic 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 mental exercises in belief that the brain is central to the health of an individual. In our
country, Republic Act No. 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act of 1997 provisioned the creation of the
Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Healthcare (PITAHC), which works closely with the Department of
Health. The PITAHC is also the law-making body with regards to the effective use of traditional and alternative medicine.
Here are 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
There are 10 herbs that are proven and tested to have medicinal value and
approved by the Department of Health” (Galvez Tan, et al., 2009)
Examples of Alternative 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.

three forms of quackery are:

a. Medical quackery
Medical quackery includes cures, treatments, and remedies of various health conditions that are drugless or bloodless in
nature.
b. 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.
c. 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
.“Health insurance should cover standard risks of illness and injury for family members.” (Meeks, et al., 2011). There are
two types of expenses involved in health insurance: covered expense and exclusion. Covered expense refers to the
coverage of medical services that can be paid by the company issuing the health insurance. On the other hand,
exclusions are specific services that are not paid by the issuer. Forms of health insurance are not all the same. It is
important to study the plan before availing it. Here are some 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 Consumer Act of the Philippines is a law that protects the interest of the consumer, promotes general welfare, and
establishes standards of conduct for business and industry. There are 8 basic rights of a consumer according to the act
(Galvez Tan, et al., 2009).
This right guarantees survival, adequate food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, education and sanitation.
This is the right to be protected against the marketing of goods or the provision of services that are hazardous to health
and life.
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.
This is the right to choose products at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.
This is the right to express consumerinterests in the making and execution of government policies.
This is the right to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.
This is the right to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be an informed customer.
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. _________Health information____________ refers to any concept, idea, data, or figures that may aid to
the health status of an individual. ____Health products______________ 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, _____Health services______________refer to 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.