Second National Communications
degradation with air carrying pollutants and particulates and its effects on the health of populations;7
and disasters from a perspective of affectation of health due to loss of limb and life.
2.1 National morbidity and mortality
The NOH recognizes that natural calamities like typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
are other major environmental hazards that are common in the Philippines. These hazards are more
difficult to control and mitigate. Although environmental disasters happen naturally, man-made
environmental degradation cannot be discounted as a major culprit in some instances. Because
diseases, disabilities and deaths are dire consequences of these hazards, the health sector is usually left
to handle the management and rehabilitation of victims. 8
In the Philippines, eight of the 10 leading causes of morbidity are infectious in nature. Among them are
pneumonia, diarrhea, bronchitis, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria, chicken pox and measles.9 We are still
challenged in responding to infections and would require availability of resources for effective and
efficient diagnosis and treatment as an adaptation mechanism for climate change.
Ten Leading Causes of Morbidity in the Philippines
Source: Philippine Health Statistics, 2000
Cause
Number
Rate/100,000
population
1.Diarrhea
866,411
1,134.8
2. Bronchitis
700,105
917
3. Pneumonia
632,930
829
4. Influenza
502,718
658.5
5. Hypertension
279,992
366.7
6. TB Respiratory
126,489
165.7
7. Diseases of the Heart
52,957
69.4
8. Malaria
50,869
66.6
9. Chickenpox
35,306
46.2
10. Measles
23,287
30.5
Ten Leading Causes of Mortality in the Philippines
Source: Philippine Health Statistics, 2000
Cause
Number
Rate/100,000
population
1. Diseases of the Heart
60,417
79.1
2. Diseases of the Vascular 48271
63.2
System
3. Malignant Neoplasm
36414
47.7
4. Pneumonia
32637
42.7
5. Accidents
32355
42.4
6. Tuberculosis, all forms
27557
36.1
7. Chronic Obstructive
15904
20.8
Pulmonary Disease and
Allied Conditions
8. Certain conditions
15098
19.8
originating in the Perinatal
period
9. Diabetes Mellitus
10747
14.1
10. Nephritis, Nephrotic
7963
10.4
Syndrome and Nephrosis
Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue and filariasis, are ever present danger in endemic
areas. Although malaria is no longer a leading cause of death, it has remained among the leading causes
of morbidity in the country, especially in rural areas. The surge in dengue cases occurring in cyclical
7
National Objectives for Health 2005-2010, Reducing Burden of Disease, Chapter 4, p.254. Available from
http://www2.doh.gov.ph/noh2007/NOHWeb32/NOHperSubj/Chap4/EnvironmentalHR.pdf
8
National Objectives for Health 2005-2010, Reducing Burden of Disease, Chapter 4, p. 249. Available from
http://www2.doh.gov.ph/noh2007/NOHWeb32/NOHperSubj/Chap4/EnvironmentalHR.pdf
9
Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS) 2002. Department of Health.
7