Doctors Warn: Leading Diseases Now Affect Younger Filipinos

CEBU CITY — A powerful and timely message took center stage during the inaugural Hisgutan Ta! session held at Waterfront Cebu City: health can no longer wait.

Dr. Debrah Ann R. Custodio, Chief of Clinics and Head of the Emergency Department of ARC Hospitals, cautioned that diseases once commonly linked to old age are now being diagnosed at alarming rates among younger adults. These include heart disease, stroke, cancer, pneumonia, and diabetes—conditions that are no longer distant health risks but urgent, present-day realities.

Leading Causes of Death in the Philippines

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, these illnesses ranked among the leading causes of death nationwide from January to April 2025. Health experts stressed that behind every statistic is a family affected, a future disrupted, and a life that could have been protected through early detection and prevention.

Dr. Custodio emphasized that health care should not begin in emergency rooms. Long work hours, unmanaged stress, unhealthy food choices, lack of sleep, and delayed medical checkups continue to drive lifestyle-related diseases across all age groups.

Hisgutan Ta! Promotes Preventive Health Action

The forum also marked the official launch of Hisgutan Ta!, a monthly media forum by Unilab designed to encourage open and relevant discussions between healthcare professionals and media practitioners. The initiative aims to strengthen public health awareness and empower Filipinos to take proactive steps toward disease prevention and healthier living.

Held every third Thursday of the month, Hisgutan Ta! serves as a consistent reminder that prevention remains the most effective form of care.

As the country moves into 2026, health experts urge the public to act now—stay physically active, eat balanced meals, manage stress, get enough rest, and schedule regular health checkups.

Living longer starts with living healthier.