Health

The health situation in the Philippines is similar to that of a number of emerging economies, with communicable diseases having fallen in past decades but “lifestyle” factors like obesity and smoking causing an upsurge in cardiovascular disease and cancer. Spending on health is lower than in some neighbouring countries, but the government’s Philhealth programme is seeking to expand coverage through basic universal health care provision. Private services are widely used, although this has not been accompanied by a rise in private health care. This chapter has an interview with Enrique T Ona, Secretary, Department of Health.