Rationale :

It has been said that the most common diseases and causes of mortality and morbidity are taking a great toll on the country’s human and economic resources.  However, the causes of the highest rate of mortality or morbidity in the country may be prevented by proper health and sanitation practices brought about by effective health education and awareness.  The public and private sector partnerships need to be harnessed for the fight against these leading causes.  We are cognizant that the education and awareness on the prevention of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among Filipinos are best achieved through integration with the health curriculum of primary and secondary levels.  There is, therefore a need to reassess and review existing health curriculum of primary, secondary and collegiate levels in order to refocus the same from curative to preventive aspects of diseases and other top causes of mortality and morbidity in the country.

The HERO or Health Education Reform Order was signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as an Executive Order on December 30, 2006, with the main objective of ensuring effective and efficient public health awareness campaign for prevention of common diseases through the education system.  It shall cover the health curriculum of primary, secondary and collegiate levels all over the country.

Modules on basic preventive health care for the top causes of morbidity and mortality shall be integrated into the curricula of all private and public elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities in the Philippines.  In this regard, existing health curricula of all private and public elementary schools and high schools shall be refocused from curative to preventive aspect of the top causes of morbidity and mortality in the country or in the locality, as the case may be.

Objectives of the Project

1.         To improve the healthcare system of the country  through HEALTH EDUCATION  in partnership with the government, legislators, educators, physicians, teachers, business sector, nonprofit, non-governmental organizations, associations, coalitions, in the prevention of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the country, with the ultimate goal of  creating a healthier  Filipino.

2.         To improve the quality of education of future doctors and nurses by changing the curriculum and emphasize the nobility of the medical profession, professionalism, and service above gain, so career options are not decided solely by economic factors. Additionally, with enhanced knowledge, competencies, and skills, they will be able to provide quality care to the patients.

Project Description

The HERO implementation is planned to take place in three stages:

Phase I   :   July 2007 – March 2008, HERO-UMDC Events  

Since baseline health parameters and health education levels are needed, physicians and dentists will examine students and teachers, and will also share information on the most common diseases and their prevention.  Posters and other teaching materials are to be left with the schools for self-scheduled cascades by the teachers.  The 9 science high schools under the DOST will pilot the health curriculum designed by Professor Josette Biyo and fellow science educators.       

Phase II  :  2008-2009, Institutionalized check-ups, Curriculum review and integration

With the learnings from phase I, the universal check-ups will be expanded as more LGUs are convinced to extend this service to their schools.  Meanwhile, the health curriculum of the elementary and high schools will be evaluated by an appointed technical working group to see how it can include basic preventive health concepts that relate to the top 10 causes of morbidity and mortality into either the Makabayan or Science subjects of each elementary and high school level.  

Phase III  :  2010 onwards, institutionalization of the preventive health concepts into the health curriculum of all private and public schools

The teachers will be expected to begin teaching the subject regularly. 

The main impact of this program is to empower people to take charge of their health and not be dependent on others. 

Topics to be included into the students’ curriculum : 

Ten Leading Causes of Morbidity in the Philippines (DOH)

1. Diarrhea
2. Bronchitis/ bronchiolitis
3. Pneumonia
4. Influenza
5. Hypertension
6. Tuberculosis
7. Diseases of the Heart
8. Malaria
9. Measles
10. Chickenpox

Ten Leading Causes of Mortality in the Philippines (DOH) 

1. Diseases of the heart
2. Diseases of the  vascular system
3. Pneumonia
4. Cancer
5. Accidents
6. Tuberculosis
7. COPD
8. Diabetes Mellitus
9. Diseases of the respiratory system
10. Nephritis/nephritic syndrome and nephrosis

Metrics of Success :   In the next 5 years :

1. Reduction in Burden of Communicable Disease
2. Reduction in Burden of Non-Communicable Disease
3. Reduction in expenditure for hospital care for the management of diseases

- Out of pocket costs

- Reimbursements from PhilHealth

- Expenses of Government Hospitals in Inpatient Care

1. Increased knowledge of teachers, schoolchildren and their families in both elementary and high school on preventive health concepts

- Documented through examinations of students and surveys of parents/ families

Download HERO-EO 595