BY ALJAVE M. MONTEROLA AND LEE JOSHUA L. SARDOMA/DNSC Interns
A MEDICAL specialist from Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) urged the public to practice stronger prevention amid the growing threat of lifestyle diseases.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw on April 27, Dr. Marocel C. Montillano, SPMC’s Public Health Unit specialist under the Department of Family and Community Medicine, emphasized that many of today’s leading illnesses are no longer infectious but are driven by lifestyle factors.
“Kapag ang inyong kultura ay pinalaki ang mga anak na pinapakain ng processed food, ang pagkain na hindi natural ay ang aanihin nila balang araw,” Montillano said.
Montillano stressed that lifestyle diseases, while non-contagious and not strictly hereditary, are closely linked to behavior, environment, and cultural influences, particularly within families and communities, where early habits and food choices shape long-term health outcomes.
She said lifestyle medicine, an evidence-based approach, could help as it focuses on modifying daily habits to prevent and, in some cases, reverse disease.
Montillano also explained the six pillars that could be central to this approach, which include: proper nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, avoidance of harmful substances, and strong social connections.
“Health outcomes are influenced by several determinants, including healthcare services contribution (20%), individual behavior (30%), physical environment (10%), and broader social factors such as education, culture, and economic conditions (40%),” Montillano said.
She added that greater awareness among patients improves recovery prospects, as understanding the root of illness encourages compliance with prescribed treatment.
