Empowering Communities through Heart Health Education: Lessons Learned from the PHA-PCC Convention

HealthandFitnessph | Empowering Communities through Heart Health Education: Lessons Learned from the PHA-PCC Convention | The Philippine Heart Association-Philippine College of Cardiology recently held its 55th Annual Convention, with a special focus on advocacy for heart health. The convention featured an Advocacy Hour session titled “Usapang Puso sa Puso: From a Programmatic to a Policy Analysis”, which aimed to discuss the importance of promoting a healthier lifestyle and combating obesity to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

The event brought together a diverse group of guest-panelists who shared their expertise and insights on various topics related to heart health. Actress Cherry Pie Picache, known for her advocacy for self-care and wellness, emphasized the importance of starting to live a healthier lifestyle at any age. She shared how her son, student-athlete Nio Tria, serves as her lifestyle and wellness influencer-coach, inspiring her to make positive changes in her daily habits.

Dr. Carolyn Narvacan-Montano, representing the Philippine Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO), provided valuable tips on how to combat obesity, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. PASOO fully supports the PHA’s “PUSO MUNA” campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the link between obesity and heart health, and encourages individuals to prioritize their heart health.

ImagineLaw, represented by Atty. Mikhail Laurence Millan, serves as the PHA’s policy advocacy partner and has been instrumental in pushing for legislation to promote heart health. Atty. Millan highlighted the importance of policy changes, such as the Trans Fat Act, in creating a healthier environment for all Filipinos and reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the country.

The Advocacy Hour session provided a platform for meaningful discussions on the intersection of lifestyle choices, obesity, and policy advocacy in promoting heart health. The panelists emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach that combines individual responsibility with systemic changes to create a healthier society.

As the convention concluded, attendees were inspired to take action in their own lives and communities to prioritize heart health. The PHA-Philippine College of Cardiology remains committed to advancing the cause of cardiovascular health through advocacy, education, and collaboration with partners like PASOO and ImagineLaw.

In closing, the 55th Annual Convention of the Philippine Heart Association-Philippine College of Cardiology served as a reminder that it is never too late to start living a healthier lifestyle and taking steps to protect our hearts. By working together, we can make a positive impact on the health and well-being of all Filipinos.