Medical insurance in the Philippines seems to be taking a more commercial hold in that it has become more available for every Filipino via the government’s HMO called PhilHealth as well as private institutions making their services more affordable. But with all things considered, one of the sectors that we need to give a more customized health benefit experience to might be those in the sports industry.
Injury. Injury is a key concern that is always present in any sport. Although it is more common in contact sports, even non-contact sports makes the human body vulnerable to a multitude of injuries like Achilles tendinitis, shin splits, or runner’s knee among other things. Injury to professional athletes is real and is very common which leads us to believe that they should be afforded occupational insurance. But this coverage only recently saw better attention from Philippine legislation. In 2013, the Senate Bill 3322 was passed giving retirement, health care and death benefits to athletes in honor of their contributions to the country, specifically if they had won championships in international sports competitions. It’s a good start but even its death & medical insurance coverage is very limited in that local sports stars that never leave the country might never enjoy these benefits. Take the PBA for example, the league that has been a sports staple that almost ritualistically inculcates every Filipino into the culture so in love with basketball. Only very rarely are players drafted (Team Gilas) into international events and even so, Gilas is only representative of a small fraction of the complete roster of league players. As far as being able to provide coverage to athletes in their prime, private organizations providing non-specific insurances are afforded to them. Some international special risk providers like Sutton actually provides professional sports insurance for athlete in Europe and North Americas. Remember how Michael Christian Martinez, winner of 19 international medals for skating, got little to no help from the government in representing the Philippines? It’s high time we put a stop to that. For a culture so deeply in love with sports, I take it it’s time we gave our athletes not only more attention, but more helpful action not just from the sidelines but also through practical and comprehensive bills that provide extensive medical insurance, financial benefits, and talent growth opportunities.
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The World Health Organization is an international institute that has been looking after the well-being of the members of the United Nations since its establishment in 1948. Since then, United Nations has religiously fulfilled its role in uplifting the world’s health and played major parts in eradicating smallpox and controlling other communicable diseases such as HIV or AIDS, Ebola, Malaria, and tuberculosis. It is the lead and front running body in educating the public about sexual and reproductive health, development and aging, nutrition, food security, healthy eating, occupational health, and substance abuse. Yearly, it gathers budget from voluntary contributions from all around the world. Each year, the World Health Organization publishes World Health Statistics to help interpret the current status of the world’s health through numbers. These are taken from various significant studies and are carefully plot down into meaningful numbers. The indicators used in this report have been included on the basis of their relevance to global public health, on data availability and quality, and on the reliability and comparability of the resulting estimates. Taken together, these indicators provide a comprehensive summary of the current status of national health and health systems in the following nine areas:
image source: http://www.salute.gov.it/ WHO presents World Health Statistics 2015 as an integral part of its ongoing efforts to provide enhanced access to comparable high-quality statistics on core measures of population health and national health systems. Unless otherwise stated, all estimates have been cleared following consultation with Member States and are published here as official WHO figures. However, these best estimates have been derived using standard categories and methods to enhance their cross-national comparability. As a result, they should not be regarded as the nationally endorsed statistics of Member States which may have been derived using alternative methodologies. The World Health Statistics 2015 has presented these status and trends. - Between 1990 and 2013, the number of children affected by stunting declined globally from 257 million to 161 million, representing a decrease of 37%. - Progress in child survival worldwide has been described as one of the greatest success stories of international development, with child deaths being almost halved over the last two decades compared to the 1990 MDG baseline. Between 1990 and 2013, the mortality rates of children under five declined by 49%, falling from an estimated 90 deaths per 1000 live births to 46 deaths per 1000 live births. - The prevalence of contraceptive use among women aged 15–49 years who were married or in a consensual union increased globally from 55% in 1990 to 64% in 2012. - In 2013, an estimated 2.1 million people were newly infected with HIV – down from 3.4 million in 2001. By the end of 2013 about 12.9 million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) globally. - Globally, an estimated 3.2 billion people are at risk of being infected with malaria and developing disease, with 1.2 billion at particularly high risk (greater than a one-in-thousand chance of getting malaria in a year). According to the latest estimates, 198 million cases of malaria occurred globally in 2013 and the disease led to 584 000 deaths. The WHO African Region bears the highest burden of malaria, accounting for an estimated 90% of all malaria deaths worldwide. More than three quarters (78%) of malaria deaths occur in children aged < 5 years. image source: http://thefuturesagency.com/
These trends and statuses in presented in the World Health Statistics 2015 will continue to affect the operations of the World Health Organization in years to come but most of all, it will also affect the landscape of the industries that has depended on the industry of healthcare. This could also affect the industry of healthcare outsourcing being one of the leading resource in providing immediate solution. Sources: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/170250/1/9789240694439_eng.pdf?ua=1&ua=1 http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=ascead;cc=ascead;q1=Szeming%20Sze;rgn=main;view=text;didno=US-PPiU-ua90f141 http://www.who.int/about/resources_planning/A66_R2_en.pdf http://whqlibdoc.who.int/cgi-bin/repository.pl?url=/hist/chronicles/chronicle_1947.pdf http://ww2.who.org.ph/ http://www.who.int/who60/media/exhibition_brochure.pdf http://whqlibdoc.who.int/smallpox/9241561106_chp9.pdf image source: http://amcadvert.com/ Being a professional makeup artist in the Philippines has always been seen by the public as a profession that banks on creativity and imagination. But if one will keep a closer eye on this occupation, it will also need good communication skills, patience and concentration, ability to work under pressure, attention to details, and willingness to adopt to change in order to excel. If you think that being a professional makeup artist is all fun and glamour, you have never been so wrong in your life. Being a professional makeup artist, like any other career, has it owns sets of occupational hazard. While it may be not as dangerous as those of policemen or soldiers who are deployed in the field, makeup artist can still put their health at risk while showing off their craft to the world.
Yes. You’ve read that right. Even a seemingly harmless profession such as being a makeup artist can be a life-threatening work. Makeups and cosmetic products sometimes contain chemicals that can be harmful in huge volume and may have beyond the skin surface effects. The American Cancer Society has also looked into the possibilities that cosmetics may also contain carcinogens that may cause cancer. As makeup artists who use these products as a medium for their work, they tend to be more exposed to the harmful effects of these substances. Lead, for example, is a contaminant that may be present in over 650 cosmetic products like sunscreens, foundation, nail polish, lipstick, and whitening toothpaste. It has been proven as a neurotoxin that can cause behavioral, learning, and language impairment. Another substance that is present on antifungal agent and antimicrobial creams and lotions, parabens is known to cause breast tumors as they are absorbed through the skin. Ethylene Oxide, an identified mammary carcinogens in animals, can also be found in some personal care products such as shampoos and body washes. Triclosan on the other hand, is used in antibacterial soaps, deodorants and toothpastes to limit the growth of bacteria and mold. The chemical, which is classified as a pesticide, can affect the body’s hormone systems—especially thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism—and may disrupt normal breast development. These are just few of the substances that can be found on cosmetic products that can pose hazard to both anyone who will be exposed to them. To keep the public safe from these substance and make sure that products containing these substances won’t reach the consumers, the Philippine Government has passed an act to ensure the safety and purity of foods, drugs, and cosmetics being made available to the public by creating the food and drug administration which shall administer and enforce the laws pertaining thereto also as the Republic Act No. 3720 or Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. One of its provisions is to create the Food and Drug Administration or DFA which is will inspect the food, drugs, and cosmetics. It is wonderful to think that even though the occupation a being a makeup artist is considerable an art that uses the cosmetics as medium and the human skin as their canvass, the government do not take lightly the hazards that they may exposed with. While this does not mean that they are totally free from any hazards, this is a good assurance that makeup artist can go share their craft to the world knowing that someone got their back. Gingivitis, an inflammation of gums, is the initial stage of gum disease and the easiest to treat. Yes it is the easiest! The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque. Plaque is the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth and gums. Some of the classic signs and symptoms of gingivitis includes red, swollen, tender gums that may bleed when you brush. Other sign is that gums have receded or pulled away from your teeth, giving your teeth an elongated appearance. Gum disease can cause pockets to from between the teeth and gums, where plaque and food debris collect. Hopefully we’ll not need any gum treatment in the future. Here are seven home remedies you can try to treat gingivitis. SALT Salt can be found on every home, right? I will bet that you have it! Slat is very effective remedy for gingivitis. Why? Due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties! Salt can help treat swollen and inflamed gums. Also, it draws infection out of any abscesses and inhibits the growth of bacteria in the mouth. How to do it? Add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of lukewarm water. Use this homemade saline solution to rinse your mouth once each morning and once each evening until the swelling of your gums is reduced. OIL PULLING A very Ayurdic practice, oil pulling is a popular practice that can help reduce bacteria which cause gingivitis. It can reduce plaque, strengthen gums and help maintain good oral health. How to do?
NOTE: Please do not swallow the oil BAKING SODA Baking soda is our teeth and gums friend. It is a popular gingivitis remedy. What it does is to neutralize the acids in the mouth, thereby, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It also works as a natural antiseptic to help prevent infections. How to do it?
ALOE VERA Aloe vera has antibacterial and antifungal properties that are very effective against gingivitis. It helps in preventing bacteria accumulation that cause plaque leading to gingivitis, and relieve pain and soothe inflamed teeth and gums. How to use it?
GUAVA LEAVES These leaves are considered effective for providing relief from toothaches and gum disease due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Guava leaves contains guaijaverin acts as an antiplaque agent. How to use it?
PEPPERMINT Peppermint has its unique antibacterial and antiseptic properties that are used in gingivitis treatment. It can also reduce inflammation and bacteria that cause bad breath. How to do?
TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil has these antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties that are recommended for treating chronic gingivitis. Tea tree oil gives quick relief from irritated and inflamed gums. Use tea tree oil toothpaste to brush your teeth. If there is no available tea tree toothpaste in your area, just add a drop of tea tree oil to your regular toothpaste. Never swallow tea tee oil, it may cause stomach irritation and diarrhea. Teeth’s whitening is everybody’s concern. In fact, a lot of people spend hundreds of dollars for tooth whitening products, services and procedures, but tooth whitening can be not that expensive. Yes.
Last week I visit my teeth whitening Makati dentist for a regular check-up and as the procedure goes on, he talks about Dos and Don’ts regarding whitening out teeth and that is what I want to share with you today! Let’s get started. First, let’s talk about the 3 Don’ts. Do not use baking soda! This is what makes me listen to my dentist. When I heard “baking soda” my mind stops thinking and focusing only to the question, did I really hear baking soda? Why! A lot of blogs and websites say that baking soda is good. Why is it then a don’t? According to a men’s magazine, baking soda is an abrasive, meaning it will help remove stains, but can also be harmful if use continuously. It can wear away enamel, which is the cause why your teeth will look darkened. Woosh! Do not eat dark foods! My dentist told me that I must stay away from dark foods. I said why, and he said that according to Dr. Debra Glassman’s (a dentist in Manhattan) “Do not Eat” list, foods that have very dark pigmentation like blueberries, marinara sauce and soy sauce, can cause teeth staining. Check this out for a list of food that may cause food stains in your teeth. Do not guzzle sports drinks If you will read the link above, you now know that tea, coffee and red wine are the usual cause of teeth stains and in addition to that, you must stay away from sports drinks. These beverages have acid that cause same effects as eating citrus fruits (like lemons and oranges), only your teeth are bathing in it. Using a straw while drinking these teeth stain-causing drinks can protect your little white friend. Now let’s go for the 5 Dos Do change your tooth brush regularly A whiter teeth is as easy as replacing your old tooth brush regularly! According to dentists, toothbrushes have only a lifespan of three months and we must replace them afterwards. After three months, your toothbrush’s bristles begin to worn and bend, and with these, they are not cleaning your teeth properly anymore. Do brush your tongue Not all of us do tongue brushing. But brushing this swirly muscle in out mouth will not just produce fresh breath but it can also prevent stains and other mouth disease. The tongue can accumulate thousands of bacteria which can lead to teeth discoloration. In brushing your tongue, you can use a soft toothbrush and long strokes starting at the very back of the tongue. Rinse your brush after each stroke so that the bacteria on your brush can be remove without re-depositing it in on your tongue. Do rinse with apple cider vinegar This may be not effective as the other commercialized whitening products, but it is a natural and organic way to maintain healthy teeth and smile. Dentists recommend rinsing with two-thirds water to one-third apple cider vinegar, and swishing the solution for around one minute then, you’ll ready to show the world your luxurious smile. Do eat raw and crunchy fruits and vegetables Eating the fruit of the land and other crunchy foods is good for your body and your teeth. Eating raw carrots, nuts, cauliflowers and apples can keep your teeth clean, according to dentists. These foods help in cleaning your mouth by removing surface stains and plaques that will lead to cavities and other oral health problems. Check here for 7 Essential Fruits and Vegetables for Teeth Whitening Do use gel strays rather than strips There are debates about the effectiveness of whitening strips, because other dentists say that strips may not distribute the paste evenly. Teeth are normally darkest near the gum line, where the strips cannot reach. Instead, these dentists recommend the use of whitening gel trays. They tend to cover all parts of the teeth. |
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