Consumer Health Understanding

Consumer Health

• Focuses on developing skills to evaluate and use health information and services effectively.
• Involves decision-making related to the expenditure of time and finances for personal health.

Components of Consumer Health

• Health Information: Involves facts about health products, including ingredients, nutrition, expiration dates, and usage instructions.
• Health Products: Encompasses items used for health, like medicines, food, beverages, and exercise tools.
• Health Services: Refers to facilities providing health care, including hospitals, clinics, and professionals like doctors and nurses.

Healthcare Providers

• Health Professionals: Individuals licensed to practice medicine or allied health programs.
• Healthcare Facilities: Institutions or locations that deliver health-related services.

Consumer Awareness

• Get acquainted with products and services before making purchases.
• Be critical of marketing tactics and sales pitches.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

• Standard practice involves medicine from licensed professionals with MD or DO degrees.
• Four Major Domains:
  • Biologically-based practices: Use of herbal remedies and specialized diets.
  • Energy Medicine: Involves the application of magnetic fields.
  • Manipulative and Body-based Practices: Focus on bodily movements and therapies.
  • Mind-Body Medicine: Centers on mental exercises and the belief in the brain's influence on health.

Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Healthcare (PITAHC)

• Established under Republic Act NO. 8423, collaborating with the Department of Health.
• Serves as the regulatory authority for traditional and alternative medicine practices.

PITAHC-Approved Alternative Modalities

• Naturopathy: Views diseases as an imbalance of the body's self-healing ability; includes practices like herbal medicine and acupuncture.
• Acupuncture: Involves inserting thin needles to balance energy within the body.
• Acupressure: Utilizes hand pressure on certain body points to promote healing.
• Nutritional Therapy: Offers personalized diets for various health conditions.
• Ventosa: Uses suction cups and fire to alleviate muscle and joint discomfort.
• Reflexology: Targets specific health issues through foot massage.
• Herbal Medicine: Utilizes effective herbs approved by health authorities for various ailments.

Herbal Remedies

• Akapulko: Treats skin infections.
• Ampalaya: Benefits non-insulin dependent diabetes patients.
• Bawang: Helps manage blood pressure.
• Bayabas: Acts as an antiseptic and dental care option.
• Lagundi: Relieves cough and asthma symptoms.
• Niyog-Niyogan: Effective against intestinal worms.

Product and Service Evaluation Criteria

• Evaluate products based on safety, environmental impact, quality, and price.

Types of Consumers

• Intelligent Consumer: Focuses on essential needs and manages spending based on financial capability.

This quiz focuses on consumer health, emphasizing the ability to evaluate and utilize health-related information, products, and services. It covers essential components like health information, health products, and decision-making related to health spending. Test your knowledge on how to make informed choices about health in everyday life.