Published Paper Details:

Globally, seven of the ten leading causes of deaths in 2019 were non communicable diseases or NCDs (ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neonatal conditions, cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias) which are perceived preventable by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These NCDs accounted for 44% of all deaths or 80% of the top 10. However, in 2019 all NCDs together accounted for 74% of deaths globally. Ischemic heart disease (IHD), responsible for 16% of the world's total deaths making it the world's biggest killer and has the largest increase in deaths in 2000 rising by more than 2 million to 8.9 million deaths in 2019. The 2nd and 3rd leading causes of death are Cerebrovascular Diseases (CVDs) or Stroke and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with approximately 11% and 6% of total deaths respectively (World Health Organization, 2020). Locally, the top three causes of death in the Philippines (from January to September 2022) were IHD (77,173 cases or 18.5% of the total deaths) CVD (42,890 deaths with 10,3% share) and neoplasms/cancer (42,497 recorded cases with 10.2% share) . Diabetes Mellitus ranked fourth with 26,744 cases with 6.4% share. Hypertensive diseases recorded 23,971 cases with 5.7% share making it the fifth leading cause of death (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2022). According to Dr. Jeanette Lazatin, the Provincial Health Officer of Tarlac, the top 10 leading causes of mortality (general population) in the province of Tarlac in 2022 are: Stroke, heart attack, cancer (all forms), multi-organ failure and Diabetes Mellitus (with unspecified complications), Pneumonia, Heart disease, Renal failure, Covid-19 and Essential (Primary) Hypertension. All identified causes of death can be prevented by lifestyle modification and health promotion. In the pursuit of fostering a healthy learning environment, educational institutions must prioritize not only academic excellence but also the overall wellness of their constituents. This involves creating spaces that encourage physical activity, providing nutritious food options, and implementing mental health support systems. By integrating wellness into the core values and mission of the institution, a culture of health becomes ingrained in the fabric of daily life, influencing the choices and behaviors of individuals within the academic community. Supporting the well-being of employees and staff is equally crucial in maintaining a healthy academic ecosystem. Education itself becomes a powerful tool for health promotion within the academe.