You can do something to safeguard yourself and your family from health issues and leading causes of death.
Can I get coverage for illnesses for me and my family from illnesses? Questions like these have since become even more prominent coming from our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic. Health is no longer a topic of concern limited to older age groups. Now, even younger generations have taken a keener interest in health and wellness both in the physical and mental sense.
Protection for illnesses is possible and encouraged, especially since non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are consistently the top causes of mortality in the country. These health conditions may be caused or aggravated by poor lifestyle choices like being sedentary and consuming too much sugar, fats, and preservatives from processed food.
According to the 2022 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority¹, the top causes of death among Filipinos are ischemic heart disease* (also known as coronary artery disease, a usual sign of which is heart attack) and cerebrovascular diseases (e.g., stroke). Cancer, diabetes, and hypertensive diseases are also common causes of health-related deaths in the country.
While COVID-19, an infectious disease, remains on the list, the majority of the culprits are non-infectious and can be prevented to some extent.
If any of those NCDs run in the family, you may be at risk of acquiring it. Leading a healthy lifestyle could help minimize your risk or manage them. It is also important to get screened early for monitoring and prompt treatment.
Start healthy habits today
Developing healthy habits such as exercising and making better food choices are simple changes you can begin today. Make them sustainable by starting slow and attempting nothing drastic.
For example, start with 10 minutes of daily physical activity (e.g., walking) for a week. Gradually increase that to 20 minutes of mid-intensity exercise the following week until you get comfortable with incorporating physical activities into your everyday routine.
In the same vein, mindfully shift to a healthier diet gradually. Avoid crash diets and strict diets that exclude too many kinds of food at once. Focus first on introducing nutritious additions to your diet instead of thinking of what you can no longer eat.
For example, pair a vegetable side dish with your usual adobo or add more leafy vegetables to your nilaga. Then, introduce a healthier alternative to your favorite sugary or oily snacks. Give your tastebuds time to adjust until you develop a natural taste for the healthy stuff.
Vices like smoking and excessive drinking are also linked to increased risk for cancer and heart and liver diseases. If you're looking to let go of these habits, quitting cold turkey works for some, while others take a longer time to completely stay clean. Try both to see what would work for you.
Get protected for your peace of mind
Another kind of protection you can do for yourself and your family is investing in a health plan that will cover your medical needs.
As prices continue to rise, so does the cost of getting sick and hospitalized. The financial stress that may come from unforeseen expenses—not to mention the emotional and mental anguish of dealing with illnesses per se—often takes a toll on the patients and their families.
To prepare for unfortunate instances, invest in health coverage from one of the top insurance companies in the Philippines. You may, for example, consider AXA Philippines' various health plans that cater to your unique needs and budget. Some plans provide coverage for the top illnesses—cancer, heart attack, and stroke—and some of their early-stage conditions at an affordable price, and comes with built-in child coverage.
Meanwhile, other plans can be shared between the policyholder and their spouse, parent or adult child (18 years old and above), or a sibling; and it also includes built-in child coverage. There are others that provide lifetime comprehensive coverage for major and minor critical illness conditions, and a life insurance benefit in case of one’s untimely demise.
Know you can game plan your health today with AXA’s health coverage packages. Get in touch with an AXA financial advisor today.
¹https://psa.gov.ph/content/2022-causes-deaths-philippines-preliminary-31-january-2023
