DOH starts search for healthy lifestyle advocates

Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Health – Center for Health Development Regional Office-Cordillera is now accepting nominations for  2015 Outstanding Healthy Lifestyle Advocacy Awards (OHLAA) here.

The search is open to local government units, cities and municipalities, government, non-government and professional organizations, business and commercial establishments and academic institutions who are currently advocating preventive measures against non communicable diseases in their areas.

The OHLAA is a countrywide campaign of the DOH to advocate NCD control and prevention and eliminate behavioral risk factors which encourage lifestyle changes for a healthy community .

Chronic NCD is seen as the leading cause of mortality, morbidity and disability in the country primarily due to unhealthy lifestyle which hinders inclusive growth and development.

The award is divided into five categories for institutions or organizations effectively implementing policies, programs and projects for specific target population segments with categories, LGU City, LGU Municipality targeting communities, Workplace for government and private targeting employees and  schools, colleges and universities targeting students.

The policies and programs must be focused on all of behavioral risk factor interventions such as promotion of physical activity, healthy diet and nutrition, tobacco control and control of harmful use of alcohol. 

Parties who wish to join the search can get in touch with DOH-CHDRO-CAR and fill-up the required OHLAA form.    

To qualify for the awards, an executive summary of the policies, programs and projects of not more than five 5 pages using 12 point set Arial or Times New Roman font must be submitted.

The following outline must be observed; Title of the Program; Rationale/Background; Objectives (General/Specific); Target Population/Coverage; Methodologies/Strategies; Resources/Budget; Results for 2013 and 2014 only; Conclusion/Recommendation.

A one-page description of the organization is also required.

Evidences of successful implementation of policies and programs in the last two years (2013-2014 only) will be reviewed and evaluated for the award and accomplishments outside of the given timeframe will not be considered.

Relevant documents such as work plans, sustainability plans, health promotion materials, videos/photos and other evidences of successful implementation must be submitted, written testimonials and recommendations from stakeholders and target population may also be attached. 

The documents must be submitted to the OHLAA 2015 secretariat c/o Dr. Ivanhoe C. Escartin, OIC-Director IV, Health Promotion and Communication Service, Department of Health, 2/F bldg. 18, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila, 1003 on or before June 1, 2015.

There will be three finalists who will be chosen per category for final judging and top winners per category will receive P300,000 each while the rest of the finalists will get P50,000 each and a plaque of recognition. 

The search and awards committee is composed of the Department of Health, Philippine Cancer Society, Framework Convention on Alliance Philippines, National Nutrition Council, Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators, Nutritionists-Dietician Association of the Philippines, University of the Philippines Diliman-College of Human Kinetics, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Philippine Heart Association and  Philippine Heart Center.