Health Risks Brief: 2025 4th Quarter
A look into local health-related laws, policies, regulations, and program; local and international diseases updates; and other seasonal health risks.
Executive Summary
Health-Related Laws, Policies, and Regulations
- A proposal to institutionalize free annual medical check-ups for Filipinos has been filed in the Congress on December 4, 2025, and is pending for first reading. The bill, introduced as House Bill (HB) 6638, also known as the Free Annual Medical Check-Up Act of 2025, seeks to provide all Filipino citizens with free yearly medical examinations.
Local Disease Updates
- The Department of Health (DOH) reported a 5 percent increase in cases of acute stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and bronchial asthma nationwide in the final days of 2025, based on disease surveillance data collected from December 21 to December 31. A total of 288 cases were recorded during the period, higher than the 274 cases logged in the same timeframe in 2024, with 31 new cases reported on December 31 alone.
International Disease Updates
- On December 10, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted an increase in seasonal influenza during the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere typically observed at this time of the year. The WHO identified a new variant of influenza A(H3), particularly subclade K from A(H3N2), as comprising a growing share of seasonal influenza detections. Reports note that symptoms between the usual strains of flu and the new variant do not vary significantly and the treatment for both regular flu and “super flu” remains the same such as taking flu anti-viral drugs, taking lots of rest, and drinking lots of fluids.
Weather and Natural Disaster Health Risks
- As the Northeast Monsoon or “Amihan” season prevails in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) reminds the public to take precautions against diseases related to cold weather, such as influenza-like illnesses (ILI). During the onset of cold weather, people are more prone to developing ILI such as the flu, common colds, and pneumonia. While ILI cases are commonly viral in nature and improve with proper care, if left undiagnosed or ignored, ILI cases can lead to more serious illnesses.
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