The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) and the InterAcademy (IAP) Partnership for Health, in collaboration with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the Nigerian Academy of Science, and the University of the Philippines Manila, conducted a two-day workshop entitled “ADDRESSING INEQUITIES IN HEALTH: FOSTERING ACTION ON SOCIAL DETERMINANTS” on October 3-4, 2016 at The Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila.
The workshop was mainly focused on (1) determining the issues on the social determinants of health (SDH) in light of the social, economic, environmental, and demographic factors within the ASEAN region and (2) formulating recommendations and moving forward interventions with intersectoral collaboration. Representatives from the Academy, national academies of science and medicine in the ASEAN region, private institutions, and government participated in this workshop.
As systematic differences in health and life expectancy between and within countries are found to be preventable, the workshop provided the participants with strategies and insights on how to document and address health inequities through action on social determinants, and allowed them to explore evidence-based advocacies with government in tackling health challenges and various health effects of systematic social inequities.
Dr. Fely Marilyn E. Lorenzo, professor of Health Policy and Management at the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, synthesized the discussions. National Scientist Ernesto O. Domingo, member of NAST PHL Health Sciences Division, gave the closing remarks.
The organizing committee was chaired by Academician Carmencita D. Padilla, member of NAST PHL Health Sciences Division and Chancellor of the UP Manila.