Republic of the Philippines

National Capital Region

Division of Pasig
MONA LISA ACADEMY, INC.
Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, Philippines

Research Activity in MAPEH

(Health)

“CHOOSING THE RIGHT HEALTH

INFORMATION AND PRODUCT.”

Stacey Jahzeah Enriquez

Lovelle Quevedo
Leila Francheska Jalandoni
Rhia Margareth Poblete
Daniel Albert Delos Reyes
Xyrn Reed Meriel
 Republic of the Philippines
National Capital Region
Division of Pasig
MONA LISA ACADEMY, INC.
Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, Philippines

RESEARCH ACTIVITY
OBJECTIVES:

● Differentiates reliable from unreliable health information, products, and services;

● Explain the guidelines and criteria in the selection and evaluation of health information,
products, and services;
● Discuss the various forms of health service providers and health care plans.

I. What are three criteria you should consider when evaluating the credibility of health information,
products, and services found online?

Health informations, products, and services found online may not be reliable most of the time.
Anyone on the internet can post false health information online and because of that, we should evaluate
whether what we found is reliable and factual. It would be dangerous if we were to believe everything
we see on the internet especially if it concerns our health as it’s very fragile and should be protected
correctly. With all that being said, how do we evaluate the credibility of articles we see online?

When evaluating the credibility of health information, products, and services found online, we
should consider some things to make sure that we don’t consume or help spread misinformation. There
are three criteria we should keep in mind when rummaging through the internet, these are: accuracy,
credibility, and currency. We need to see if the information posted is accurate, and how accurate it is,
because if not it may be dangerous to us or whoever needs the health information we found. It’s also
necessary to know the credibility of our sources, who wrote it? A certified professional or some random
citizen? Lastly, we need to consider its currency. Some things lose their accuracy and credibility over
time, so it’s necessary to know whether or not the information, products, and services we found are
recent or not (UW Libraries, 2023).

II. When considering a new health product or supplement, what steps should you take to ensure its safety
and effectiveness?

First, we need to prioritize our safety by consulting experts, and gathering as much information
as possible before incorporating a new product or supplement into our routine.

One of the things we should consider is whether the product triggered any health warnings or
not. Any safety warnings or penalties issued against a product or its manufacturer can be found by
performing a search on the FDA website. The organization also keeps track of any recent product recalls
and market withdrawals.

We should ask ourselves, “Was the product tested by independent labs?” Checking whether a
product has been tested by independent labs is crucial for ensuring its safety and quality. Independent
lab testing involves unbiased third-party organizations assessing the product's ingredients, purity, and
adherence to quality standards. This testing provides an objective evaluation of the product's claims and
can uncover any potential contaminants or discrepancies. It adds an extra layer of trust and transparency,
as it reduces the likelihood of biased or misleading information from the manufacturer. When
considering a product, look for evidence of independent lab testing to verify its reliability and safety.

Some things are too good to be true, so we should consider whether or not a health product or
supplement is considered as that. Although manufacturers of supplements are forbidden from making
 Republic of the Philippines
National Capital Region
Division of Pasig
MONA LISA ACADEMY, INC.
Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, Philippines

unsubstantiated claims of health benefits, many opt for gentler claims like "supports immunity" instead
of stronger ones like "cures disease." Nevertheless, it is not uncommon to find tablets that make
irrational claims. According to the FDA, these situations are warning signs that a product might be
fraudulent in other ways.

“Is there evidence that the supplement does what it promises?”

Thousands of studies have been conducted on the effect of various substances on the human
body. In a number of information sheets, the National Institutes of Health has outlined what is known
about the vitamins and minerals that are the most often ingested dietary supplements. These describe the
physiological actions of each vitamin or mineral and the supporting scientific data for their effects on
health. Similar details about other medications, botanicals, and dietary supplements can be found on
MedlinePlus at the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Investigate the Library of Medicine's PubMed
Dietary Supplement Subset for more information on the science behind a particular supplement.
Scientific research on vitamin, mineral, phytochemical, ergogenic, botanical, traditional Chinese
medicine, and herbal supplements in people and animal models is available in the database.

Another thing worth considering is whether we need supplements or not. We should also know if
we’re taking the right amount or not. The best person to ask about whether vitamins or supplements are
right for you, according to health experts, is your doctor. A pharmacist or trained nutritionist may also
be able to offer helpful advice. People who are taking drugs should take extra precautions because some
supplements may affect how well they are being treated (Public Broadcasting Services, 2016).

III. What is the role of regulatory agencies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in ensuring the
safety of health products? Provide an example of a product they regulate

First things first, what is a Regulatory Agency? A Regulatory Agency is an independent

government body defined as a governmental or quasi-governmental body established by legislative order
to set standards, monitor, enforce, or operate in the private sector of the economy, and enforce those
standards.

The Food and Drug Administration (or FDA), which was established in 1906, is in charge of
defending the public's health by guaranteeing the security, efficacy, and safety of pharmaceuticals for
humans, animals, biological products, and medical equipment. As well as the security of the country's
food supply, cosmetics, and radiation-emitting goods. In short, the FDA is in charge of checking food
and medical products and then deciding whether they’re safe for consumption or not.

In order to safeguard the public's health, and lower minors' tobacco use, they are also in charge
of regulating the production, promotion, and distribution of tobacco products (Office of the
Commissioner, 2018).

IV. Explain the concept of evidence-based medicine and why it is important when making health-related
decisions.

First, before we explain why evidence-based medicine is essential when making health-based
decisions, we have to explain the concept of it. The scientific method is used by evidence-based
medicine (EBM) to organize and apply current information to enhance healthcare decisions. To make
the optimal medical decision for the patient, the best available science is merged with the clinical
expertise of a medical professional and the patient's values. EBM begins with a medical inquiry. The
healthcare professional discusses the clinical query with the patient. Following the formulation of the
clinical issue, pertinent scientific evidence related to the clinical issue is sought. Research in science
includes data from studies and expert opinions. As a result, in evidence-based medicine, the various
 Republic of the Philippines
National Capital Region
Division of Pasig
MONA LISA ACADEMY, INC.
Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, Philippines

types of data or evidence should be ranked in terms of relative strength. When doctors make medical
decisions, data with stronger and more conclusive evidence should be given more weight than data with
less.

The importance of EBM, or Evidence-based medicine, in health-based decisions is adequate as

the goal of evidence-based medicine is to enhance medical outcomes using the best available evidence.
EBMs help healthcare professionals provide a safer kind of treatment for their patients. The outcome
should be reevaluated in light of the clinical question after the intervention is carried out to determine
whether any changes were made (Simon, 2018).

V. When seeking health information, why is it crucial to consider the source of the information and the
potential for bias?

Bias is defined as prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or object compared to
another. If someone is biased, it means that they are looking through things unfairly.

It is crucial to consider the source of health information and the potential for bias because bias
can affect the validity and reliability of the information and lead to misinterpretation or misuse of the
data. Instead of reporting what’s true and factual about a certain product’s quality, some informants
choose to either give it too little or too much credit depending on what works out best for them and
whether or not they got a paid sponsorship to promote certain products.

If we don’t evaluate whether or not the health information is biased or not, we could be risking
our health over false and unfair claims from the internet (Haghighi,2023).

VI. What are some potential risks associated with relying solely on anecdotal evidence or personal
testimonials when choosing health products or treatments?

In evaluating health informations, it is important to pay attention to anecdotal evidence and

personal testimonials, however we shouldn’t rely on it entirely because medical products don’t work the
same on everyone. As an example, what could be a normal amount of dosage for one may be considered
as an overdose to another.

If we rely solely on anecdotal evidence and personal testimonials, we would be at risk of

consuming medicines that we shouldn’t be drinking. Some medicines may trigger an allergic reaction
called drug allergy which is a defense system of our immune system to signify the fact that this medicine
is not fit for our personal consumption (Mayo clinic, 2023).

To avoid these potential risks, it would be better if we consult our doctor about certain products
because as licensed professionals, they would know what’s best for you.

VII. What is the difference between a prescription medication and an over-the-counter (OTC) medication,
and how does this impact the way they should be chosen and used?

A prescription drug or medication is a type of drug that can only be given to a patient under the
written direction of a licensed healthcare provider. Most of the time, prescription drugs are regulated
because it’s abused or misused. Blood pressure pills, cancer medications, and potent analgesics are a few
examples of prescription medications.
 Republic of the Philippines
National Capital Region
Division of Pasig
MONA LISA ACADEMY, INC.
Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, Philippines

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as the name suggests, are drugs that can be bought over
the counter and are accessible to everyone. A few OTC medications provide pain and itch relief, some
prevent or treat diseases, and others assist in managing chronic issues including allergies and migraines.

The difference between OTC and prescription medicines is the fact that you can self-treat a
variety of ailments like allergies, headaches, joint pain, and more with OTC medicines, while
prescription medicines require a written or digital copy of the prescription from a doctor before being
given the drug. They are both regulated by the FDA, but the way they both are chosen and used sets
them apart.A prescription medication is only used if a doctor prescribes this specific medication, how
many times you should intake this kind of medication for your health and how it helps you cure your
sickness or injury. OTC medication is a non-prescribed medication wherein you can buy these kinds of
medication without a prescription, this only helps you to relieve any minor sickness or injuries that
doesn't require a specific amount of intake but always read the labels and follow the instructions given.
These kinds of medication can be bought in grocery stores, pharmacies, clinics, and etc.

VIII. How can you differentiate between health claims that are supported by scientific evidence and those that
are not? Provide an example of a health claim.
If you ever inspect the description of the food label you see on a product you might notice a health claim
about said product listing or tell the individual reading it about what the health claim is.

If you ever inspect the description of the food label you see on a product you might notice a
health claim about said product listing or tell the individual reading it about what the health claim is.
Health Claims in food labelings indicate the fact that the product has been reviewed or inspected by the
Food and Drugs Administration and is given authorization to show that the food or any of the
ingredients may reduce the likelihood of a disease or health-related issue or condition.

There are some health claims that can't meet the standard of the review, and so health claims are
split into two types: Authorized and Qualified health claims.

Authorized Health Claims are given because the health claim has been agreed upon by a bunch
of scientific experts that the claim is or can be supported by our current scientific evidence. This
agreement among experts can also be called Significant Scientific Agreement (or SSA for short)

Qualified Health Claims are health claims that do have support of some scientific evidence, but
can't meet the standard of the SSA. To confirm that they aren't false or misleading to customers and
consumers, Qualified Health Claims must have a disclaimer to accurately communicate the level of
scientific evidence supporting said claim.

In 1993 they published a rule for establishing a health claim that claims soy protein can reduce
heart disease since it is shown that there is current scientific evidence that shows this. But later in
October of 2017, the FDA revoked this after comparing it with current.

IX. What should you do if you're unsure about the safety or effectiveness of a health product or treatment?
Provide at least two steps to take in such a situation.

Nowadays, people can easily manipulate facts on the internet and because of that, trustworthy
and reliable sources may be hard to find. For this reason, it's important to do proper research if
something about the information we gathered seems fishy.
 Republic of the Philippines
National Capital Region
Division of Pasig
MONA LISA ACADEMY, INC.
Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, Philippines

There are websites made by the government with the purpose of educating citizens about factual
informations to keep them safe. If we feel as if the information we gathered is false, we can research
about it in sites ending with ".gov" which means it's made by professionals, with permission from the
government.

If we don't feel like our online research is enough, it wouldn't hurt to consult a doctor. They're
trained professionals so they can help us determine whether we'll be safe with the informations we
researched or not. You can ask your doctor about the important information you will need, for instance,
the side effects of the medicine you're going to use.

X. Give the role and function of the different agencies: DOH, FDA, PCHRD, DOST, CDC, WHO, UN,
PubMED.
One of the most known departments in our country is DOH. The Department of Health is what
helps our country maintain the order of our well-being. They provide health education and awareness
about serious illnesses. Similarly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is created to ensure the
safety and quality of products. This include food, medication, cosmetics, vaccines, and any consumer
products that require FDA regulations.

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) facilitates, and
organizes research activities to develop a more coherent agenda relating to the nation's health,
educational, and science and technology systems. This organization cooperates with the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST). DOST engages in support of the advancement of science and
technology. For this reason, DOST is named the National Laboratory. Partnering with the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC), both agencies advance our knowledge about the country's health and how to
maintain it. This department also collaborates with the Philippine government and local groups to
prevent and control illnesses, increase emergency preparedness and response, and expand global health
security capabilities.

With new technology that enhanced our modes of transportation, traveling to other countries has
become much more convenient. Because of this, the spread of viruses can easily go from one place to
another. Like the virus COVID-19, the sickness spread immediately, and the World health Organization
(WHO) immediately took action by alarming every country to be aware of this new situation. WHO was
created in 1948, soon before World War II ended. A lot has suffered greatly, from the loss of home to
the loss of loved ones. The world was in despair, but the nations wanted peace so that we could stop any
war from happening again, and for that reason, the United Nations (UN) was created. UN’s mission is to
maintain harmony and peace between countries to avoid any war, or injustice from happening again.
Since then, the world has been evolving. Technology has helped human life become more advantageous,
particularly in science. With the creation of the internet, Pubmed was shared with the public, making it
obtainable to search medical topics and scientific journals.
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MONA LISA ACADEMY, INC.
Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, Philippines

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