Preliminary figures for 2023 indicated that ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in the Philippines. The number of people who died from this illness was estimated at 124,437. Following this, cancer resulted in the deaths of about 71,000 people. Eating habits Heart diseases have been linked to high meat consumption, among others. In the Philippines, pork has been the most consumed meat type, followed closely by chicken. While pork meat is typically produced domestically, the country also imports pork to supplement its supply. However, plant-based food has started gaining popularity among Filipinos. In fact, a 2024 survey revealed that 69 percent of surveyed Filipinos consumed plant-based products, including meat alternatives. Common diseases in the Philippines Aside from heart and cerebrovascular diseases, the Filipino population is also exposed to infections, diabetes, skin diseases, and illnesses resulting from high meat consumption. In 2020, over 700,000 Filipinos contracted acute respiratory tract infections, followed by over 400,000 diagnosed with hypertension. In areas with high exposure to rain, dengue infections and leptospirosis have also become prevalent.

In 2021, the leading illness in the Philippines was acute respiratory infection, with approximately 598,591 people diagnosed with this disease. This was followed by hypertension and animal bites. The morbidity rate of acute respiratory infection per hundred thousand population in the Philippines was at nearly 543.2 in that year.

In 2021, the leading illnesses among people living in the National Capital Region of the Philippines was hypertension, with over 69,453 cases. This was followed by acute respiratory infection and animal bites. Hypertension was one of the most common diseases among Filipinos.

In 2019, the majority of the ageing population among different age groups was diagnosed with high blood pressure in the Philippines. In contrast, only 0.4 percent aged 60 to 69 were diagnosed with osteoporosis.

In 2021, the leading illness among the male population in the Philippines was acute respiratory infection, with over 279,364 people having this disease. Other leading illnesses among the male population in the country were hypertension, animal bites, and skin diseases.

In 2021, acute respiratory tract infection was the leading disease among the female population in the Philippines, with approximately 319,227 people having this disease. Acute respiratory tract infection was also the leading disease among Filipino males.

In 2021, animal bites was the leading illness in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, with cases amounting to around 8,957. The other leading causes of morbidity in the region were hypertension and pneumonia.

In 2021, hypertension was the leading illness in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines, with over 24,672 cases. This was followed by acute respiratory infection, animal bites, and skin disease.

In 2021, ischaemic heart disease caused approximately 66,290 deaths among females in the Philippines. The other leading causes of mortality among Filipino women were neoplasms, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and pneumonia.

In 2021, the leading illness in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) of the Philippines was acute respiratory infection, with around 75,436 cases. This was followed by hypertension and urinary tract infection.

In 2021, acute respiratory infection was the leading disease in the CALABARZON region of the Philippines, with around 45,597 cases. Among the other leading illnesses in the region during this period were hypertension and heart diseases.

According to preliminary data for 2023, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in the Philippines. Deaths caused by this disease accounted for 19 percent of the total share of deaths in the country. This was followed by cancer, which held about 10.7 percent of the total registered deaths.

In 2021, hypertension was the leading disease in Davao region of the Philippines, with cases amounting to around 18,786. Acute respiratory infection was the next leading disease, affecting approximately 10,473 inhabitants within the region.

In 2021, acute respiratory infection was the leading disease in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines, with around 29,892 cases. Among the other causes of morbidity in the region during this period were TB all forms and animal bites.

In 2021, the leading disease in the Cagayan Valley region of the Philippines was acute respiratory infection, reaching around 65,441 cases. This was followed by hypertension, skin disease, and animal bites.

In 2021, the leading illnesses in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines was animal bites, with approximately 119,342 cases. The other leading causes of morbidity in the region were hypertension and acute respiratory infection.

In 2021, acute watery diarrhea was the leading illness in the CARAGA region of the Philippines, with cases amounting to 7,739. Pneumonia was the second leading medical condition, affecting around 4,296 inhabitants within the region.

In 2021, acute respiratory infection was the leading disease in the Bicol region of the Philippines with cases amounting to approximately 106,063. The other major causes of morbidity in the region were hypertension and TB all forms.

In 2021, approximately 89,485 male Filipinos succumbed to death due to ischaemic heart diseases. Ischaemic heart disease was also the leading cause of death among female population in the Philippines.

In 2021, acute respiratory infection was the leading illness in the region of Zamboanga Peninsula in the Philippines, with over 29,026 cases. This was followed by animal bites, hypertension, and urinary tract infection.