Health in the Philippines

Access to healthcare services in the Philippines is marked by significant inequities, particularly affecting poor communities. These disparities are reflected in both access to services,^[1] health outcomes, and the effects of climate change which exacerbate the incidence of infectious diseases.^[2] One major challenge is the varying financing for local government units, leading to differences in the benefits packages of insurance plans and difficulties in accessing public health services.^[3] The decentralization of healthcare responsibilities from the federal government to local governments has, in some cases, increased local authority but has also made certain communities vulnerable to a lack of access to basic services.^[4]

In response to the Millennium Development Goals' focus on maternal and child health, the Philippines began the National Demographic and Health Survey in 1968 to assess the effectiveness of public health programs in the country.^{[5][clarification needed]}