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HEALTH

QUARTER 1 – MODULE 1
MELC: Explains the guidelines and criteria in the selection and
evaluation of health information, products, and services.
PART I.
A. Introduction
All of us are consumers. We acquire health information, purchase health products, and avail of
health services to appraise, improve, and maintain our health. Health information is an idea that we hear
from people around us, read from books and other printed materials, or from the media that influence our
health. Health products are items that we consume to improve our well-being such as medicine, food,
clothes, furniture, electronics, etc. To ensure consumer health, criteria and guidelines in selecting health
products/ services must be considered. Various forms of providers and plans must also be known to a
consumer.

B. Discussions

Consumer health is not just about buying health products and services. It is also about making
decisions and having a clear and deeper understanding to make wise choices.
Consumer health has three components: health information, health products, and health services. Health
information plays a big role in the life of individuals. It gives details that people can use to make informed
decisions about their health and of others.
Health information is any concept, step, or advice that
various sources give to aid the health status of an individual.
The type of information varies depending on various
considerations such as but not limited to health history, drugs
and alcohol consumption, and eating disorders.
All information about the health products is included in this
area. It gives the materials used in manufacturing the
Figure 1 https://tinyurl.com/psbxvepk product, date, uses, expirations, and even cautions.
People acquire health information and products from various sources such as authorized persons,
media, and technology. It is important to identify the reliability of these sources.

Some Reliable Sources of information

• Medical and health professionals (Family and school doctors, dentists, nurses, health science
educators)
• Government agencies like the Department of Health (DOH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Websites ending in .gov, .edu, and .org
• Local health officials
• Educational institutions

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 Some Unreliable Sources of Health Information
• Outdated customs, practices, and superstitions without scientific basis
• Information based on ignorance and prejudice
• Commercialized health information
• Personal options and incomplete information
• Quack or pseudo healers

Health products are food, drugs, cosmetics, devices, biologicals, vaccines, in-vitro diagnostic reagents,
and household/urban hazardous substances and/or a combination of and/or a derivative thereof (FDA Act,
2009). These products may be purchased from various places like supermarkets, pharmacies, and hospitals.
Examples: eyeglasses, appliances, medicines, grooming aids, car, etc.

When evaluating health information and products, you must check for:
1. CREDIBILITY - This tells about the source and recency of the information.
• Who or what is the source of the information/product?

• Is the source qualified?

• Is the information updated?
2. CONTENT - This tells about the accuracy, disclaimer, and completeness of the information.
• Is it complete and correct?
• Does it have a scientific basis?
• Does it state the limitations, purpose, scope, authority, and currency of the information?
• Does it have labels that contain the directions for use and storage, expiration date, and
warnings?
3. DISCLOSURE - This tells about the purpose and caveat of the information.
• What is the purpose of giving the information/product?
• Is it for marketing purposes?
• Is it for selling products or for disseminating information?
4. INTERACTIVITY - This tells about the feedback mechanism and means of information exchange
between the source and the consumer.
• Can the consumer offer comments and suggestions?
• Is it possible to ask questions?
Healthcare services refer to the furnishing of medicines, medical or surgical treatments, nursing,
hospital service, dental service, optometric service, and complementary health services. These are often
connected to healthcare.

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 These programs aim to appraise the health conditions of individuals through screening and
examinations, cure and treat disorders, prevent and control the spread of diseases, provide safety, emergency
care, and first aid, and ensure a follow-up program for individuals who have undergone treatments.
Examples: medical and dental consultation and treatment, services from beauty parlors and barber shops,
etc.

Guidelines on the Purchase of Goods and Services

1. Evaluate which products and services will be beneficial, harmful, or useless.

2. Know the local laws and regulations that protect consumers.
3. Locate dependable medical, dental, and nursing services.
4. Apply knowledge acquired for personal and environmental health in the purchase of personal goods and
services.

Some Tips on how to be a Wise Consumer

1. Gather correct and sufficient information–get as much
information by reading critically the details on the nutritional
quality of the food. Be aware that being knowledgeable of the
laws will protect you as a consumer.
2. Compare and contrast details of available products
– compare and contrast the products and services available
before you purchase. Judge for yourself which among the
Fig. 2
products are most effective. You can use the questions in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa4H60
assessing the health information as your initial guide. C

3. Inquire for more and review if possible – ask direct questions from sales personnel if there are
things about the product that are not clear to you before buying it. Clarifying things will make you more
confident as a consumer. You can also get some information from other consumers regarding the product.
Health services are usually offered by healthcare providers. “A healthcare provider is a trained
professional who provides people with healthcare”. Health services are offered by health service providers.
There are three types, as follows:
1. Health Professionals. These are individuals who are licensed to practice medicine and other allied
health programs and work in the medical profession.
Examples: doctor, nurse, nutritionist, etc.
2. Healthcare Facilities – These are places or institutions that offer healthcare services. Examples:
hospitals, walk-in surgery centers, health centers, extended healthcare facilities.
3. Health Insurance - It is a financial agreement between an insurance company and an individual or
group for the payment of healthcare costs.

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C. Readings

Who is Health Consumer?

Health Consumers are people who use health services, as well as their families and careers. This
includes people who have used a health service in the past or who could potentially use the service in the
future. Why not use the term patient? We prefer to use the term ‘consumers’ rather than ‘patients’. There are
a few reasons behind this. A ‘consumer’ tends to choose and get involved in decision making whereas
traditionally a ‘patient’ tends to be a person who receives care without necessarily taking part in decision
making. Also, the term ‘consumers’ includes careers that often have an important role in health care decision-
making and caregiving. Finally, many health programs and services don’t use the term ‘patient’ anyway and
refer to ‘clients’ or even ‘residents’ (in the case of live-in facilities).

Who is a Health Consumer Representative?

A health consumer representative is a health consumer who has taken up a specific role in providing
advice on behalf of consumers, with the overall aim of improving health care. A consumer representative is
often a consumer member of a committee, project, or event who voices consumer perspectives and takes part
in decision-making on behalf of consumers. A health consumer representative may be nominated by and
accountable to, a consumer organization.
Usually, the role is working with a health service (or consumer organization) and is often in a volunteer
capacity. Sometimes the role comes with a small payment to cover the consumer’s costs.

What is Engagement?
Engagement (or participation) refers to a range of activities that involve consumers or communities
participating in and sometimes leading, health service decision-making; policy and service design; service
delivery, and evaluation.

D. Examples
A. An example of a basic need of an individual/consumer

Toothpaste
Disinfectants Sunscreen

Consumer Vitamins and

Antiperspirant Health Products Minerals

Cold Remedies Contact Lens

Pain Solution
Relievers
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B. An example of Nutrition facts found at the back of every Product Particularly Foods

C. An example of product categorization

See the bottom tube of your toothpaste a color-coding is marked each color represents each category.

https://living.alot.com/home/40-common-household-items-with-a-surprisingly-useful-purpose--17180

➢ Black = Pure Chemicals

➢ Green = Natural
➢ Red = Natural + Chemical Composition
➢ Blue = Natural + Medicine

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II. ACTIVITY PROPER

Activity 1: WALK or RUN

Directions: The following are sources of information on consumer health. Write the word WALK if it is a
reliable source and RUN if it is not a reliable source. Write your answer inside the given box.

1. Neighbors

2. Vendors

3. Health Magazines

4. Parents who are health professionals

5. Elderly

6. Government agencies

7. Researches

8. Books

9. Pamphlets

10. Wikipedia

Directions: Activity 2: Let’s Go Shopping! Buying Products Wisely

Directions: Identity what is best recommended for the consumer according to his/her health needs or
condition.

Person with Disabilities

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Activity 3: Consumer Health Products
Directions: List down the product needed going to the beach/resort. Select your answer in the box below
and write your answer on the web provided.

Sunscreen/sun blocks Shampoo TV Long Gown High heels

Cap/wide-brimmed hat First Aid Kit Snacks Towel Ziplock Bags
Glass Container Fire Works Sun glass Aggressive dog Jewelries

Trixie going to
the beach

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Activity 1
1. RUN
2. RUN
3. WALK
4. WALK
5. RUN
6. WALK
7. WALK
8. WALK
9. RUN
10. RUN
Activity 2
1.Answers may vary
2. Answers may vary
Activity 3
Answers may vary
KEY TO CORRECTIONS
III. SUMMATIVE EVALUATION
A. Direction: FACT OR BLUFF: Write F if the statement is correct and B if it is false. Write
your answer in the space provided.

____ 1. Professionals such as physicians, scientists, and teachers can be sources of health
information.
____ 2. Hair cut from a barbershop is an example of healthcare services.
____ 3. Foods, drugs, cosmetics, devices, biologicals, vaccines, in-vitro diagnostic reagents,
and household/urban hazardous substances are considered health products.
____ 4. Consumer health has three components.
____ 5. Health products are the concepts, steps, or pieces of advice that various sources give
to aid the health status of an individual.
____ 6. Medical and health professionals are examples of non-reliable sources of health
information.
____ 7. As a wise consumer, you should be able to gather information, compare available
products, and inquire for more so all doubts will be erased.
____ 8. Personal options and incomplete information is an example of reliable sources of
health information
____ 9. Health Consumers are people who use health services, as well as their family and careers ____ 10.
A health consumer representative is referring to a range of activities.

B. Directions: Study the poster below and answer the question given. A rubric will use to
rate your answer.
Question:
Being one of the consumers, will you
buy the product? Why or why not?

_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

A Sales Representative Selling a whitening soap in the public

RUBRIC
POINT CRITERIA Score
Content and Organization
5 The idea is clear, well-explained and was able to answer the questions
4 The idea is moderately explained and was able to answer the questions
3 The idea is fairly explained and was able to answer the questions
2 The idea is slightly explained and was able to answer the questions
1 The idea is not clear. But answered the question

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C. Directions: Based on what you have learned, answer the following questions. A rubric will be used to
score your output.

1. You are to buy a health product, especially a facemask. However, you have to choose between
fashion and proper protection against the virus, which one will you prefer to buy?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. Is there a need for you to know the guidelines in choosing products? Why?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

RUBRIC
Criteria Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor TOTAL
5 4 3 2 1
Ideas and Substantial, Sufficiently Limited Limited There is no
Content specific, develop content content clear or
and/or content with with limited specific
illustrative with adequate elaboration explanation
content adequate elaboration or of the
demonstrating elaboration or explanation. answer to
strong (deep) or explanation. More the
analysis of explanation. Specific specific question.
the topics information information
is needed or is needed or
needed to needed to
follow the follow the
directions directions
more more
closely. closely.

References
Cipriano, Eduardo, Ma. Karina Melody Hernandez, Gernalyn Solano, Pinky Liberan, Adelina Limos,
Mark Fabella, Ronald Solis, and Ray Ferdinand Limos. 2018. The 21st Century MAPEH in
Action 10. 856 Nicanor Reyes Sr. St., Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.
Physical Education and Health 10 (Learner’s Material)
Online resources:
https://www.slideshare.net/ilmpacamalan/consumer-health-156844173?qid=1f8c0357-fa1b-44a3-ab16-
e195f2195eb0&v=&b=&from_search=1
https://www.slideshare.net/kyung2/mapeh-health-62959799
https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/

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