The Filipino youth, ages 15 to 30, comprise more than 30% of the country’s population. Being the country’s future leaders and parents, the youth sector is a viable and dynamic target population for a health advocacy on the prevention of birth defects and preterm births.
In 2009, Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health – Philippines (VYLH-Philippines) was formally organized through the collaborative effort of the Institute of Human Genetics of the National Institutes of Health-University of the Philippines Manila, the Department of Health (Republic of the Philippines) and The UPLB Genetics Society, a student organization of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
VYLH-Philippines is a network of proactive, service-oriented, empowering and visionary leaders equipped with knowledge and skills in mobilizing the youth for health. It is composed of youth leaders from different community- and university-based youth organizations throughout the Philippines. The formation of VYLH-Philippines is part of an international effort to establish the March of Dimes – Global Network for Maternal and Infant Health (MOD-GNMIH) participated by youth counterparts in China and Lebanon linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service to improve birth outcomes worldwide through advocacy.
Volunteerism, commitment, advocacy, and leadership are the binding principles of all the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health in the Philippines, which are grounded on the following philosophy:
Volunteerism
VYLH-Philippines believes that the spirit of volunteerism should be inculcated in the minds of the youth, making them more responsible and concerned citizens.Commitment
VYLH-Philippines believes that in order to play a critical role in nation building, unrelenting commitment to humanitarian endeavor that benefits the public is of utmost importance.Advocacy
VYLH-Philippines believes that the network in collaboration with government and non-government health agencies at all levels shall advocate for the health needs of the youth sector and public towards a healthy future.Leadership
VYLH-Philippines believes that collectively the youth sector can lead in collaboration with other sectors in nation building by working towards a healthy society.Our Mission
To create a network of youth leaders and youth organizations in schools and communities in the Philippines who will champion in increasing public awareness on existing health programs, and on the significance of healthy lifestyle at an early age.
Specifically, VYLH-Philippines aims:
To organize youth and youth groups to conduct awareness campaigns in schools and communities focused on the advocacies of the network;
To conduct research on the current knowledge and perception of the youth about folic acid, preterm births and birth defects through survey forms;
To conduct promotional activities among the youth with main topics based on the results of the research; and
To develop informational materials that will increase the knowledge and perception of the general public about folic acid, preterm births, birth defects, newborn screening, and other health concerns.