EMPOWERING THE FILIPINO YOUTH FOR HEALTH

VYLH-Philippines is a network of proactive, service-oriented, empowering, and visionary leaders equipped with knowledge and skills in mobilizing the youth towards a healthy Philippines. 

VYLH-Philippines is a national collaboration of youth leaders and youth organizations in universities and communities in the Philippines linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service to improve birth outcomes through advocacy. 

The Filipino youth, ages 15 to 30, comprise more than 25% 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 o-n 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.

OUR ADVOCACIES

FOLIC ACID AWARENESS 


Increasing awareness among women in the reproductive age on the significance of folic acid supplementation in the prevention of birth defects.

PRECONCEPTION HEALTH


Increasing knowledge and awareness on the importance of preconception health among men and women of the reproductive age in the prevention of preterm birth and birth defects. 

NEWBORN SCREENING


Increasing public awareness on saving babies from mental retardation and death through expanded newborn screening (ENBS)

RARE DISORDERS


Mobilizing public support for the needs and rights of patients with rare, orphan disorders pursuant to the Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines (RA10747)