The International Society of Hypertension just ended its meeting in Kyoto, Japan, on October 13, 2022, and the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) took home the silver medal. The presentation was led by representatives from the Graduate School of the Public Health Department at the Adventist University of the Philippines and focused on a research study that detailed the effects of the lifestyle intervention approach in reversing hypertension.
The authors of the oral research presentation are Dr. Abraham Racca, professor of the Math and Physics Department, College of Science and Technology at the Adventist University of the Philippines; Dr. Bysshe Fernan, director of medical education and consultant at the Clinical Lifestyle Medicine Center of the Adventist Medical Center-Bacolod; and Dr. Mary Jane Botabara-Yap, who holds a doctorate in public health and is currently the director of health ministries for the Adventist regional office in Malaysia. The International Society of Hypertension is an international conference held once every two years for clinical practitioners, academics, and hypertension advocates.
Dr. Botabara-Yap recently shared on social media how much she appreciated God's command to be good health stewards was emphasized at a forum amid contemporary interventions and the importance of lifestyle medicine in treating various health disorders in this generation. Dr. Botabara-Yap wrote on Facebook, "I remember thinking it was a moment for lifestyle medicine to shine amid huge pharmaceutical firms and doctors who exclusively use the medical approach of treating non-communicable diseases. In a world dominated by massive pharmacological interventions, she continued, "This study proves, even more, to never give up."
When the International Society of Hypertension called Dr. Botabara-Yap early this year, the research became a reality (ISH). After seeing positive outcomes from Dr. Bysshe Fernan's Lifestyle Medicine study initiative, the three authors decided to work together. Dr. Abraham Racca started a statistical analysis, and the statistics show substantial findings demonstrating the validity and accuracy of the information gathered for the study. Dr. Botabara-Yap submitted the research abstract for the oral case study grand prix presentation. As a result, the abstract was pre-qualified, and later met the requirements to participate in the oral case study presentation in Japan. Ten other presentations were also accommodated during the gathering. The oral presentation stood out as it is the only research study that showcases lifestyle intervention in treating various hypertension cases. This presentation is believed to be a breakthrough as it opens unlimited opportunities for lifestyle medicine to be heard and to present its effectiveness in dealing different medical issues.
International delegations from the USA, Canada, Lithuania, Japan, Belarus, Canada, and the Philippines were in attendance to present their respective studies for five minutes, followed by two minutes for questions and answers.
The main focus of the oral study presentation is the lifestyle intervention's large impact on a person's body weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. By persistently promoting, encouraging, and educating the public on using lifestyle medicine and other lifestyle intervention programs, the long-term study on the participants will further ascertain and prove the influence of lifestyle medicine programs on the population.
The conference was seen by the authors as a chance to inform the public about the value of lifestyle medicine as another strategy for preventing a variety of lifestyle diseases. According to the Spirit of Prophecy, lifestyle medicine demonstrates its advantages and long-term impact on a person’s holistic well-being. This opportunity to communicate and exchange ideas with other medical professionals worldwide is more than winning a competition.
The Adventist University of the Philippines is one of the universities in the Philippines which offers Public Health courses offering a Master’s degree in Public Health major in Lifestyle Medicine and a Ph.D. major in Preventive Care.
Visit this page to learn more about the Adventist University of the Philippines.
Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department