Hypertension is leading cause of illness in Baguio

Essential (primary) hypertension has emerged as the leading cause of illness in Baguio City for 2025 based on data from the City Health Services Office (CHSO) covering cases recorded as of September this year.Hypertension overtook Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (AURTI) which had been on top of list of causes of morbidity for the last two years.

There were 10,705 reported cases equivalent to a rate of 2,775.90 per 100,000 population reported from January to September 2025.A lifestyle disease, hypertension is commonly attributed to sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, stress and inadequate physical activity.Other acute upper respiratory infections followed in second place with 9,000 cases, while dog and animal bites remained a persistent health and safety issue, ranking third with 3,992 cases.

Diabetes mellitus, another major non-communicable disease, placed fourth with 2,829 cases and pneumonia landed in fifth place with 2,760 cases.

Rounding up the top ten for 2025 were dental caries, endocrine and metabolic disorders, disorders of teeth and supporting structures, other symptoms and abnormal clinical findings, and respiratory tuberculosis.

In 2024, AURTI chalked up 21,431 cases or 5,627.49 per 100,000 population followed by dental caries with 11,442 cases.

Hypertension ranked third with 9,732 cases while dog bites/animal bites placed fourth with 4,570 cases. Pneumonia remained among the leading respiratory diseases with 4,002 cases.Also in the top ten were diabetes mellitus, asthma, viral infections, tuberculosis (all forms) and muscle strain.

In 2023, AURTI fetched 10,059 cases followed by dog bites with 3,965 cases, pneumonia with 3,263 cases, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.Other common illnesses that year included musculoskeletal strain, cough, dengue, asthma, and acute bronchitis.

The CHSO under Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes said the annual ranking of leading illnesses allows the city to refine its health priorities, allocate resources efficiently, and focus on emerging trends—such as the steady rise of lifestyle-related diseases and the persistent threat of animal bites.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said these results highlighted the growing need for community-based interventions targeting hypertension and diabetes, intensified vaccination and public education efforts for respiratory diseases and stronger enforcement of pet vaccination and control programs which the city through the CHSO has been addressing.

He called on residents to take active steps to safeguard their health by maintaining healthy habits, seeking early medical consultation, practicing responsible pet ownership and observing hygiene and safety protocols. – Aileen P. Refuerzo