A health magazine with a mission

It may be true. We’re living in a crazy, confused world. The prevailing lifestyle worldwide indicates some ambivalence, irony and disorientation. Smoking, alcohol drinking and junk foods have not only been considered as part of the norm, but have all become ingrained in the culture of many societies. Some even claim it’s an unthinkable and wretched world without them.

There is therefore a need to effectively promote a healthy lifestyle, not only for everyone’s information, but as something to be consistently practiced and made as a way of life. It has to start from the medical community so physicians and other allied health-care givers such as nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and dieticians can set a good example for the rest to follow.

The print medium is an effective tool which can help in this regard. Hence, the birth of Health & Lifestyle, a monthly full-color magazine published by FAME (Friendly Alliances and Media Expressions). The maiden issue will be in selected magazine stands and outlets starting the middle of this month.

The magazine does not only contain scientific updates, but also stories and features that highlight this message – "A healthy lifestyle, which prevents many common medical problems, can also be enjoyable. Clean-living is not necessarily boring; it literally and figuratively adds life to living!" Effectively conveying this message is H&L’s mission, it’s a main reason for existence.

It is a big challenge to present in a magazine format the "message of a healthy lifestyle" effectively, enough to convince the target audience to be role models. All efforts were made by the staff to innovate in the magazine’s presentation, from the editorial content to the design and layout.

A highly respected board of consulting editors well known in Philippine journalism and a strong medical advisory body composed of the country’s Who’s Who in various medical specialties have generously shared their expertise to enhance the copy of each issue of H&L.

"The maiden issue is truly a collector’s item," proclaims publisher Jose Rillo. Veteran writer Arvin Reyes, H&L’s managing editor, writes about the country’s health visionaries who have the poor as their main target audience. Medical luminaries Drs. Ramon Abarquez Jr. and Homobono Calleja defend the medical profession against the siege caused by the raging debate on medical malpractice.

In another article, Abarquez also issues an urgent battlecry to fight the obesity epidemic. Pulmonologist Dr. Renato Dantes reminds smoking doctors and allied professionals to overcome their strong sense of denial, recognizing early warning signs and giving some pointers on how to cope with the pangs of withdrawal.

For those who have a strong family history of cancer and still love eating steaks and eggs daily with a drink or two (and hate whole-grain cereals as they do cod liver oil), Dr. Alvin Reyes’ well-researched article on which foods promote and which ones prevent cancer should offer valuable information.

Young cardiologist and master of public health Dr. Willie Ong analyzes what ails the Philippine health system, and in another article, shares his encounter with his first private patient.

H&L is also meant to treat doctors to non-medical topics which are of interest to them. Gener Maulit effectively persuaded some doctors to reveal their most unforgettable holidays. He also interviewed Rajo Laurel and Oscar Peralta to give doctors some fashion counseling. Erwin Oliva tells of new hi-tech expensive "toys" for doctors and allied health professionals.

H&L’s regular columnists are any editor’s pride. "It’s a coup to have them all in one publication," Rillo says. No one can ever outwit Dr. Ernie Namin who writes about many doctors’ word woes. Dr. Chona Reloza gets to the core of the subject on family and relationship, which sadly get compromised as one gets to the fast lane of medical practice. Diet and nutrition guru Sanirose Orbeta gives some sound dietary advice. Former pharma executive (now civic worker and writer) Rose Ong provides a soothing balm with her healing thoughts and reflections. For doctors who don’t know how to make their 7-8 figure bank account work for them, AIM professor Rafael "Bing" Azansa tells them how.

"And that’s just for starters – for the maiden issue," Rillo says. "Our commitment is that we shall leave no stone unturned to ensure that H&L delivers what it promises to deliver in every issue: information, insights, reflections, pointers for a healthier life, so we can add life to living!" he adds.

FAME will send complimentary copies of its maiden issue to the first 750 doctors and first 250 allied health professionals who will fax or e-mail the following information: name, specialization or type of practice, hospital or clinic address, home address, telephone, cellphone and fax number, and e-mail address. This information may be faxed to 892-8514 or e-mail to fame2001@i-manila,.com.ph. For a regular subscription, one may call 892-0723 or 24, 813-5433 or 894-0843. Magazine distributors, hospital pharmacies and other drug stores who wish to distribute the magazine may also call the same numbers.