A community health club has seen improvements in the number of members with hypertension but not in those with diabetes

17 Apr 2026

From 2013 to 2021, the UP Manila Community Health and Development Program partnered with the province of Cavite and its five municipalities: Alfonso, Mendez, Indang, General Emilio Aguinaldo, and Amadeo (AMIGA). They aimed to improve control of hypertension and diabetes through interventions recommended by the Department of Health, particularly organizing community health clubs. This study sought to determine a community health club’s membership profile, its organization and maintenance processes, and the benefits, challenges, and enabling factors experienced.

This case study used a mixed-methods approach and was conducted in 2020 at the Challengers Health Club in Alfonso. Interviews with the club officers and barangay health workers were conducted to explore club processes, perceived benefits, challenges, and enabling factors. Health records were reviewed to determine the club’s membership profile. The community health club has seen an increase in membership since its establishment. Most members are elderly, female, non-smokers, and hypertensive. There was an increase in the proportion of members with controlled hypertension after two years, though this was not observed among those with diabetes. Perceived benefits for members were free, regular, and accessible services, improved knowledge and control of their condition, and the opportunity to socialize. Enabling factors identified were partnership with the university, teamwork and dedication of club leaders, effective management, and community support. Challenges experienced included limited funding and medicine supply, discontinuation of deployment of university students, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study described valuable experiences of a community health club. Despite the challenges they encountered, the benefits of this intervention were reported due to support mechanisms in place.

There is little information on the status of implementation of the DOH guidelines on organizing health clubs for noncommunicable disease control in the country. Thus, data on this can help the community and public health institutions understand and maximize the benefits of organizing community health clubs.

Authors: Louricha A. Opina-Tan (Community Health and Development Program, University of the Philippines Manila) and Geohari L. Hamoy (Community Health and Development Program, University of the Philippines Manila)

Read the full paper: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/8101

A community health club has seen improvements in the number of members with hypertension but not in those with diabetes

From 2013 to 2021, the UP Manila Community Health and Development Program partnered with the province of Cavite and its five municipalities: Alfonso, Mendez, Indang, General Emilio Aguinaldo, and Amadeo (AMIGA). They aimed to improve control of hypertension and diabetes through interventions recommended by the Department of Health, particularly organizing community health clubs. This study sought to determine a community health club’s membership profile, its organization and maintenance processes, and the benefits, challenges, and enabling factors experienced.

This case study used a mixed-methods approach and was conducted in 2020 at the Challengers Health Club in Alfonso. Interviews with the club officers and barangay health workers were conducted to explore club processes, perceived benefits, challenges, and enabling factors. Health records were reviewed to determine the club’s membership profile. The community health club has seen an increase in membership since its establishment. Most members are elderly, female, non-smokers, and hypertensive. There was an increase in the proportion of members with controlled hypertension after two years, though this was not observed among those with diabetes. Perceived benefits for members were free, regular, and accessible services, improved knowledge and control of their condition, and the opportunity to socialize. Enabling factors identified were partnership with the university, teamwork and dedication of club leaders, effective management, and community support. Challenges experienced included limited funding and medicine supply, discontinuation of deployment of university students, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study described valuable experiences of a community health club. Despite the challenges they encountered, the benefits of this intervention were reported due to support mechanisms in place.

There is little information on the status of implementation of the DOH guidelines on organizing health clubs for noncommunicable disease control in the country. Thus, data on this can help the community and public health institutions understand and maximize the benefits of organizing community health clubs.

Authors: Louricha A. Opina-Tan (Community Health and Development Program, University of the Philippines Manila) and Geohari L. Hamoy (Community Health and Development Program, University of the Philippines Manila)

Read the full paper: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/8101