BAGUIO CITY — Hypertension has emerged as the leading cause of illness in Baguio City for 2025, based on data from the City Health Services Office (CHSO).

CHSO reported 10,705 cases of hypertension, translating to 2,775.90 cases per 100,000 population. The office emphasized that hypertension is a lifestyle-related disease often associated with sedentary behavior, poor diet, stress, and lack of physical activity. It overtook Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (AURTI), which had topped the morbidity list for the past two years.

People with dangerously high blood pressure may experience severe headaches, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, vision changes, or blood in the urine. Symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include sudden and severe headaches, intense chest or back pain, shortness of breath, sudden vision changes, numbness or weakness, difficulty speaking, confusion, or drowsiness.

Following hypertension, AURTI ranked second with 9,000 cases. Dog and animal bites remained a major public health concern at third place with 3,992 cases. Diabetes mellitus placed fourth with 2,829 cases, while pneumonia ranked fifth with 2,760 cases. Other illnesses in the top ten included dental caries, endocrine and metabolic disorders, disorders of teeth and supporting structures, other abnormal clinical findings, and respiratory tuberculosis.

The 2025 morbidity data reflect a significant shift from previous years.

In 2024, AURTI led with 21,431 cases (5,627.49 per 100,000 population), followed by dental caries (11,442 cases). Hypertension ranked third with 9,732 cases, dog/animal bites fourth with 4,570 cases, and pneumonia fifth with 4,002 cases. The rest of the top ten included diabetes mellitus, asthma, viral infections, tuberculosis (all forms) and muscle strain.

In 2023, AURTI was also the most common illness (10,059 cases), followed by dog bites (3,965), pneumonia (3,263), hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

CHSO chief Celia Flor Brillantes said the yearly ranking helps the city refine its health priorities, better allocate resources, and focus on emerging trends — particularly the rise in lifestyle-related diseases and the continued concern over animal bites.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the results highlight the growing need for community-based interventions targeting hypertension and diabetes. He added that the city continues to strengthen vaccination programs and public education campaigns for respiratory illnesses.

Magalong urged residents to safeguard their health by maintaining healthy habits, seeking early medical consultation, practicing responsible pet ownership, and observing proper hygiene and safety protocols.