Tackling heart disease in the Philippines through digital platforms and partnerships with media

4 November 2025

In the Philippines, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains to be one of the leading causes of death, with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)—including ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease—being a major contributor. 

Launched in April 2024, Novartis Philippines developed the UnblockedMovement.ph website,  dedicated to raise awareness about high cholesterol and its association with CVDs such as heart attacks and strokes. The platform features an interactive personalized risk estimator tool to help patients better understand, manage, and reduce their risk of heart disease and related complications. Since its launch, the website has achieved an average conversion rate of 44%, surpassing industry standards, which shows high interest and engagement with tools such as the interactive risk graph and risk checklist.

Novartis has also jointly organized the Health Reporting Program with the Philippine Press Institute and the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS). In a quest to broaden understanding of heart disease, 62 participating journalists published a combined total of 34 print and online articles in their respective media outlets, on the key health issues, reaching an audience of 85 million readers. that require national attention.