Christine Draxler going through her regular exercise paces at Emancipation Park, New Kingston.
-Winston Sill photoEulalee Thompson, Co-ordinator
Dear Readers,
IT'S A new year and a new you, let's resolve to take control of our health. To help you along the path of a healthier you, today we launch an intensified focus on health and well-being under the theme, "It's your health, take control".
You may be asking, "Why all this talk about taking control of our health?" The reason is that the most prevalent diseases are linked to some of our lifestyle decisions.
According to the Ministry of Health, there has been an alarming shift in the disease profile over the past 50 years or so. Once upon a time, the major causes of death and disability were the communicable and infectious diseases (such as poliomyelitis and other childhood conditions) but developments in the use of vaccine technology have for the most part brought those conditions under control.
Though recently international health experts have expressed concern about the re-emergence of some old diseases and the emergence of new ones, the epidemiological profile of the country shows a shift toward chronic, lifestyle diseases as the major causes of death and disability. Health Ministry data indicates that 56 per cent of deaths annually are related to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and cancer -- some of the lifestyle diseases.
Most of the 10 leading causes of death -- cerebrovascular accidents, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, heart failure, cancer, homicides, HIV/AIDS disease, acute respiratory tract infection and chronic lower respiratory tract infection -- are related, to some extent, to individual lifestyle choices.
These lifestyle decisions relate to whether we exercise regularly, control fat and sugar in our diet, stay within the weight-for-height limits, manage stress and just take time out to relax and enjoy nature.
SEXUAL HEALTH
Choices we take regarding our reproductive health are also high on the priority list of taking control of our health and lifestyle. Too many Jamaicans are beginning sexual activity at an early age -- the data show that boys on average start sexual relations at age 13.4 years while girls start at that average age of 15.9 years. Other data that we can highlight from the healthy lifestyle study on reproductive health issues here include:
40 per cent of Jamaican women are pregnant at least once before they reach 20 years of age
Cancer of the cervix is the second leading cause of death among women (this cancer is largely related to the virus, the Human Papilloma Virus, spread in sexual intercourse)
HIV infection rates increase annually with the highest infection rates in the 10 to 19 age group.
What choices can we make to take control of our reproductive health? The choices are often repeated by health professionals in media -- I have heard them say for instance that we should have one faithful sexual partner, preferably both of you should be disease-free. I have also heard them say that we should use a condom every time.
VIOLENCE AND INJURY
Another area where we can take control of our health and lifestyle relates to violence and injuries. How are we relating to family members, friends and the people we meet in our day-to-day activities? Are we too quick to anger? Can we learn to talk some more? Are we in touch with our feelings? Can we express what we are feeling? All pertinent questions when we consider the issue of crime, violence and injuries. The Ministry of Health data indicate that:
In the year 2002, the death rate (by violence) of 44 per 100,000 population was one of the highest in the world.
Adolescents (10 to 19 years) account for 26 per cent of persons with injuries from violent acts at the Accident and Emergency Units of all hospitals.
Children and youth are the most vulnerable victims of violence and injury.
Injury from sexual assault was the main reason for treatment of women.
ECONOMIC COSTS
There are also serious economic concerns linked to a disease burden weighted in favour of chronic, lifestyle diseases.
In 1999, expenditure of $663 million for hospital care related to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes compared to $316 million being spent in 1996.
hypertension and diabetes accounted for 31 per cent of curative visits in Jamaica with an average of four visits per year.
more than 200,000 hospital days are used by patients suffering chronic diseases.
The researchers have given us the information -- we have to exercise more, (just take, for instance, a pleasant half-hour walk in the park three times a week), eat better, relax more and talk not fight it out. It's your health, take control.
Please send your comments to
eulalee.thompson@gleanerjm.com.
