Hypertension high in Clarendon

Horace Fisher, Gleaner Writer

MAY PEN, Clarendon:

DR DENNIS Howell, one of several medical doctors who participated in the recent Eyelite Optical health fair at Glenmuir High School, Clarendon, disclosed that a large number of Clarendonians have diabetes and hypertension.

"I have discovered that young people in Clarendon are increasingly being diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes, while the diseases in the adult population continue to rise unabatedly," Dr Howell told The Gleaner recently. He however did not provide our news team with statistics.

Some 700 students from 16 schools in the parish and 300 parents benefited from the health fair. They were tested for diabetes, glaucoma and hypertension. They also received dental and vision testing by medical practitioners from Eyelite Optical Jamaica Limited, The Tooth Place, The Clarendon Health Department and other local medical institutions.

Howell said hypertension and diabetes are lifestyle-related diseases and both can be better controlled by a change in lifestyle, diet, and engagement in an appropriate exercise programme.

"Failure to heed your doctor's advice on taking your medications, exercising regularly and watching your diet, can see diabetes and hypertension getting progressively worse leading to kidney disease and even stroke," warned Dr Howell.

The health fair attracted a number of corporate sponsors including Digicel, GraceKennedy, National Commercial Bank, Scotia Jamaica Limited, Juici Patties, National Bakery, The Tooth Place, Eyelite Optical, among others.

rural@gleanerjm.com