Health minister outlines impact of NCDs on country
HEALTH MINISTER Dr Christopher Tufton says that the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has been the greatest public-health threat to Jamaica’s development for the past 50 years.
Tufton was addressing a University Diabetes Outreach Conference at the Jewel Resort in Runaway Bay, St Ann, last Friday.
He pointed out that globally, 36 million people die from NCDs, including 16 million people who die before the age of 70 years.
“In 2014, the top five causes of death were due to NCDs. Preliminary data also shows that NCDs, specifically diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease account for 12,773, or 68 per cent, of all deaths in Jamaica,” Tufton noted.
He added that 34 per cent of these deaths occured between the ages of 30 and 70 years old.
The minister further stated that diabetes was a major public-health problem in Jamaica, accounting for 11 per cent of all deaths in persons five years and older in 2014.
“It is the third most common cause of NCDrelated deaths. More women (62.1 per cent) than men (37.8 per cent) die from diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes is expected to increase as based on current estimates, levels of overweight and obesity remain high,” Tufton stated.
The minister stressed that diabetes was a serious disease that can cause blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation, while adding that it was also a leading cause of dialysis.
Tufton said that the magnitude of the overall NCD burden is propelled by the underlying risk factors: unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, and physical inactivity.
PARTNERSHIP WITH DIABETES ASSOCIATION
He said that the Ministry of Health has collaborated with the Diabetes Association of Jamaica on several initiatives, including the Lay Diabetes Education programme, screening for diabetic retinopathy, and the Life for a Child Programme, among others.
“There is the Caribbean Diabetes Retinopathy project – early detection of eye complications for diabetes – and we are strengthening primary health-care services while working towards universal access to health care,” he said.
The Ministry of Health is remaining committed to encouraging persons to make an investment in their health.
“The more persons take preventative steps to safeguard their health, such as engaging in physical activity, the fewer visits they will have to make to health facilities due to these NCDs,” said Tufton.
“This investment in their health will ultimately improve the overall quality of life.”