From left: Maeza Demis-Adams, Andre Collins, Twyla Bradshaw-Richardson, Dr. Aisha Andrewin and Merwyn Foster Rogers.
ANGUILLA–The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Country Conference lecture series, designed to highlight local research topics, hosted its second panel presentation on Thursday, July 5, at the Teacher’s Resource Centre Conference Room in the Edison L. Hughes Library and Education Complex.
During the presentation entitled “Health, Sustainable Development and The Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Threat to Anguilla,” speakers Dr. Aisha Andrewin and Twyla Bradshaw-Richardson delivered a fact-filled summary of global findings concerning the leading lifestyle causes of NCDs. They provided a tailored summary of the status of Anguilla’s NCD health indicators based on a two-year comprehensive study undertaken by Anguilla’s Health Department as well as ways to mitigate risk factors. The audience also heard from Director of Sports Andre Collins, who emphasised the critical need to incorporate movement and exercise into today’s sedentary lifestyle. The lively discussion period following the formal presentations was moderated by Permanent Secretary of Health, Merwyn Foster Rogers and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Maeza Demis-Adams.
Dr. Andrewin defined NCDs as cardiovascular diseases which include stroke, heart attacks, raised blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases. She said they are the most important public health threat globally, responsible for 70 per cent of deaths worldwide, largely affecting low- and middle-income countries and are the cause of premature deaths, defined as deaths between the ages of 30 and 69. Dr. Andrewin said, “Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of chronic disease deaths worldwide, with over 70.9 million deaths per year. Eighty per cent of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke can be avoided through modified behaviour consisting of a healthy diet, regular physical activity, tobacco smoke avoidance and alcohol reduction.”
In Anguilla, data shows that NCDs are the cause of over 50 per cent of deaths on the island. This is a threat to Anguilla’s sustainable development through lost productivity and spiralling health care cost. Evidence of the above was collected from findings using the World Health Organization standardised methodology survey instrument named the STEPwise, a tool which collects, measures and assesses NCD risk factors within targeted populations. It was the foundation for Anguilla’s NCD risk factor surveillance study and has provided baseline information for the first time.
Interventions being developed and vigorously pursued will include widespread public education on the necessity of proper nutrition, suggesting increased consumption of fruit and vegetables as well as decreasing fats, sugar and salt in the daily diet. Additionally, physical activity programmes are being developed and introduced island-wide, targeting all ages, to include persons in senior homes.
Rogers thanked the attendees for their interest. He said, “It is important that the public learn as much as they can on subjects that impact Anguilla and its development. The United Nations (UN) has indicated that good health is a critical key for country development. The research and information concerning the levels of NCDs impacting Anguilla must be married to policies and practices to treat these diseases. The health of the nation is the wealth of the nation.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78408-uwi-hosts-health-presentation-as-part-of-country-conference-lecture-series
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