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Childhood obesity continues to be a serious problem in Jamaica, with more than 11 per cent of children, 10 to 15 years old, and 35 per cent of teenagers, between 15 to 18 years, being classified as overweight or obese. The Government is moving to address the issue and other lifestyle diseases, through the recently established National Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD)...

Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Representative to Jamaica, Margareta Skold, says there is need for an increase in preventive and promotional actions to discourage young people from engaging in dangerous lifestyle behaviours. "Adolescence is a time of experimentation. Many of today’s and tomorrow's leading causes of death, disease and disability can be significantly reduced by preventing risk behaviour initiated...

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) will be staging a series of activities this month in honour of the late Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverley. Director of Field Services, JCDC, Marjorie Leyden-Vernon, told JIS News that the activities, which will roll out in the parishes next week, will celebrate the life and work of the late cultural icon, affectionately called ‘Miss Lou’....

Young people in St. Ann are being encouraged to make use of the Marcus Garvey Resource Centre in the parish to gain greater insight into the National Hero’s life and work. The facility, housed at the Parish Library in St. Ann's Bay was officially opened on August 17, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Garvey’s birth.  It is equipped with...

Acting Chief Education Officer, Clement Radcliffe, is appealing to parents to ensure that their children undergo the structured medical examination, being implemented by the Ministry, to detect any physical or mental abnormalities, which could affect learning and behaviour. Mr. Radcliffe, who was addressing a recent JIS Think Tank, said the aim is to give educators and parents an early indication...

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, says the issue of children being placed in adult correctional facilities will be solved soon, after Cabinet adjudicates on a submission. The Minister, who was addressing a community forum organised by the Child Development Agency (CDA),  in Granville, St. James, on August 30, said she is pleased that a comprehensive multi-agency approach ...

Several inner-city residents from across the country have now been equipped with the tools necessary  to significantly improve their lives, having completed the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce's (JCC) Youth Leadership Training Programme. Approximately 32 of the 55 youth who successfully completed the course, were presented with certificates during the graduation ceremony for the 54th cohort of the programme, held at...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The city of Stone Mountain in Atlanta, Georgia has declared the month of August as 'Jamaica 50th Independence Celebration Month.' Honorary Consul in Atlanta, Vin Martin, presented the proclamation to Ambassador to the United States, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, on behalf of Mayor of Stone Mountain, Patrice Wheelen, at a town hall meeting held on Friday (Aug. 17)...

The life and work of National Hero the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey, was on Friday (August 17), given special recognition in the parish of his birth, St. Ann. Scores of persons representing civic groups, the Rastafarian community, academia, the political directorate, along with a number of children, turned out at the St. Ann’s Bay Parish Library, just a few kilometres...

The Government of Jamaica has declared August 17 as Marcus Garvey Day in honour of the nation's first National Hero. Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, read the Proclamation this morning August 17 at a wreath laying ceremony held at National Heroes Park in Kingston, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Garvey’s birth. In declaring Marcus...

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, is praising the Jamaican people and her team, for the successful staging of celebratory activities to mark the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence. The Minister, who was addressing a press conference on Aug. 15 at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel,  said Jamaica can be proud of the events held to mark the Golden...

While the Independence Day celebrations are over, the mission of 'Jamaica 50' continues and will now focus on the legacy component of the programme planned to commemorate the nation’s special anniversary. Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, told journalists at a press conference on August 15 at the Wyndham Kingston hotel, that there are a number of projects...