The Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey IV (JHLS IV) is well under way, as the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) undertakes a comprehensive study to assess the health status of the Jamaican population and inform health policy. Led by Professor Trevor Ferguson, Dr. Novie Younger Coleman and Dr. Shelly McFarlane, the survey is being conducted in collaboration with and...

Parents are being encouraged to talk to their children about sexual abuse from an early age, including physical boundaries and the privacy of body parts, to empower them to recognise and report abuse. In an interview with JIS News, Regional Clinical Psychologist at the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr. Alcon Barnett, says that having open conversations with children can...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is intensifying measures to address heart disease as part of the national response to non-communicable diseases (NCD), which are the leading cause of death in Jamaica. Heart disease includes problems with the heart and blood vessels. It can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and even sudden death. Risks factors include high blood pressure, smoking...

On World Cancer Day 2026 (February 4), the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) brought together survivors, healthcare professionals, and members of the public at its Kingston headquarters under the global theme: ‘United in Unique’. The gathering highlighted that while every cancer journey is deeply personal, collective action is vital in advancing the fight against the disease. This engagement formed part of...

Hundreds of health workers have benefited from assistance to replace their identification (ID), passports, birth certificates, property titles and other important documents that were damaged or lost during Hurricane Melissa. The first in a series of healthcare workers support fairs, held at the Newell Health Centre on December 5, targeted health personnel from the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester and...

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has implemented a maternal outreach programme targeted at pregnant and new mothers, particularly in parishes impacted by Hurricane Melissa. State Minister, Hon. Krystal Lee, tells JIS News that expectant and new mothers are among the most vulnerable groups during and in the aftermath of a hurricane, and the programme aims to ensure that they...

When a hurricane passes, the first images that often come to mind are toppled trees, flooded streets, and shattered roofs, but one of the most serious and least visible consequences of a storm lies inside kitchens, warehouses, supermarkets and food distribution centres. The safety of Jamaica’s food supply, already vulnerable to heat, moisture and pests in normal conditions, faces its...

Persons struggling with feelings of stress and anxiety in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa are being urged to limit their exposure to excessive news about the destruction, including social media content, to safeguard their mental well-being. Director of Mental Health and Substance Use Services in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Kevin Goulbourne, says that the impact of the...