Dr. Tufton Enlists Support of Youth In Healthy Lifestyle Push

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Hon. Christopher Tufton, is calling on the support of the nation’s children and young people in the thrust to promote health-seeking behaviours among Jamaicans, to prevent illnesses such as diabetes.

In his message to mark Diabetes Awareness Month, which is being observed in November, Minister Tufton noted the importance of the voice of the youth in conveying the message.

“We hope, with their voices earnestly appealing to and reinforcing the adoption and maintenance of specific health-enhancing behaviours, their parents/guardians and every Jamaican will appreciate that diabetes is not to be underestimated,” he said. The Minister cited statistics from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey III (2016-2017), which indicate that one out of eight Jamaicans is living with diabetes.The disease is the top-ranked cause of death for women and the third for men.

“Our prevalence of diabetes has increased by a whopping 41.1 per cent from 2001 to 2017 and our at-risk factor profile for developing Type Two Diabetes (the most common form of the condition) is worsening,” he noted.

Dr. Tufton said that children are at high risk of developing diabetes.

“Overweight and obesity, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating are on the rise especially in our children,” he pointed out. Noting that the disease often goes undetected, Dr. Tufton said that four out of 10 persons living with diabetes are not aware that they have the condition.He said that long before symptoms appear or tests reveal abnormally high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia), changes are taking place that eventually lead to diabetes.

“A major issue is that overtime, uncontrolled hyperglycaemia can cause complications such as nerve damage, eye damage, kidney damage, poor circulation, heart disease and stroke being chief among them, and even premature death,” he said. “This is the reason we are sounding the alarm in an effort to change this picture,” he noted.

“You need to ‘know your numbers,’ seek appropriate care for timely diagnosis and treatment, and control your condition with a healthier lifestyle and medication as prescribed,” Dr. Tufton urged. The Health and Wellness Minister further called on Jamaicans to “make an investment in self” by taking simple and manageable steps to improve their health.

“It can be increasing your physical activity by walking for at least 30 minutes a day, reducing your carbohydrate and sugar intake and consuming more fruits and vegetables,” he pointed out.

Minister Tufton challenged families, church members, civic groups, advocates and schools to create supportive environments that help motivate persons living with diabetes and its risk factors, to kick-start their health and wellness journey. November 14 will be observed globally as World Diabetes Day under the theme: ‘Education to Protect Tomorrow.’