‘Jamaica Moves’ to Tackle NCDs

The Government will be launching a ‘Jamaica Moves’ (#JaMoves) National campaign as part of measures to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and cancers.

Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, said the campaign is “an aggressive call to action” to get Jamaicans to become more active.

He informed that the campaign will promote, educate and develop programmes to get Jamaicans moving. Traditional and non-traditional media will be utilised in transmitting the message.

The Minister was making his contribution to the 2016/17 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (June 29).

Dr. Tufton said it is time for Jamaicans to embrace a culture of healthy lifestyle, as many NCDs are directly related to physical inactivity.

He pointed out that 21 to 25 per cent of breast and colon cancers, 27 per cent of diabetes and 30 per cent of heart diseases, are directly linked to the lifestyle of the patient.

Citing information from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle survey, Minister Tufton noted that nearly half of Jamaicans are classified as having low levels of physical activity. This, he said, has led to an epidemic of obesity.

Dr. Tufton noted that ‘Jamaica Moves’ will focus on community-level interventions to facilitate increased physical activity among the population.

“As part of this drive, we will be developing walking trails in each parish and organising and piggy-backing on walking and running groups to increase social support and motivation for physical activity,” he said.

Several other initiatives will be implemented throughout the year, he indicated.

“We also intend to collaborate with other private- and public-sector entities, such as the Ministry of Education, and community-based organisations to transmit the message that an increase in physical activity reduces the risk of illness and supports the general well-being of all citizens,” he said.