Yasmin Williams - HEALTH-WISEA FEW weeks ago, a colleague told me he had gone to a medical seminar at which he had seen a very interesting book on the national policy for the promotion of healthy lifestyle in Jamaica. He asked that I investigate further.
I got hold of one of these books. It had a beautiful blue cover with a bird called SKIP. Skip, I am told is the acronym for Setting Knowledge into Practice.
The book published in April 2004 by the Ministry of Health, summarises the conceptual framework for health promotion, outlines the main components of the Policy for the Promotion of Healthy lifestyles in Jamaica and indicates the management and implementation of the policy. Additionally, it gives the rationale for healthy lifestyle programmes in Jamaica.
Figure 1 of the book graphically displays the pillars of the conceptual framework. There are three main pillars: -
1. Supportive Environment
2. Lifestyle Behaviour Awareness/Education Activities in different settings
3. Targeted Lifestyle behaviour activities integrated into treatment programmes.
The pillar "Supportive Environment" includes socio-economic, physical (safe spaces), cultural and healthy foods. The different settings include, workplace, school, clubs, churches, community healthy zones, sports, health facilities and homes while targeted lifestyle behaviour activities are or will be integrated into treatment programmes at health facilities, home, workplace and in the community.
The rationale for Healthy Lifestyle programmes in Jamaica is based on the fact that the current causes of death and "medical suffering" morbidity, are related to lifestyle factors like poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, unsafe sexual activity and violence.
The following data is reported from a lifestyle survey conducted by the University of the West Indies and the Health Promotion and Protection Unit of the Ministry of Health:-
Approximately 30% men and 60% women are obese and overweight
20% are hypertensive
8% are diabetic
Almost 40% are either inactive or indulge in low levels of activity
50% eat more fat than is recommended
1 in 7 persons smoke
1 in 4 men and 1 in 8 women have had a sexually transmitted disease
1 in 2 men and 1 in10 women had more than 1 partner in the last year
1 in 2 persons did not use a condom in the last sex act
2.7 % adolescents reported engaging in a fight with a weapon
17.5 % of adolescents reported physical abuse
11.6% of adolescents reported sexual abuse.
Data like this is sobering and must have informed the development of the Health Promotion Policy which is documented as seeking to:-
1."Promote healthy lifestyles in the population so as to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cervical cancer, HIV/AIDS and to reduce the incidence of violence and injury."
2."Focus on preventable behavioural risk factors"
The five main behaviours to be promoted through this plan are:-
Physical activity
Eating appropriately
Prevention and control of smoking
Appropriate sexual behaviour
Reduction of violence and injuries through building self esteem, resiliency and life skills
With respect to strategies for implementation of the policy, the document outlines the following as important:-
An integrated approach by targeting Jamaicans at the special "settings"
Partnerships with policy makers in
government
Partnerships with private sector/non-governmental organisations
Partnerships with policy makers in
industry e.g. food industry
Partnership with communities
Partnerships with consumers
Ministries and agencies involved in education, community development, economic development, local government, agriculture, food production and sports are highlighted as positioned to play a critical role.
It is hoped that this "new thrust" will provide learning, working and living environments which facilitate individuals and communities being involved in activities which promote health.
Dr. Yasmin Williams is a
family doctor and public
health specialist;
e-mail: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
