Barbara EllingtonLifestyle Editor

Hermine Metcalfe of Wyeth in discourse with Dr. Blossom O'Meally-Nelson at the osteoporosis meeting held at Terra Nova Hotel, last Wednesday and Dr. Verna Brooks-McKenzie, founder and president of the Jamaica Osteoporosis Society (JOC), explains some of the reasons for the disease to The Gleaner's training officer, Mary Dick. - photos by Barbara Ellington

The view held by many that osteoporosis is not a disease that affects black people is false. In fact, studies conducted in Jamaica show that many women began to show signs of the disease from as early as in their 40s. This could be linked to areas in the island that have high levels of cadmium which can be harmful to the kidneys. Parishes affected are Trelawny, Manchester and St. Elizabeth.

So said Dr. Verna Brooks-McKenzie, founder and president of the Jamaica Osteoporosis Society (JOS), at the annual meeting of the society, held at Terra Nova Hotel, in St. Andrew, last Wednesday. The JOS was launched under the auspices of the International Foundation (IOF) in 2005 and this year's theme is 'Bone Apptit'.

points to note

In the meeting, chaired by Dr. Errol Daley, consulting obstetrician/gynaecologist, the large gathering of seniors learned that:

Osteoporosis fractures occur more frequently than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer.

In Jamaica, more females are breaking their hips than males.

The main cause of osteoporosis in Jamaican blacks is Vitamin D deficiency, perhaps because they remain indoors and in their cars too much.

There is no public health policy on screening for the disease and there are no clinics where people can go to get tested for it.

However the JOS is making inroads by spreading information about and awareness of the disease to the public through seminars, lectures and medical conferences. Bone density testing is also increasing; a patient society is being formed and the country stands to benefit from membership in the IOF.

Activities throughout the meeting included bone density testing and registration of new members. The 2005 audited financial report for the JOS was presented.