One in every four Jamaicans could have diabetes by 2020. About half the Jamaican population is struggling to deal with allergic sinusitis while more than one-fifth of the island's children and young people struggle with asthma.
These issues will be addressed at Forever Young, a Health, Nutrition and Rejuvenation Expo, to be held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel from March 29-30.
"One of the main roles of Forever Young is to provide handy information on critical health issues such as diabetes and allergies to equip people to live a healthier life," said Marcia Sepaul, managing director of corporate services, the company organising the event.
Diabetes mellitus is said by the National Health Fund (NHF) to be the second leading cause of death in Jamaica. In 1970, about one in every 100 adults was affected but by 2001, over 15 in every 100 Jamaicans had diabetes. Current estimates are that there are over 300,000 persons living with diabetes in the island. One of the most costly lifestyle diseases in Jamaica, diabetes places a heavy burden on the state budget, with the NHF reported to have spent some $400 million on drug subsidy and testing supplies.
Local health experts say that there are at least 150,000 persons still unaware of their diabetic status.
Noted Jamaican diabetic expert Professor Errol Morrison has predicted that diabetes cases are expected to increase and may continue to rise to an unprecedented 25 out of every 100 or one in four persons within the next 20 years. Morrison, the co-founder, medical director, past-chairman and honorary life president of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, will be addressing the issue on Saturday, March 29 at Forever Young. The Wellness Pavilion mounted at the event will focus on the prevention and management of diabetes and will combine free blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol tests to attendees.
Risky behaviours like sedentary lifestyles and the increasing attraction to tasty, inexpensive, high-fat, salty and sweet fast foods contribute to the incidence of diabetes and other chronic diseases in Jamaica. Intended to promote healthy lifestyles through informed choices, the expo will offer information through seminars, creative booth displays and fun events such as Celebrity Design-A-Drink Challenge and the to-be-introduced Vintage Vibes Dance-off. The Vintage Vibes will promote exercise as critical to a healthy lifestyle.
Last year's event had nine well-attended seminars with a diversity of topics and expert speakers. This year's seminar offerings will include:
Dr Aggrey Irons, who will explore the emotional and mental aspects of retirement in a retirement planning segment which will also look at financial preparation for retirement by two leaders in the financial sector.
Elisabeth Hayden, who will help her audience raid the kitchen for beauty aids.
Dr Hugh Ashman, ear, nose and throat specialist. will discuss allergies.
General practitioner Dr Sandra Swaby will help her audience look out for good and bad fats in 'Getting the Skinny on Fats'.
Dr Heather Little-White will explore healthy ways of 'Feeding Your Sex Drive'.
