Letter of the Day | The true cost of health

THE EDITOR, Madam:

March 11, 2020 will not soon be forgotten. The days, weeks, months, and years since that date have taught us many lessons. One of which is that money, status, and education are not as important. Rather, the true thing of value is health. The last couple of years have given adequate proof that poor health is a harbinger of death.

Over the last few years, the Ministry of Health and Wellness and Dr Philip Coombs from the Kingston Public Hospital have shared concerning information about the condition of health for the citizens of Jamaica.

It was noted that approximately 7 out of 10 Jamaicans die from the four major lifestyle diseases: cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic lower respiratory disease. Dr Coombs gave a further breakdown, stating that 74 per cent of women and 68 per cent of men died from these lifestyle diseases, with 54 per cent of Jamaicans being obese. He also added that 60 per cent of Jamaican men and 20 per cent of Jamaican women have high blood pressure, and are unaware.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT

Figures like these should be concerning to the reader as this places a burden on the healthcare system and impacts the availability of care for those in emergency situations. In 2017, Dr Christopher Tufton estimated that during the 15 years prior to 2017 the cost to Jamaica to care for individuals suffering from diabetes and cardiovascular disease would amount to $77 billion. This exorbitant figure is due to not only the cost of care but the loss of workers in the workforce. The impact of these lifestyle diseases is not only death, but lifelong suffering. Blindness, amputation and sexual dysfunction are just a few of the results of high blood pressure and diabetes. The other lifestyle diseases come with their challenges too, such as the psychological effect on families due to the financial and physical strain of caring for someone who is sick.

They say ‘knowledge is power’. Lifestyle diseases are just what they are called. They are diseases that have resulted due to poor lifestyle choices. Is there a quick fix? No. It took the individual a while to get to that state of ill health and it will take intentionality and consistency to get their health back.

Make 2023 a year dedicated to intentionally pursuing health. Health is true wealth.

CHERONE PHILLIPS