Jamaicans develop chronic diseases
Published:Tuesday | April 22, 2008 | 9:59 AM
The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) said Jamaicans are developing chronic diseases at an earlier age.
This was revealed in a review carried out by the Chronic Diseases section of the Epidemiology and Research Unit at the authority.
The authority said many persons still do not take personal responsibility for their health.
According to the authority, this could be because of other competing demands on their finances.
It said the removal of user fees could encourage more persons to adhere to the advice of their doctors.
In 2007, diabetes mellitus accounted for 178 deaths in the western parishes of Trelawny, St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland.
243 persons reportedly died as a result of hypertension.
The research also found that diabetes mellitus one is growing by 3 percent yearly in children.
Diabetes mellitus two, which was common among adults, is also growing among children and adolescents according to the research.