THE WORLD Health Organization (WHO) has launched a year-long global campaign for World No Tobacco Day 2021 – ‘Commit to Quit.’ The new WHO Quit Challenge on WhatsApp and publication ‘More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco’ were released yesterday...
Labortaory studies show that toothpastes containing zinc or stannous and mouthwash formulas with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) neutralise the virus that causes COVID-19 by 99.9 per cent. The studies are part of a Colgate research programme that...
For more than 10 years, Andrea Ferguson* lived with her partner in an upscale community in Jamaica. She had everything to her comfort, and did not have to work to maintain her lavish lifestyle. However, she was dying inside, and kept a well-...
With a wealth of food available during the Christmas season, it can also be a trying time, especially for those with health conditions such as diabetes. Keeping disciplined to control sugar levels and portions can be particularly difficult. Here...
“I was devastated,” exclaimed Marcia Johnson*. “I was just 18 years old at the time, and I felt like my whole world had fallen apart,” she said. On a routine check while pregnant with her only child, Johnson received the news nobody wants to hear...
Up to five million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active. At a time when many people are home bound due to COVID-19, new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour,...
Certain times of the year are more difficult than others to stick to healthy eating, and this festive season is no exception! While the coronavirus pandemic has forced us to retreat to our homes, given the ban on parties and large gatherings, it...
Published:Wednesday | November 25, 2020 | 12:11 AM
The heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched the new One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial...
Published:Wednesday | November 25, 2020 | 12:09 AM
World Aids Day is observed on December 1 each year. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness....
People with epilepsy or what Jamaicans term as ‘fits’ are just like everyone else, except that they are prone to recurrent seizures. A seizure is caused by a temporary change in the way the brain cells work. One seizure does not signify epilepsy....
Published:Wednesday | November 18, 2020 | 12:14 AM
It is especially important for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and those who live with them, to protect themselves from getting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of the virus that...
Lung cancer is the second-most common cancer in both men and women, and is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 160,000 people will lose their battle with lung cancer...
Published:Wednesday | November 18, 2020 | 12:09 AM
The world Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer has outlined three key steps: vaccination, screening and treatment. According to the WHO, successful implementation of all three could reduce...
Published:Wednesday | November 11, 2020 | 12:11 AM
Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus is calling for predictable and sustainable WHO funding, the launch of a Universal Health and Preparedness Review and the need to “reimagine” global leadership and “forge...
Raising awareness of the causes, prevention, and treatment of stroke is crucial to the health and well-being of all Jamaicans. The Jamaica Stroke Alliance (JSA), which was launched virtually on World Stroke Day, October 29, is advocating for...
Published:Wednesday | November 11, 2020 | 12:06 AM
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a global recommendation for elderly persons to stay at home, especially elderly persons with chronic illnesses. These include, but are not limited to, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease....
Diabetes is a potentially life-threatening illness, which must be taken seriously. Diabetes is the second-leading cause of death for Jamaicans under the age of 70 years. Often referred to as ‘sugar’, the disease impairs the body’s ability to use...
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.” No, it’s not anyone’s birthday. I am simply washing my hands, and healthcare experts have said that singing the birthday song twice is a great timer (...
A new study published in Clinical Cardiology, an internationally recognised peer-reviewed cardiology journal, has revealed that COVID-19 severely increases the risk of infection in patients that have pre-existing heart conditions. The study was...
“It has been hell!” a confident and defiant Paulette Rennalls-Dawson said as she recalls her challenging and tumultuous journey with stage four breast cancer. Rennalls-Dawson was diagnosed with the disease in 2009. As a result of the severity of...
Cardiac arrest is a dreaded complication of any injury or illness. In children, cardiac arrest is often secondary to respiratory failure and shock, unlike in adults where it is usually sudden and due to a problem in the heart. The majority of...
Obtaining a mammogram can be a daunting experience for many women. No matter your level of personal experience or familiarity with the examination, when it comes time to face the breast-squeezing machine, some level of fear is present. For many...
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of adults and children have increased screen time on computers, tablets and phones. This prolonged screen time can lead to eye discomfort, fatigue, blurred vision, headaches, and dry eyes. Low...
Breast cancer screening means checking a woman’s breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. All women need to be informed by their healthcare provider about the best screening options for them. When you are told about the...
There are many things to be grateful for these days, and chief among them is life. Cancer survivor Norma Reid is elated that through faith, determination and her belief in God, she survived one of the biggest challenges of her life to date. More...
