The second in the series of Anguilla Country Conference Community Engagement Sessions hosted by the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Anguilla took place on Thursday, July 5th at the Teachers’ Resource Centre in the Valley. The presentation entitled “Health, Sustainable Development and the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Threat on Anguilla” was a follow-up to the paper presented by Dr. Aisha Andrewin, Mrs. Twyla Bradshaw-Richardson and Mrs. Maeza Demis-Adams at the Anguilla Country Conference last year.
During their fact-filled presentations Chief Medical Officer Andrewin and National Chronic Disease Unit Director Bradshaw-Richardson pointed out that globally, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have emerged as the leading cause of illness and death. The Health Professionals noted that the main NCDs, cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease now account for 70% of all deaths worldwide each year. On Anguilla, they pointed out, these diseases are responsible for at least 50% of deaths annually, and more than 50% of local health care expenditure. In their summary of the results of the National Chronic Disease Risk Factor Survey conducted in Anguilla between June and December of 2016, Andrewin and Bradshaw-Richardson summarised the risk factors that are prevalent on Anguilla.
In highlighting the behavioural patterns required to mitigate these risk factors, the local health professionals stressed the need for widespread public education on the importance of healthy lifestyles, including proper nutrition with a focus on the increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and a reduction in sugar and salt in the diet. Their call for healthy eating and more physical activity was echoed by Director of Sports, Mr. Andre Collins, who highlighted the “Move Ya Body” campaign, which is Anguilla’s response to the findings of the survey. The call is for all Anguillians is to engage in some form of physical activity/exercise for at least thirty minutes three to five times a week and to eat a combination of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
The lively session which attracted a large cross-section of the Anguillian community, was moderated by Permanent Secretary with responsibility for health, Mr. Merwyn Foster Rogers. In his remarks, Rogers commended the researchers and also reiterated the message that changes in our lifestyles are required to reverse the negative statistics and move towards a healthier nation.
In her remarks, Manager for the UWI Open Campus British Overseas Territories, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, thanked the presenters for their excellent presentations and encouraged them and others to continue to engage in research, as the aim of the UWI Open Campus Country Conferences is to stimulate and highlight research on the host country.
The next Anguilla Country Conference is slated for 2019.
– Press Release
