The legacy of colonialism, modern-day conveniences and a diet high in fat and sugar have bequeathed the island a diabetes and high-blood pressure pandemic. But can health plans win out over corporate interests? The beaches are white sand, cruise ships meander through its warm azure waters and Rihanna is its global champion. But there is major trouble in Barbados’s 167 square miles of paradise. … [Read more...]
PAHO Director Warns COVID-19 Threatens Plans to Control Infectious Diseases
[Reprinted: PAHO, 8-4-2020] Routine vaccination, care for diabetes, hypertension and HIV, and maternal health have all been impacted. Countries must adapt and ensure continuation of primary health services alongside pandemic response. Health services are being disrupted in countries of the Americas as health workers are redirected to care for COVID-19 patients, people hesitate to seek routine … [Read more...]
Virtual visits: Spurred on by the pandemic, telemedicine has gone mainstream
[Reprinted: Las Vegas Sun, 6-10-2020] As cities across the country began shutting down when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, people still needed to receive advice and treatment from doctors for symptoms non-COVID-related. Physicians had to figure out another way to reach patients. Dr. Thomas Hunt, chair of family medicine at Henderson’s Roseman University of Health Sciences and … [Read more...]
Type 2 Diabetes on the rise in the Caribbean
Diabetes is a major public health challenge in the Caribbean affecting approximately 9% of the overall population in the region and is responsible for more than 13% of all adult deaths. In Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Dominica, and Jamaica diabetes is one of the leading causes of death. For example, in Trinidad and Tobago, and the British Virgin Islands, at least 14 % of the … [Read more...]