This paper examines diabetes as a critical public health concern in Jamaica, situating it within the broader context of non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. It identifies key contributing factors—poverty, obesity, unsafe neighborhoods, and poor access to nutritious food—and argues that targeted diet and exercise interventions offer a practical path forward. The paper includes an NGO funding request letter and an annotated bibliography of five sources covering caregiver experiences, diabetes education, neighborhood safety, traditional diet research, and health literacy. Together, these components build a case for community-level programs designed to reduce diabetes prevalence among Jamaican adults and families.
Three of the leading causes of death in Jamaica are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer (Anderson & Tulloch-Reid, 2019; Crawford et al., 2010; Ferguson et al., 2011). In fact, the Regional Health Promotion and Education Officer at the Western Regional Health Authority in Jamaica has reported that non-communicable diseases such as these have been the leading cause of death in the country for the past 30 years (Davis, 2018). Of these three, this paper focuses particularly on diabetes—but first it discusses why all of them are a concern in Jamaica.
Cardiovascular disease is a significant concern in Jamaica. The risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, are prevalent in the Jamaican population (Ferguson et al., 2011). In addition, lifestyle choices such as smoking and lack of exercise contribute to the problem (Crawford et al., 2010). Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Jamaica and is responsible for a large percentage of hospital admissions (Davis, 2018). The burden of cardiovascular disease on the Jamaican healthcare system is significant. The government has implemented various initiatives to address the problem, but more needs to be done to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Jamaica.
Cancer is the second major concern. In Jamaica, tobacco smoking is a significant public health issue (Crawford et al., 2010). According to the data, nearly one-quarter of Jamaican adults are current smokers (Crawford et al., 2010). While the overall prevalence of smoking has declined slightly in recent years, rates among young adults have remained relatively steady. Moreover, there is evidence that Jamaicans who smoke are more likely to develop cancer than those who do not smoke (Crawford et al., 2010).
One of the biggest issues contributing to non-communicable disease in Jamaica is diabetes (Cunningham-Myrie et al., 2013). Improper diet and lack of exercise are two major reasons diabetes is such a significant issue in Jamaica and why it contributes to other problems such as cardiovascular disease (Cunningham-Myrie et al., 2013). As Cunningham-Myrie et al. (2013) demonstrate, several factors contribute to the high incidence of these diseases in Jamaica. One is the high level of poverty in the country. Poverty has been linked to a number of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Another factor is the high level of obesity in Jamaica. Obesity is a risk factor for all three of these diseases. Finally, there is a lack of access to healthcare in Jamaica, which means that people with these diseases often do not receive the treatment they need (Cunningham-Myrie et al., 2013). As a result, their condition worsens and they are more likely to die from their disease.
These three diseases are a major problem in Jamaica, responsible for a significant portion of the country's mortality. Poverty, obesity, and lack of access to healthcare are all contributory factors. By tackling diabetes specifically, Jamaica could begin to unravel the web of poor health that plagues its population. Diabetes was selected as the focus of this paper because it can be directly addressed by improving diet and exercise, as Davis (2008) demonstrates. Encouraging people to eat healthy, nutritious meals and to engage in regular physical activity will not only foster a more health-conscious mindset but will also reduce the risk of other non-communicable diseases developing. That is why diabetes has been selected as the focus of this paper.
References
Anderson, M., & Tulloch-Reid, M. K. (2019). "How am I gonna cope?": Caregivers of adolescents with diabetes in Jamaica. Chronic Illness, 15(4), 293–305.
Cunningham-Myrie, C., Younger-Coleman, N., Tulloch-Reid, M., McFarlane, S., Francis, D., Ferguson, T., ... & Wilks, R. (2013). Diabetes mellitus in Jamaica: Sex differences in burden, risk factors, awareness, treatment and control in a developing country. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 18(11), 1365–1378.
Crawford, T. V., McGrowder, D. A., Barnett, J. D., McGaw, B. A., McKenzie, I. F., & James, L. G. (2012). Tobacco-related chronic illnesses: A public health concern for Jamaica. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 13(9), 4733–4738.
Davis, B. (2008). Defeating diabetes: Lessons from the Marshall Islands. Today's Dietitian, 10(8), 24.
Davis, G. (2018). NCDs leading cause of death in Jamaica. Retrieved from
Ferguson, T. S., Francis, D. K., Tulloch-Reid, M. K., Younger, N. O. M., McFarlane, S. R., & Wilks, R. J. (2011). An update on the burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Jamaica. West Indian Medical Journal, 60(4), 422.
Creating Space for Life
Executive Director
Dear Creating Space for Life,
"Funding request letter for a diabetes prevention program"
"Critical evaluation of five sources on Jamaican diabetes"
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