The 4 Non-Communicable Diseases

And they’re off to a healthy start . . . To kick start ‘New Generations’ month, the Rotarians and guests of the Sunrise Club began last Thursday’s meeting with a healthy assortment of fresh fruits, herbal tea, glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure checks, and key factors to promoting a healthy lifestyle.

 

Guest speaker, Mrs. Dorcena Nixon-Rolle, VP of Patient Care Service at Doctor’s Hospital briefed the Rotarians on the four most preventable non-communicable diseases plaguing Bahamians.  Her team of technicians who tested the Rotarians accompanied her. 

 

According to Mrs. Nixon-Rolle, the diseases - i. cardio vascular disease, ii. diabetes, iii. chronic respiratory disease, and iv. one-third types of cancer, are preventable.  Common contributors to these diseases are excess alcohol consumption, smoking tobacco, over eating, and lack of exercise. 

The World Health Organization’s 2011 statistics ranked The Bahamas as having the worst level of health within in the UN.  60% of deaths in The Bahamas are a result of non-communicable diseases. Categorized, 30% - heart disease; 16% - cancer related to smoking; 6% - diabetes (Type 2 being the most common); and 3% - respiratory diseases.

 

Mrs. Nixon-Rolle encouraged the motivated audience to limit their alcohol intake – advising them of appropriate amounts for their gender; quit smoking or never engage; exercise daily; and commit to a healthy diet.