JN Group

2 min read

Seniors Certified! St Thomas Seniors Graduate from Computer Training Programme
Full article

2 min read

Step Up Disaster Preparedness as Hurricane Season Peaks
Full article

NCDs Could Impact Productivity – Health and Wellness Minister

2 min read

Jamaica could lose an estimated $47 billion in workforce productivity over the next 15 years, if more is not done to reduce the impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) on the population.

Dr. Christopher Tufton, who was speaking during the plenary session of the Bi-Annual Jamaican Diaspora Conference about Health and Wellness, highlighted that NCDs were β€œa clear and present danger,” because they represented two-thirds of all deaths which occur in Jamaica.

β€œThe economic consequence of our current health status is that we are going to be challenged to expand and prosper, because of productivity issues, if we do not address the impact of NCDs,” Dr. Tufton stated.

β€œWe have conducted studies, which indicate that financial loss in workforce productivity over the next 15 years, could cost as high as $47 billion dollars. Medical costs from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes alone, over the next 15 years, could be as high as $29.8 billion,” the Health and Wellness Minister affirmed.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) are not transmitted from person to person via direct or indirect contact. They are however heavily influenced by lifestyle choices. The most common NCDs include cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes. NCDs share several common, modifiable risk factors – tobacco use, harmful alcohol abuse, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet.

He noted that cardiovascular diseases claim about 6,000 lives per year in Jamaica, while cancer claims some 4,000.

β€œIn total, we have about 17,000-18,000 deaths in the country, annually; and NCDs remain a major threat, accounting for 67 per cent of that number; as opposed to mosquito borne illnesses and viruses. It is not unique to us, and there are many reasons for that. But it does suggest one critical thing, we must invest in getting Jamaicans to change their lifestyle,” he advised.

He added that this had repercussions on the economic survival of families.

β€œA World Bank Study reports that in the average Jamaican hous

author avatar
JN Group
Was This Helpful
Was This Helpful?

Check out more stories like this

2 min read

Seniors Certified! St Thomas Seniors Graduate from Computer Training Programme

There was excitement at the normally quiet St Thomas Parish...

2 min read

Step Up Disaster Preparedness as Hurricane Season Peaks

As the Atlantic Hurricane Season reaches its most active period,...

2 min read

Equip Your Children with Money Tools, Skills for New School Year

As children prepare to head back to school, families are...

The Jamaica National
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.