Transform Your Health: Andrews SDA and Uchee Pines Lifestyle Institute Team Up for Groundbreaking Health Symposium

The Health and Wellness Ministries of Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church, in collaboration with Uchee Pines Lifestyle Institute from Alabama, is organizing an important symposium. This event aims to educate people on how to make lifestyle changes that can help reverse non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The launch took place at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, where health experts presented concerning findings about Jamaica’s health crisis, which affects people of all ages and abilities.

Dr. Derria Cornwall, a consultant radiologist and Health Ministries director at Andrews Memorial, emphasized that the symposium will cover practical and affordable ways to combat serious health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Participants will learn how to manage stress and sleep better.

From February 26 to March 1 at Andrews Memorial on Hope Road in St. Andrew, the institute will work closely with local doctors, lifestyle experts, and counselors to offer lectures, workshops, and personal medical consultations. Several medical professionals from Uchee Pines will be involved in this initiative.

Dr. Simone Spence, acting chief medical officer, shared alarming statistics about the state of health in Jamaica. According to the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey, one in three Jamaicans has high blood pressure, and many are unaware of their condition. Additionally, about half of all people with diabetes don’t know they have it. Concerned about rising obesity rates, she highlighted that many Jamaicans are not getting enough fruits and vegetables in their diet and lead sedentary lifestyles.

Jamaica ranks among the top 10 countries in the Americas for diabetes and cancer outcomes. Diabetes is the leading cause of death, especially in men, followed by strokes and various cancers. The alarming trend shows young people are developing these diseases earlier in life.

Dr. Meade from the Medical Association of Jamaica mentioned that NCDs account for nearly 80% of deaths in the country. He stressed the importance of lifestyle choices and the need for better public awareness about healthy eating and living.

Dr. Alfred Dawes, a bariatric surgeon, highlighted the need for a mindset shift regarding chronic diseases, urging individuals to take responsibility for their health instead of waiting for government intervention. He called for better access to healthy meals and better food labeling in restaurants to help people make informed choices.

Professor Floyd Morris, a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, talked about the rights of disabled individuals regarding healthcare access. He stressed the importance of making healthcare services more accessible to everyone, including the hearing impaired.