Santo Domingo.- To strengthen health and safety efforts during Holy Week 2025, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health launched the “Safe Holy Week” campaign this Tuesday, delivering 50,000 first aid kits to the Dominican Red Cross, Civil Defense, provincial health authorities, and local health areas. The campaign aims to reduce injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents and ensure a rapid response to emergencies during the holiday.

Deputy Minister Dr. Gina Estrella emphasized the importance of prevention, urging citizens to act responsibly and follow road safety rules. The kits—created with the support of PROMESE/CAL and Banco de Reservas—contain items like alcohol, pain relievers, gloves, antibacterial gel, and bandages, and will be distributed at toll booths and travel exit points across the country.

Minister of Health Dr. Víctor Atallah called for caution during travel and celebrations, warning against speeding, distracted driving, and alcohol consumption. He also advised travelers to check their vehicles, rest before long drives, stay hydrated, and carry all necessary documents and safety items. On beaches and rivers, he urged the public to observe warning signs and supervise children at all times. The campaign promotes a culture of safety and reflection, encouraging citizens to enjoy responsibly and return home safely.

View the full post Rotaract Club of Grenada hosts free health fair for World Health Day on NOW Grenada.

Thirteen years after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, a California woman is more vibrant than ever — and she has just embarked on a walk across America to showcase the power of action in healthy aging.

Judy Benjamin, PhD, now 80 years old, set off on Saturday, April 5, on a 3,000-mile journey across the country. 

Over five months, she will walk from San Diego, California, to St. Augustine, Florida.

STROKE, DEMENTIA AND DEPRESSION SHARE THESE 17 PREVENTABLE RISK FACTORS

"People wonder why would I put myself through this," Benjamin said during an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital the evening before her walk began. "I really want to share with others not to be discouraged." (See the video at the top of this piece.) 

"Life is here to enjoy, and age is a number, but you don't have to be identified and characterized by that number."

Benjamin was 67 when she first learned of her early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. 

It wasn’t a surprise, as she comes from a long line of relatives who were affected by that form of dementia. Her mother, one of 13 children, was 63 when she was diagnosed, and nine of her uncles also got it.

"So obviously it was very scary for me," Benjamin said during an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital the evening before her walk began. 

NEW BLOOD TEST DIAGNOSES ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND MEASURES HOW FAR IT'S PROGRESSED

After her mother passed away, Benjamin — who had a high-pressure job at the time — started getting symptoms.

"I was working overseas and started to get really worried because I couldn't remember things — even my own phone number or locker combination," she recalled. "I got lost driving, when I'm always really good about direction."

Benjamin also started to struggle to remember her grandchildren’s names, and even had trouble reading a newspaper article.

"I knew that it was going downhill really quickly, and I was extremely depressed and distressed about that," she recalled.

Brain scans showed that Benjamin had a lot of amyloid plaque, as well as some damage to the right and left parietal areas of her brain. 

"I started to get really panicked," she said.

A close friend recommended a doctor in California, Dr. Dale Bredesen, who was doing some innovative research on treating Alzheimer's.

"He explained his theory that Alzheimer's is not caused by one thing — it’s a number of different assaults on the brain, which causes it to become inflamed," she said. "And he said it was different for everybody. Some people are more affected by some things than others."

ALCOHOL LINKED TO BRAIN DAMAGE FOR HEAVY DRINKERS, STUDY FINDS

Bredesen worked with Benjamin to help her reduce the inflammation through a number of steps.

"So I wrote down what he recommended, and I flew back home and I started implementing it to the letter — I changed my whole lifestyle," she shared.

Some of those lifestyle changes involved optimizing her sleep, ensuring healthy indoor air, incorporating meditation to reduce stress and starting an exercise routine.  

"I also totally changed my diet," Benjamin shared. "I stopped drinking diet soda, stopped eating sugar, and started eating more whole foods and natural foods — like vegetables and fruit."

"It’s super important to follow all of the instructions to do what you need to do, and not be casual about it."

Gradually, she said, things started to change. 

ALZHEIMER’S-RELATED DEMENTIA COULD BE PREVENTED BY EXPERIMENTAL DRUG, RESEARCHERS SAY

"It wasn’t overnight; it’s not a magic bullet," she said. "But I realized one day that I could remember my grandchildren's names again."

After seeing firsthand the positive effects of her new lifestyle, Benjamin felt compelled to help others. She ultimately became a national board-certified health and wellness coach, specializing in brain health and neurology.

Benjamin said she has been doing longer walks to prepare for her 3,000-mile walk.

"I think there's really no way to train for a 3,000-mile walk, except walk as much as you can," she said. "I think walking is the most natural thing that a human being can do. I mean, we were born to walk."

"I just have to be careful to keep hydrated."

HIGHER DEMENTIA RISK SEEN IN WOMEN WITH COMMON HEALTH ISSUE

Benjamin will be joined on her cross-country walk by a "great support team" as well as a film crew who will gather footage for an upcoming documentary.

"I do have an RV with a very comfortable bed, shower and cooking facilities," she said. "Whenever possible, if there's a nice hotel or motel, we'll stop, but in the long, remote stretches, we'll be sleeping in the RV."

She is also supported by several wellness sponsors, including Apollo Health and CareScout, a provider of long-term care and aging solutions. 

The goal is to shoot for 20 miles per day, depending on the weather and terrain.

"I will plan on stopping one day a week to rest my body, maybe take a sauna or just kick back," she said.

"It's pretty much me as an individual, but I am encouraging people to come and join me and walk with me."

Today, at 80, Benjamin said she feels younger than she did before her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

"I'm very energetic and healthy — I have great flexibility and I do have confidence that I will continue to be healthy," she told Fox News Digital. 

That said, she added, life is "kind of like a crapshoot."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

"Anything can happen — I'm very aware of that, but all my numbers are great. My blood work, my bone studies, everything is in such good shape that I'm not really worried. I don't spend much time on the negative."

Benjamin hopes that her walk will serve as motivation for others to embrace healthier, more active lifestyles for better brain function.

"When I received my diagnosis, I had a choice — I could let it define me, or I could take action," she said. 

"I want people to see that, no matter your age or circumstances, there are steps you can take to live a healthier, more vibrant life. This walk is about proving that possibility."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

People can follow Benjamin’s journey at Judywalks.com, @judywalksamerica on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube; and on CareScout’s Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

In its bulletin corresponding to Epidemiological Week Number 13, the Directorate of Epidemiology (DIEPI) shows that most diseases under special surveillance maintain a downward trend.

Among these health events are leptospirosis, cholera, COVID-19, human rabies, and other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as meningococcal disease, diphtheria, and polio.

Likewise, this week, the number of dengue cases continued to be low, with six cases reported. Children between one and four years of age were the most affected. Up to the 13th epidemiological week, there were 58 cases of the disease.

Nine confirmed cases of malaria remain in the already identified hotspots (San Juan, Azua, and Santo Domingo). This year, there have been 135 cases, and the accumulated incidence stands at 5.02 per 100,000 inhabitants.

No cases of leptospirosis have been recorded for this week. The accumulated number of confirmed cases is 20 this year, and the incidence of suspected cases is 0.75 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The DIEPI bulletin highlights the circulation of several respiratory viruses, such as influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, Influenza A (h3n2), Adenovirus, and SARS COV-2, for which the Ministry of Public Health has reinforced monitoring and case-control strategies through sentinel surveillance and virological analysis.

It urges people to take preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing, mask use in people with flu-like symptoms, and going to the nearest health center in case of fever or general malaise.

Maternal and infant deaths

In epidemiological week 13, two maternal deaths were reported, corresponding to women of Haitian nationality. The accumulated number of cases is 42 deaths up to this epidemiological week; last year, there were 49 accumulated deaths on the same date.

Twenty-eight infant deaths were reported this week, compared to 36 deaths reported the previous year, reflecting a reduction in the indicator. The accumulated total is 448 deaths this year, and in 2024, 557 deaths were reported at the same date.

Santo Domingo.- In an increasingly interconnected world, business leaders are navigating complex pressures at the intersection of corporate performance and human well-being. This challenge arises as artificial intelligence (AI) significantly alters the nature of work, automating tasks, potentially reducing entry-level positions, and accelerating the pace of change. These are some of the key findings from Deloitte’s newly released “Global Human Capital Trends 2025” report.

The report reveals that this evolving landscape creates competing demands for employees, managers, and organizations. These include the urgent need to bridge a widening experience gap as traditional entry-level jobs become less prevalent, the importance of supporting individual development amidst the transformation of middle management roles, and the necessity of ensuring that both workers and organizations can fully harness the potential of AI.

Deloitte’s research emphasizes how organizations can turn these tensions into opportunities by fundamentally rethinking talent development beyond conventional approaches, reimagining the responsibilities of managers, and strategically leveraging AI to generate value for both the company and its workforce. This is particularly critical given that only a tiny fraction, around six percent, of workers believe their organization is making significant strides in creating this shared value.

A central challenge identified in the report is the growing divide between the demand for experienced workers and the reality that many qualified candidates lack the necessary practical experience. Furthermore, the decline in traditional entry-level roles is hindering the ability of new entrants to gain foundational experience.

To overcome this hurdle, Deloitte suggests that organizations should shift their focus from rigid experience requirements to hiring based on demonstrable skills and future potential. Notably, the report highlights that a strong majority of executives (73%) and workers (72%) agree that organizations need to do more to connect their workforce with opportunities for experiential learning. Additionally, almost three-quarters (74%) of surveyed workers, managers, and executives consider it vital to prioritize the development of human capabilities.

Addressing the skills gap and the evolving role of management

The traditional role of middle managers is also poised for a significant transformation as organizations and employees adapt to rapid changes and the increasing integration of AI. While organizations benefit from having dedicated individuals focused on employee growth, many managers currently spend a disproportionate amount of their time on administrative tasks rather than on talent development. The report suggests that AI can assist managers in balancing their daily responsibilities, allowing them to dedicate more time to their people and become more agile leaders.

Organizations that successfully redefine the manager’s role will be better equipped to navigate an increasingly complex and AI-driven future. The data shows that managers currently spend nearly 40% of their time on problem-solving and administrative duties, with only 13% dedicated to the development of their team members. Moreover, over a third (36%) of managers report feeling inadequately prepared to lead people, and 40% have experienced a decline in their mental well-being after becoming managers.

As AI becomes more integrated into the daily workflows of employees, it is subtly and unexpectedly changing their overall work experience. The collaboration between humans and AI is increasingly becoming a vital component of the modern “employee value proposition” (EVP) – the reasons why individuals choose to work for and remain with a particular company. An updated EVP can enable organizations to better support their employees and adapt to these evolving dynamics.

Furthermore, leaders who clearly communicate the role of AI in transforming work, fostering career growth, and promoting work-life balance can foster greater trust within the workforce. The report indicates that over half (52%) of leaders believe that the potential value of deeper human-machine collaboration is highly significant. Furthermore, more than 70% of managers and workers are more likely to join and stay with an organization if their employee value proposition helps them thrive in an AI-powered world.

Karen Pastakia, Global Human Capital Leader at Deloitte Canada, emphasized this point, stating, “Focusing too heavily on short-term results can come at the expense of long-term value creation. Yes, organizations can leverage advancements in AI to drive value and improve outcomes. However, those that effectively utilize this technology to identify and address emerging challenges, create a better quality of life for workers, and reimagine rigid management structures have the potential to unlock greater value for all their stakeholders.”

The “Global Human Capital Trends 2025” report is based on a survey of nearly 10,000 business and HR leaders across various industries and sectors in 93 countries. In addition to the extensive global survey, Deloitte supplemented its research this year with targeted surveys of workers, managers, and executives to uncover potential gaps between leadership and management perceptions and the realities faced by workers. These survey data were further enriched by over 25 interviews with executives from leading organizations.

For more detailed information, the full report can be accessed on the Global Human Capital Trends 2025 webpage.

Santo Domingo.- The General Directorate of Livestock (Digega) reported that since the beginning of the year, outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) have impacted around 72 backyard pig farmers across the provinces of Dajabón, La Vega, Duarte, and Espaillat. Interventions have been carried out in several affected communities, including Guanábano (La Vega), Guanuma (Monte Plata), and El Pino (Dajabón).

Digega’s general manager, Abel Madera, noted that while current outbreaks are less severe than those in 2021, the last 20 days have marked a peak in reported cases. Despite this, the situation remains under control. Authorities also revealed that testing rates remain below 1% of the pig population.

To support affected farmers, the government is preparing a Compensation Plan—soon to be announced by President Luis Abinader—that will include financial aid and alternative agricultural options to secure livelihoods. Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Limber Cruz emphasized that certain provinces remain more vulnerable to ASF due to their proximity to the Haitian border. In response, surveillance has been increased within a 20-kilometer range to help contain the spread.

Love Talks initiative addressed critical social issues, including sexual health and intimate partner violence, offering both informative and inspiring insights, counselling and testing

View the full post Sandals Team hosts Love Talks on NOW Grenada.

View the full post Grenada reporting increase in sexual transmitted infections on NOW Grenada.

As the global health community sounds the alarm over the rate at which antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is rising and global health systems strain under the weight of complex diseases, Barbadian ethnobotanist Dr Sonia Peter is calling for a return to the island’s natural roots as a solution. 

She is urging the government and private sector to invest seriously in the development of a local medicinal plant industry rooted in the island’s rich biodiversity and traditional healing knowledge.

“We need to go back into our history,” Dr Peter, director of the Biocultural Education and Research Programme, told Barbados TODAY over the weekend following a kitchening gardening workshop. “There is value in our plants, and there is value in our knowledge. What we lack is the investment and infrastructure to harness it properly.”

Citing a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report on the integration of traditional medicine into public health systems, Dr Peter argued that Barbados must act now to both preserve and commercialise its botanical wealth before it disappears—along with critical knowledge passed down through generations.

“The WHO estimates that nearly 80 per cent of the global population still relies on traditional healing methods. That tells us this isn’t folklore—it’s fundamental, and we need to standardise it [local remedies] so people know how to use it safely and effectively,” she said.

Dr Peter’s warning comes amid rising global concern over antimicrobial resistance, a phenomenon where bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens evolve to outsmart conventional medications. The consequences are dire, she said, as common infections could become untreatable, surgeries riskier, and public health gains of the past century could be reversed.

“We’ve been treating microorganisms in a very temporary way. We treat them, then forget. We misuse medications. That’s how resistant strains emerge—organisms evolve, get stronger, and our drugs become useless,” she warned.

Her solution? A homegrown response rooted in the Caribbean’s natural pharmacopeia.

Dr Peter explained that the Caribbean is a biodiversity hotspot, home to hundreds of unique plant species that produce molecules not found anywhere else in the world. This, she argues, places Barbados in a prime position to develop locally derived natural therapies that could supplement national healthcare efforts—and reduce dependency on imported drugs.

“These plants are making molecules peculiar to our region. That’s exactly where we should be looking for new treatments,” she said. “We must stop calling everything ‘bush’ and start seeing these resources for what they are—life-saving and economically valuable.

“We do not have the luxury of just doing science because we like it. As a small nation, we must extract value from our scientific investment, and that starts with protecting our intellectual property,” she stressed.

Over the years, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has lamented that there were too many people dying as a result of antimicrobial resistance while addressing audiences locally, regionally and internationally. 

Mottley, who is co-chair of the One Health Quadripartite Global Leaders Group, said she had a moral duty to speak up about the dangers of overreliance on antibiotics, referring to it as a “slow motion silent pandemic”.

Beyond health, Dr Peter sees untapped economic potential in the development of a natural medicine sector in Barbados, pointing to Cuba’s successful model, which fuses traditional medicine with scientific rigour.

“Cuba is an excellent example. They’ve built a robust healthcare system partly on their own medicinal knowledge because they were forced to innovate. We don’t need to wait until we’re backed into a corner,” she said.

She envisions a dual-sector approach—combining research and development with eco-wellness tourism, where visitors can engage in healing retreats, botanical experiences, and herbal product lines unique to the island.

“This could be a niche market in tourism, as well as a driver of economic diversification. The future is in value-added knowledge, and we’re sitting on a green goldmine,” she said.

However, she also acknowledged the cultural fragmentation that has led to the erosion of traditional practices in Barbadian households. 

“The grandmothers who once held this knowledge are now working. Our social structures have changed. But those gaps can be filled through education and outreach,” she explained.

Her programme seeks to reintroduce this lost knowledge into schools and communities, bridging generational divides and reigniting respect for local plants. “We must reconnect with our landscape, our heritage, and our health . . . We are cutting down plants without knowing their value. What if that plant was the cure for cancer?” she asked. “We need more rigorous policies around our botanical resources—and the courage to invest in ourselves.” 

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

The post Hidden cure: Scientist urges investment in natural remedies appeared first on Barbados Today.

Youth advocates on Monday marked World Health Day by calling for a ban on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, urging policymakers to build on recent health initiatives aimed at tackling the nation’s childhood obesity crisis.  

In a letter to Suleiman Bulbulia, chair of the National NCD Commission, the youth representatives from the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition praised government policies designed to encourage Barbadians to adopt healthier eating habits and resist the marketing of unhealthy foods in schools.  

“We wanted to say ‘thank you’ to our policymakers for the strides already made—like the 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks, the school nutrition policy implemented in February 2023, and the recent removal of VAT and import duties on certain fruits and vegetables,” said Michron Robinson, youth health advocacy officer. 

“But we also wanted to raise the alarm on the need to ban direct marketing of unhealthy foods to children. Our schools should be safe, health-promoting spaces—not playgrounds for junk food advertising.”  

Robinson noted that the school nutrition policy marks a significant shift in national health priorities, but implementation remains incomplete. One in three Barbadian children is overweight or obese, and the ripple effects are already being felt in families, workplaces, and the national economy.  

“We have a crisis on our hands. Childhood obesity is not just a health issue—it’s a societal issue,” Robinson said. “Healthy beginnings are essential for hopeful futures, and that starts with what we allow into our schools, from food options to advertising.”  

Bulbulia praised the youth advocates for their leadership and vowed to ensure their concerns reach key government ministries.  

“Our youth are speaking clearly, and we’re listening,” said Bulbulia. “If we want a hopeful future for Barbados, we need to take care of our health now—not when we’re 40 or 50, but from early childhood. The school nutrition policy is a critical part of this.”  

He stressed the contradiction in banning alcohol and tobacco advertising to minors while allowing the promotion of high-sugar, high-fat foods that lead to serious health problems.  

The NCD Commission has pledged to expand public education and policy support for healthy eating, with Bulbulia noting that the broader cultural shift must also involve families, communities, and the private sector.  

“This World Health Day, we encourage every Barbadian to reflect not just on their personal habits but on the systems that influence those habits,” he said. “We have made progress, but we must now move with greater urgency to protect the next generation.” 

(SZB)

The post Youth advocates urge ad ban in childhood obesity fight appeared first on Barbados Today.