PAHO and AIDS Healthcare Foundation to collaborate on elimination of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean

Cristina Mitchell

2 May 2023

Less plaque, fewer cavities and healthier gums may be the more obvious benefits of flossing your teeth — but did you know it could also lower your risk of heart disease?

"There are a lot of studies that have talked about — at least for periodontal disease — the connection between gum disease and heart health," said Sasha Ross, DMD, a periodontist for Cleveland Clinic. 

Gum disease can cause high blood pressure and lead to inflammation and bacteria in the heart, research has shown, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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"There’s really a very strong association between the two, where patients who have periodontal disease are at a much greater risk for having heart disease, stroke or other issues like that," Dr. Ross also told Fox News Digital.

Some 43% of adults 30 and older have some type of gum disease, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For adults 65 and older, that number rises to 70%.

Some people are more susceptible to complications even if they brush and floss every day, while others can do the bare minimum but have no issues at all, Dr. Ross pointed out. 

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Those who have heart valve disease are at a higher risk, according to Dr. Marietta Ambrose, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.

"The bacteria that live in your mouth when you have gum disease can cross into your bloodstream, enter the heart and directly infect the vulnerable heart valves," she said in a 2022 article on Penn Medicine’s website. 

"That’s especially concerning in our patients who have artificial heart valves."

People should brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day, either before or after brushing, says the American Dental Association (ADA).

Some signs of flossing negligence include bleeding or swollen gums, plaque buildup, cavities, loose teeth, bad breath and gum recession, Dr. Ross said.

"I think a lot of people are never taught how to properly floss and what kind of floss to use, so at one of these visits we can work with you and show you how to do it," she said. 

"Then just make it part of your daily routine. I say it’s really good to floss once a day, ideally at night before you go to bed."

For those who are unsure about the proper way to floss, Dr. Ross recommends using a water pick or special brushes designed to clean between the teeth.

For best results, Dr. Ross recommends flossing between each set of teeth 10 to 15 times in an up-and-down motion. You can start from anywhere in the mouth. For each tooth, use a new, clean section of floss.

Waxed and unwaxed floss are both effective for plaque removal, but waxed floss might be easier for those whose teeth are spaced tightly together, Dr. Ross told Fox News Digital.

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It likely doesn't matter whether you brush or floss first, but Dr. Ross said that one study suggests flossing first may achieve better plaque removal.

"Most people have never been shown how to floss," she said. "Make sure to ask your dentist, periodontist or hygienist to demonstrate and watch you floss."

In addition to regular brushing and flossing, visit a dentist regularly and limit sugary foods and drinks to protect dental health, the ADA recommends.

To read more pieces in Fox News Digital's "Be Well" series, click here.

People with substance use and mental health disorders, the concept of wellness isn't a typical part of recovery.

Margaret Swarbrick, professor and associate director of the Rutgers Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, is working to change that. Her latest contribution, “Journey to Wellness,” is an easy-to-use 20-page guide co-created with people in recovery.

“Typically, people with mental health and substance use challenges are not involved in creating the interventions and tools that can support their recovery,” Swarbrick said. “Journey to Wellness was developed in response to this identified need.”

Many recovery programs are built around steps: Do this first for a prescribed amount of time, then proceed. Swarbrick said she wanted to make something that was more relatable and individual.

“A lot of what’s available to people in recovery is just so boring - impractical advice written by people with no lived experience,” she said. “That’s what makes Journey to Wellness so powerful.”

The guide was developed based on the lived experience of what people said had helped them to pursue and maintain recovery. The guide is organized into four sections and prioritizes taking positive action. For example, human connections are crucial to recovery; the guide’s first tip is to connect with at least one person every day who supports your wellness.

“You can connect by talking to a friend, neighbor, or co-worker, by smiling at a stranger, or through a heart-to-heart conversation with someone you care about,” the guide suggests.

Another recommendation: Unplug. “This means taking a small break, even a minute or less, to relax. Literally unplug from technology, activities or whatever is happening around you. Taking a few moments for a few deep breaths, closing your eyes or looking out a window can help you disconnect if stress is building.”

Sleep is the third tip. The fourth? Do good - for yourself and others.

These concepts might seem obvious, but for people in recovery, self-healing strategies are easy to overlook, said Swarbrick.

Journey to Wellness was created using a co-production strategy - a process of research, service design and educational materials development where people with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges share decision-making power throughout all stages of the process. The concepts are based on a wellness approach Swarbrick has been developing for decades called the Wellness Model. The process of creating and piloting the guide is detailed in a recent paper published in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services.

Reference:

Margaret Swarbrick et al,RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Nine months after the ban on infirmaries and golden age homes accepting new residents was lifted, there has been a surge in admissions.

The ban, which was implemented in 2020, was aimed at protecting residents, some of whom are vulnerable, from the COVID-19 virus. The ban was lifted on July 1 of last year.

"Since we lifted the restrictions on admissions to our infirmaries, over 300 new residents have come into our infirmaries islandwide," stated Local Government and Rural Development Minister Desmond McKenzie.

To date, there are close to 1,600 residents in the island's 13 infirmaries and two golden age homes.

McKenzie, who was addressing the opening ceremony for a male ward at the Westmoreland Infirmary last Wednesday, commended the infirmary staff for its contribution in the upkeep of protocols put in place during the pandemic.

The minister noted that during the pandemic, only 10 residents died across the island.

"There are infirmaries that never had one case of COVID. In my own constituency, the Golden Age Home never recorded one case of COVID. And I want to thank the staff for a job well done because it is your effort working and maintaining the protocols that were set out that caused Jamaica to be one of the leading countries in the care and protection of our elderly in our infirmaries across the world," stated McKenzie.

The ward at the Westmoreland Infirmary was constructed to accommodate 50 male residents. The infirmary already has over 30. Efforts are currently underway to accommodate social cases from the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital.

Last month, the Jamaica Observer reported that the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation had committed to accepting social cases from the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital.

The disclosure was made by mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Bertel Moore during a ceremony for the handing over and commissioning of a $29-million boiler unit and room for the lone Type-B facility under the control of the Western Regional Health Authority

However, McKenzie said the local government ministry had engaged the Ministry of Health and Wellness to take social cases from hospitals which are taking up well needed beds.

"We will ensure that those cases here in Westmoreland will be considered and it will be done based on merit," assured McKenzie.

In the United States alone, approximately 200,000 people annually seek emergency medical care due to food allergies. Unlike the more developed regions of the world, data on the incidence of food allergies in the Caribbean is lacking, however, due to risk factors such as urbanisation, gender, family history and age, it can be concluded that anyone can experience a food allergy.

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy is a response of the body's immune system to specific types of proteins in foods. The outcome of the response ranges from mild to more severe health conditions and even death.

Common food allergens

More than 160 different types of foods have been implicated in allergic reactions globally; however, the following food items have been identified as the most common food allergens: Milk and milk products, eggs and egg products, fish and fish products, peanuts and peanut products, other tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans and their products, wheat and wheat products, soy beans and soy bean products, sesame seeds and sesame products, crustaceans such as shrimp and lobster, and their products.

Food allergy versus food intolerance

Both food allergy and food intolerance are associated with similar symptoms; however, a food intolerance is a response that takes place in the digestive system as an individual's body is unable to digest a particular food compound such as lactose in milk. On the contrary, food allergies occur as the immune system identifies the particular compound in the food item as a danger thereby triggering a defensive response.

Major signs and symptoms associated with food allergies

The symptoms associated with food allergies are often external which may occur within minutes to two hours after ingesting the food allergen. Individuals with Alpha-gal syndrome which is allergy to red meat and other products made from mammals may experience allergy symptoms hours after exposure to the allergen. Rashes, hives (swelling on the skin), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, itching, redness of the skin and in severe cases anaphylactic shock and death are often named as common symptoms or conditions reported in cases where an individual experiences a food allergy episode.

Food allergy misconceptions in Jamaica

Food allergies are often referred to as ptomaine poisoning in Jamaica, as individuals experience swelling of the eyes, itching of the skin, rashes and hives amongst other symptoms, usually after eating tinned foods. In many instances, bissy tea which is made from the kola nut is used as a home remedy when this situation occurs, which is a total misconception. The association between ptomaine poisoning and allergic reaction has been passed down through generations and dates back to a time in history when the term "ptomaine poisoning" was used to describe all cases of illnesses due to the consumption of unhealthy foods, in particular tinned foods that were not prepared properly.

What to do when a food allergy is identified

It is imperative that individuals who experience food allergies, as well adults responsible for children with food allergies, take responsibility by seeking medical attention once a food allergy episode has been experienced.

Identifying the food allergy trigger and sharing the information with their doctor or health-care professional and recording or journalling allergy symptoms such as hives, itching of the skin as well as the time the incident occurred will provide useful information that can be used as a guide for treatment and the prevention of future exposures. It should be noted that there are no cures for food allergy-associated illnesses and in most cases individuals find it difficult to identify the particular food or foods to which they have an allergy; journalling is therefore recommended for children and adults alike.

Disclosing food allergies especially when dining out, as well as paying attention to posted disclaimers regarding the handling of food allergens in a food establishment.

Preparing meals in an environment that will not allow for cross contact of allergens with non-allergen foods or food contact surfaces.

Paying attention to food labels. Many manufacturers tend to add an allergen disclaimer to food packages. Where a food allergy is known, keen attention must be paid to labels when purchasing foods.

Always keeping prescribed medication such as EpiPen (Epinephrine) nearby in the event it is needed for use.

Avoiding the consumption of bissy tea as a remedy for episodes of food allergies. Kola nut/bissy nut is a seed; however, its role as a food allergen is not fully understood; in fact, some researchers have highlighted its role in causing food allergies.

Moreover, the management of food allergies in Jamaica requires a multi-faceted approach.

Restaurateurs, food manufactures and processors along with retailers and regulators as well as policymakers and academia are all important stakeholders with responsibility to ensure that actions are taken to manage food allergies and ultimately protect the health of the population.

Restaurateurs, food processors and other food suppliers are required to demonstrate a duty of care towards their customers. The implementation of in-house food safety management systems geared towards the protection of food and the minimisation of allergen cross contact; factual labelling statements about the preparation and handling environment of food items and the institution of a national food recall policy outlining how mislabelled allergens should be handled are strategies necessary to protect the health of the consumer and minimise the incidence of food allergies and other foodborne illnesses.

A modern food safety policy for Jamaica that is underpinned by the Public Health Act and other regulations is long overdue. A national food handler's training programme guided by current scientific information relating to epidemiology and present trends in the food industry must be forthcoming. Academia and public policymakers should also seek to collaborate and work together in areas of research so that useful information can be garnered to develop well-need policies for allergen management and food safety. Irrefutably these actions and strategies will result in the facilitation of health-care planning and decision-making, as well as the implementation of public health measures that will reduce morbidity and mortality relating to the occurrence of food allergies.

Karlene Atkinson is a public health specialist and lecturer at the School of Public Health, University of Technology, Jamaica.

CHRONIC kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, involves a gradual loss of kidney function.

According to Mayo Clinic, your kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, which are then removed in your urine. Advanced chronic kidney disease can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes to build up in your body.

In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you might have few signs or symptoms. You might not realise that you have kidney disease until the condition is advanced.

Usually individuals with comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes are at an increased risk of developing kidney disease. Based on the incidence of both conditions in Jamaica, it is safe to say about one-third of the population is at risk of developing kidney disease if the prevalence of these diseases increase, and if these diseases remain uncontrolled in the population.

A progressive loss of kidney function is a feature of chronic kidney disease.

Further, Mayo Clinic says wastes and extra fluid are removed from your blood by your kidneys and then passed through your urine. Your body may accumulate hazardous amounts of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes if you have advanced chronic renal disease.

The goal of chronic renal disease treatment is to slow the development of kidney damage, usually by addressing the underlying cause. However, even stopping the cause of kidney disease could not stop the damage from getting worse. Without mechanical filtering (dialysis) or a kidney transplant, end-stage renal failure from chronic kidney disease is fatal.

If kidney damage advances gradually, signs and symptoms of chronic renal disease appear over time. A accumulation of fluid, a build-up of body waste, or electrolyte issues can all be brought on by kidney failure. Loss of kidney function can lead to any of the following depending on its severity: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness, sleep problems, urinating more or less, decreased mental sharpness, muscle cramps, swelling of feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, high blood pressure (hypertension) that's difficult to control, shortness of breath if fluid builds up in the lungs, chest pain if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart.

Kidney disease symptoms and signs are frequently vague. They can therefore also be brought on by different diseases.

Factors that can increase your risk of chronic kidney disease include:

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Heart (cardiovascular) disease

Smoking

Obesity

Being black, Native American or Asian American

Family history of kidney disease

Abnormal kidney structure

Older age

Frequent use of medications that can damage the kidneys

To reduce your risk of developing kidney disease it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle through maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and managing other medical conditions that increase your risk of kidney disease.

If you experience any kidney disease symptoms or signs, schedule an appointment with your doctor. If renal illness is caught early enough, kidney failure might be avoided.

During office visits, your doctor may check your blood pressure and kidney function using urine and blood tests if you have a medical condition that raises your risk of renal disease. Find out from your doctor if you require these tests.

PAHO promotes collaboration between Colombia and Venezuela, outlines plan to make Americas free of foot-and-mouth disease

Cristina Mitchell

28 Apr 2023

On Thursday 27th April, 2023 almost 200 people took part in our webinar: Looking Back to Move Forward – Caribbean Youth Mental Health, reflecting on the ongoing progress and effects that the CYMHCTA has inspired in our Caribbean context and even internationally.

The objectives of the ‘Looking Back to Move Forward – Caribbean Youth Mental Health’ webinar were to:

1. To review the MHCTA objectives and their fulfillment
2. To highlight the primary and secondary effects of the MHCTA campaign
3. To highlight current and future regional efforts to better support youth mental health

Moderators

Neorgia Grant
HCY Member

Stephanie Whiteman
HCY Member and Project Lead MHCTA

Panelists

Gabrielle Edwards
HCY Member and MHCTA Lead in The Bahamas

Sahar Vasquez
HCY Member and MHCTA Lead in Belize

David Johnson
MHCTA Subcommittee Member and President and Founder, LUI OR

Simone Bishop-Matthews
HCY Member and MHCTA Lead in Trinidad and Tobago

Shannique Bowden
MHCTA Lead in Jamaica and Executive Director, JYAN

Dr. Karen Sealey
Chair TTNCDA, HCC Board Director and CSO Support to MHCTA team in Trinidad and Tobago

Ms. Jhanille Brooks
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Consultant, UNICEF Jamaica

Maria Boyce-Taylor
Associate Director Client and Employee Engagement CIBC First Caribbean

Laura Lewis-Watts
Project Lead NCD Child Secretariat, NCD Child

Dr. Claudina Cayetano
Mental Health Regional Advisor, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, PAHO

Dr. Brian MacLachlan
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychiatric Hospital, Barbados

Find out more about the Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action

Background

Mental health has been recognised as an integral element of overall health and as a basic and fundamental right,[1] however its limited prioritization and promotion in national health agendas or policies through the necessary financial and human resources, sends a contradictory message. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to expose the inequities – tolerated by our societies until now, not only in terms of our health but the socioeconomic areas linked to it.[2] Amidst the onset of this global pandemic, the mental health and well-being of groups such as health and frontline workers, women, young people, people living with pre-existing mental health conditions, racial and ethnic minorities, and people living in conditions of vulnerability, were particularly impacted.[2]

In light of this, youth from the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC)’s youth arm – Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY) and across the Caribbean region, embarked on a journey to advocate for and encourage more dialogue and action by our regional policymakers and the public, around the mental health and well-being of our children and youth.

On October 10th 2022, World Mental Health Day, the HCY, with support from youth advocates and civil society organizations across the region, launched the Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action (CYMHCTA). It emphasized a renewed focus on youth mental health and wellbeing, by tailoring and transforming mental health systems in the Caribbean. Sparked by the concerns and experiences shared from youth and other key voices during two webinars held by the HCC, the CYMHCTA was conceptualised. To ensure adequate regional representation, stakeholders were consulted across ten (10) countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago. This document could not be possible without the valuable input and feedback from over 50 consultations held with various stakeholders, including youth advocates, youth organisations, national civil society organisations, private sector, secondary school students, primary and secondary school teachers and underrepresented groups such as persons living with non-communicable diseases (PLWNCDs), and representatives from Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Under the slogan of “There’s no health without mental health”, the CYMHCTA took the region by storm. It garnered regional support from government officials, youth organizations, UNICEF Jamaica and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), as well as international organisations such as the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). Youth from countries such as Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, spearheaded the movement in their respective countries and continue to advocate for the prioritization of the four (4) key calls highlighted in the CYMHCTA:

• Leadership-to prioritize integration of mental health into existing health policies and emergency plans and ensure youth are meaningfully engaged.
• Research-to inform mental health programming and policies.
• Regulations-to protect children and youth from health-harming products, harassment, stigma and discrimination.
• Services-to support the mental health and well-being of children and youth.

Since its launch, the CYMHCTA has amplified the voices of youth in the development of youth-focused mental health policies and plans. HCY members and other youth advocates, with support from in-country civil society organisations, continue to bolster, and foster, relationships with key policymakers. Consequently, being invited to high-level meetings with various national ministry representatives and other key stakeholders and; in the planning and development of youth-centered mental health programs and policies in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Register for the Looking Back to Move Forward – Caribbean Youth Mental Health webinar.

[1] “Policy for Improving Mental Health – PAHO/WHO.” 28 Feb. 2023, https://www.paho.org/en/documents/policy-improving-mental-health.

[2] “The forgotten victims of the pandemic: children and adolescents.” 13 Dec. 2021, https://www.cepal.org/en/insights/forgotten-victims-pandemic-children-and-adolescents.

The post Looking back to move forward – Caribbean Youth Mental Health appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Rodriguez Monegro stated that the problem is not limited to the public sector but also affects the private sector, with high maternal and infant mortality rates indicating the need for improvements. He cited the low level of investment in the health sector as a significant issue, calling for increased funding to be made available for the provision of neonatal care, which he believes is a priority in the country.

Rodriguez Monegro stated that the issue of prenatal care is essential and that the health of the mother is closely linked to healthy, full-term children. He also highlighted that investment in health should be increased so that it can become a government priority, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommending an investment between 6 and 8% of GDP, which contrasts with the 2% currently allocated in the country. The former director further noted that 98% of pregnant women have at least four prenatal check-ups and give birth in institutions with the assistance of health professionals.

However, problems still arise due to the poor quality of care provided, which often leads to infectious problems not being detected in time, causing an increase in premature births.