The following is a list of some of the main symptoms of diabetes. When you have finished reading the list, ask yourself if you have any of them. I would recommend that if you do, you should play it safe and see a doctor. This is certainly one situation in which it is better to be safe than sorry.

• Passing your urine frequently: This happens because your body is trying to get rid of the extra blood sugar by passing it out in the urine. This is called polyuria.

• Constant thirst: Your body is trying to rehydrate itself and make up for all the excess urination. The medical term for this is polydipsia.

• Hunger: This is because your body is literally starving for the energy it cannot get from sugar, which is just floating around in the blood and not being taken to the cells. This is known as polyphagia.

• Fatigue: Since the glucose is not getting into your body, it has no fuel.

• Weight loss without any effort on your part: This is because your hungry body has started to use fat and muscle for fuel because it cannot use sugar normally.

• Frequent infections: For example, in the urinary tract and vaginal yeast infections

• Slow-healing sores

• Dry, itchy skin

• Numbness andor tingling in the feet

• Blurred vision

Remember that, although these symptoms give a good indication of the disease, some diabetics may have only a few or even none of these symptoms.

In addition to these symptoms there are also other health problems that can be caused by diabetes. There are many severe long-term complications that are caused by unnoticed and/or untreated diabetes. These include:

• Hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis: This can cause heart disease, peripheral arterial disease (what we call poor circulation), a stroke, or a heart attack.

• Diabetic retinopathy: A type of eye disease that leads to loss of vision. Unfortunately, some diabetics may have this complication and not know it.

• Diabetic nephropathy: A disease of the kidney that has no early symptoms and can lead to kidney failure.

• Diabetic neuropathy: A family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. While some persons with nerve damage may have no symptoms, others may experience pain, tingling, or numbness in the feet, legs, hands, and arms. These nerve problems may occur in every organ in the body, including the heart, digestive tract, and sex organs.

• Poor healing of wounds: Particularly of the feet, which can lead to gangrene and limb amputation.

Testing for diabetes

Diabetics need to learn all they can about the disease, and very importantly, about how it is tested and what the measurements mean. This knowledge can literally mean the difference between life and death.

A blood glucose test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Blood glucose is measured in units called milligrams per decilitre (mg/dl) and millimoles per litre (mmol/l). Measurements give an indication of the sugar level in the blood at the time the test is done.

Our blood glucose levels need to be maintained within a certain range to help us keep healthy. Normal glucose levels fall between 3.8 and 7.8 mmol/l (that's the same as 70 and 140 mg/dl ). Generally, blood glucose levels are lower in the mornings and rise after meals are eaten.

Blood sugar levels measuring above 7.8 mmol/l are indicative of high blood sugar or hyperglycemia. Levels that fall below 3.8 mmol/l indicate low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.

Blood tests must be performed to determine whether someone has pre-diabetes or diabetes. Persons who already know they are diabetic need to have regular blood tests performed to check on how well the sugar is being controlled.

There are four main types of blood tests for diabetes:

1. Random blood glucose: This measures your blood sugar regardless of when you had your last meal. A blood glucose level higher than 11 mm/l indicates the possibility of diabetes (11 mm/l means 11 millimoles per litre; this is the same as 200 milligrams per decilitre (200 mg/dl).

2. Fasting blood glucose: This measures your blood sugar when it is at its lowest, that is, at least eight hours after you ate your last meal. If your blood sugar measures more than 6.1 mm/l or 110 mg/dl it indicates the possibility of diabetes or pre-diabetes.

3. Two-hour postprandial blood glucose: Postprandial means "after meal". The blood sugar is tested exactly two hours after drinking a glucose-rich drink. If your two-hour blood glucose level is more than 7.8 mm/l or 140 mg/dl and your fasting blood glucose is normal, it means you have pre-diabetes. If your fasting and 2-hour blood glucose levels are above normal, it means you are diabetic. Yes, it's that simple to diagnose.

4. Oral glucose tolerance test: This requires that you fast for at least eight hours before doing the test and for a specific period while the test is being done. After blood is first taken, you are given a glucose-rich drink and asked to wait. Your blood will be taken at hourly intervals after you have this glucose drink. This can be done for up to three hours after you have had the drink. The reason this is done is to chart how your body handles a load of glucose over a specific period. A version of this, the O'Sullivan test, is used to test for gestational diabetes.

5. HbA1c or glycosylated haemoglobin test: This gives your doctor an overall picture of how your diabetes is being controlled. The test measures the amount of sugar that is attached to the red blood cells. The results are given as a percentage. Red blood cells live in the bloodstream for about four months and so the HbA1c test shows the average blood sugar for the past three to four months.

Having diabetes is not a death sentence. Get to know your body, how your body responds to food, exercise, and stress. Live your best life!

Excerpts taken from the book A patient's guide to the treatment of diabetes mellitus. ©Jacqueline Elaine Campbell

Dr Jacqueline E Campbell is a family physician and radio show host. She is the author of the book

In medical imaging, and more particularly cardiovascular imaging, AI has become very instrumental in efficiently managing imaging work lists, enabling structured reporting, auto detecting injuries and diseases, and pulling in relevant prior exams and patient data.

In clinical cardiology practice AI helps automate tasks and measurements in imaging and in reporting systems, guides novice diagnostic imaging operators to improve imaging accuracy, and can risk stratify patients.

AI and electrocardiograms (ECG)

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a primary cardiac diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity in the heart to identify overall heart function, heart rhythm abnormalities, and areas of poor blood circulation and prior heart attack. A standard 12-lead ECG breaks the 3D structure of the heart into 12 zones, each showing the electrical activity in that specific area of the heart. This helps pinpoint areas where there are issues with heart blood vessel blockage or electrical performance. Many home-use heart monitors and consumer grade ECG machines use fewer leads and so are less specific as to cardiac conditions or location of abnormal heart rhythms but they can show areas of concern that may warrant further diagnostic testing or treatment. With AI we are able to expand the utility of the ECG, even when obtained with machines with otherwise limited capability.

AI can be applied to electrocardiogram (ECG) data captured by smart watches for example to identify patients with weak heart pumps, according to a new analysis published in Nature Medicine. These findings were reported in a recent study led by cardiologists from Mayo Clinic exploring ECG data from nearly 2,500 patients. The mean patient age was 53 years old and 56 per cent of the patients were women.

The group applied a 12-lead algorithm for poor heart function to the ECG data and found that AI was able to accurately detect poor heart function in nearly 90 per cent of cases when compared with a cardiac ultrasound. Currently, we diagnose heart dysfunction — a weak heart pump — through an echocardiogram (cardiac ultrasound), CT scan or an MRI but these are expensive, time-consuming and often not routinely accessible, especially in patients in rural areas. Therefore, the ability to diagnose a weak heart pump remotely, from an ECG, could lead to a significant improvement in the care of heart patients as it could allow for a timelier detection of potentially life-threatening disease at massive scale and in a more cost-effective way.

With the advent of consumer grade wearable medical devices the opportunity to extend care to patients remotely is profound. Increasing the capability to accumulate data from wearable consumer electronics and provide analytic capabilities to prevent disease or improve health remotely in the manner demonstrated by this study can transform and expand access to health care.

AI in atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a common electrical disturbance of the heart manifesting with irregular heart rhythm. Afib is commonly seen in patients with long-standing hypertension and in older persons. There is accumulating evidence that women may be more at risk for Afib than men. Afib over time can cause the clotting of blood inside the heart and may lead to strokes. The economic cost of the complications of Afib on individuals and society can be very significant. Using AI to screen patients for atrial fibrillation can detect new cases that may have otherwise been missed, according to new research published in The Lancet. The application of this work hopefully can play a major role in preventing life-threatening strokes.

Traditional screening programmes select patients based on age (65 or older) or the presence of conditions such as high blood pressure. While these approaches seem reasonable because advanced age is one of the most important risk factors for Afib, it is not feasible to repeatedly conduct intensive heart monitoring in millions of older adults globally.

The investigators aimed to see if AI could provide clinicians with another screening option for identifying Afib patients. In the study involving over 2,000 patients the researchers demonstrated that AI-guided screening was linked to more detected cases of Afib among both high- and low-risk patients, and confirmed that an AI algorithm can select a subgroup of older adults who might benefit from more intensive monitoring. This is particularly valuable in low-resource environments where undetected and untreated Afib can lead to catastrophic consequences and impose additional drain on an already burdened health system.

Use of AI in chest pain evaluation

In the past 25 years cardiac computed tomography (CT) has emerged as a primary cardiovascular imaging modality and has been recommended as a viable tool for chest pain assessment in the hands of experienced and appropriately trained operators. CT plays a key role in evaluation for structural heart disease — especially for heart valves, repair of congenital defects, and left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) for both pre-procedure planning and procedural guidance in patients with Afib.

CT calcium scoring is also now used routinely for risk assessment for coronary artery disease and to determine which patients could benefit from the use of cholesterol-lowering and stabilising medications. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is used for non-invasive atomical assessment of the heart arteries to determine plaque burden and to identify areas of blockage that may cause ischemia and heart attacks. Additional use of contrast CT perfusion or fractional flow reserve CT (FFR-CT) can offer physiological information on the function of the heart.

Applying advanced AI algorithms for CCTA has been shown to provide additional benefits in patients with stable chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a late-breaking clinical trial presented at the recently concluded American Heart Association Scientific Sessions held in Chicago in early November 2022.

The Prospective Randomised Trial of the Optimal Evaluation of Cardiac Symptoms and Revascularization (PRECISE) Study reported data on more than 2,000 adult patients who presented with stable chest pain and suspected CAD.

Dr Ernest Madu, MD, FACC and Dr Paul Edwards, MD, FACC are consultant cardiologists for Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) and HIC Heart Hospital. HIC is the regional centre of excellence for cardiovascular care in the English-speaking Caribbean and has pioneered a transformation in the way cardiovascular care is delivered in the region. HIC Heart Hospital is registered by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and is the only heart hospital in Jamaica. Correspondence to info@caribbeanheart.com or call 876-906-2107

Santo Domingo
Of the 475,000 doses of influenza vaccine acquired by the State to be given free of charge to high-risk groups, 194,568 people have been vaccinated to date, revealed the director of Immunopreventable by Vaccines, Dr. Lucia Vargas.

Dr. Lucia Vargas said that this vaccine is available in 428 authorized posts. They can also receive the vaccine against Covid-19 to complete their schedules and better protect them against the new circulating subvariants.

She explained that up to mid-week, 16,132,440 COVID-19 vaccines have been applied in the population, corresponding to the first dose, 7,295,993; to the second 6,065,999; to the third, 2 499,887 and with the fourth dose 270, 561 doses.

The director of Immunoprevenibles said that 901,255 people only received the first dose and did not receive the second dose, and that of those who received the double dose, 2,861,622 have not yet received the third dose, for which she urged to complete the scheme.

He urged the population to continue with the vaccination process to be immunized and reduce the effects that may be caused by the different variants that are circulating, which arise due to the non-immunization of the population.

He reminded that the program has 428 vaccinations against Covid and that the country has the Pfizer vaccine for children from 12 to 17 years old and the Sinovac vaccine for children from 5 to 11 years old.

Vargas reminded that the country has availability of the yellow fever vaccine, which is a requirement requested by countries where the disease is endemic, and that 10 thousand new doses are expected to be distributed in the different posts and centers established and to increase the capacity.

In turn, the Vice-Minister of Collective Health, Dr. Eladio Pérez, informed that, during the National Vaccination Day against Rabies, directed by the Center for Prevention and Control of Diseases Transmissible by Vectors and Zoonosis, a total of 162,315 animals were immunized, of which 126,353 were dogs, and 35,962 were cats, to establish an epidemiological blockade to reduce the risks of spreading the virus that causes this disease.

The day will be extended for a few more weeks, so they called on the population to bring their pets to be vaccinated to the provincial health directorates.

Testing posts

The deputy minister of Collective Health of the Ministry of Public Health said that the demand for laboratory tests to diagnose Covid-19 has increased in public and private centers and that the country has sufficient supplies.

Santo Domingo
Of the 475,000 doses of influenza vaccine acquired by the State to be given free of charge to high-risk groups, 194,568 people have been vaccinated to date, revealed the director of Immunopreventable by Vaccines, Dr. Lucia Vargas.

Dr. Lucia Vargas said that this vaccine is available in 428 authorized posts. They can also receive the vaccine against Covid-19 to complete their schedules and better protect them against the new circulating subvariants.

She explained that up to mid-week, 16,132,440 COVID-19 vaccines had been applied in the population, corresponding to the first dose, 7,295,993; to the second, 6,065,999; to the third 2, 499,887 and the fourth dose 270, 561 doses.

The director of Immunoprevenibles said that 901,255 people only received the first dose and did not receive the second dose, and that of those who received the double dose, 2,861,622 have not yet received the third dose, for which she urged to complete the scheme.

He urged the population to continue with the vaccination process to be immunized and reduce the effects that may be caused by the different variants that are circulating, which arise due to the non-immunization of the population.

He reminded that the program has 428 vaccinations against Covid and that the country has the Pfizer vaccine for children from 12 to 17 years old and the Sinovac vaccine for children from 5 to 11 years old.

Vargas reminded that the country has availability of the yellow fever vaccine, which is a requirement requested by countries where the disease is endemic, and that 10 thousand new doses are expected to be distributed in the different posts and centers established and to increase the capacity.

In turn, the Vice-Minister of Collective Health, Dr. Eladio Pérez, informed that, during the National Vaccination Day against Rabies, directed by the Center for Prevention and Control of Diseases Transmissible by Vectors and Zoonosis, a total of 162,315 animals were immunized, of which 126,353 were dogs, and 35,962 were cats, to establish an epidemiological blockade to reduce the risks of spreading the virus that causes this disease.

The day will be extended for a few more weeks, so they called on the population to bring their pets to be vaccinated to the provincial health directorates.

Testing posts

The deputy minister of Collective Health of the Ministry of Public Health said that the demand for laboratory tests to diagnose Covid-19 has increased in public and private centers and that the country has sufficient supplies.

DED can be classified as aqueous deficient dry eye (ADDE),
evaporative dry eye (EDE), and mixed DED. ADDE is due to tear underproduction
by the lacrimal glands. EDE can occur due to causes related to either lid
(meibomian gland dysfunction [MGD] or blink-related) or ocular surface (mucin
deficiency and contact lens wear), resulting in abnormal lipid secretion, tear
film instability, and excessive evaporation of tears. Although EDE is considered
a leading cause of DED, ADDE can occur without obvious signs of EDE and vice
versa.

Further, iatrogenic DED could be caused by topical or
systemic drugs, contact lens wear, and ophthalmic surgical/non-surgical
procedures. Goblet cells, which produce mucins and contribute to the stability
of the tear film and immune defenses, are extremely sensitive to
toxic/inflammatory stress and are reduced in density after exposure to
iatrogenic factors. Owing to the multifactorial nature of DED, medications that
can target multiple underlying pathologies simultaneously are desirable.

Treatment goal for DED is to restore ocular surface and tear
film homeostasis. Current treatment options in the management of DED include
artificial tears or ocular lubricants, nutraceuticals, anti-inflammatory
agents, tear stimulants, autologous serum, antibiotics, and other therapies
(eg, physical treatments such as warm compresses, complementary medicines such
as herbal products, punctal occlusion, and surgical approaches).

Artificial Tears

Artificial tears, which substitute or supplement the natural
tear film, are the first line option in the management of DED. Artificial tears
improve symptoms (burning, irritation, and/or discomfort), and provide
temporary relief of dryness of the eye, but have not been shown to treat
pathophysiology of DED. Ideal artificial tears should spread uniformly and
evenly, minimize friction during blinks, have minimal visual disturbance upon
instillation, be safe/ convenient to use, and effectively improve the
signs/symptoms of DED.

Artificial tears are formulated with polymeric lubricants,
demulcents, buffering agents (compatible with ocular pH of approximately 7.5),
electrolytes, osmolality adjusting excipients, and surfactants, with/without
preservatives. Most of artificial tears are formulated to supplement either
lipid layer or aqueous layer of the tear film. However, some eye drops are
formulated as emulsions, which contain aqueous lubricants (such as
hydroxypropyl guar [HPG], polyethylene glycol [PEG], and propylene glycol [PG])
and lipid ingredients (such as phospholipid and mineral oil). Lipid-based
artificial tears have been shown to stabilize the tear film lipid layer, reduce
tear evaporation, and improve the signs of MGD and EDE.

One of the major challenges with eye drops is low retention
time. To increase the retention time, viscosity enhancing agents such as
hyaluronic acid (HA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are incorporated in eye
drops; these agents also exhibit muco-mimetic properties and reduce desiccation
by forming a protective layer on the ocular surface. However, eye drops with
high viscosity may cause transient visual disturbances (blurred vision) and
also result in debris, leading to intolerance and non-compliance. Thus, to
overcome low ocular retention, in situ gelling chemistry is used; this is
achieved through HPG, a natural polysaccharide, that forms a viscoelastic gel
at ocular pH through cross-linking.

HPG forms the backbone in artificial tears of the SystaneTM
family (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, USA), which are indicated for
the temporary relief of dry eye symptoms (such as burning and irritation) and
ocular surface protection in patients with DED. Artificial tears of the
SystaneTM family include nonlipid-based (PEG/PG-HPG lubricant eye drop
[SystaneTM Original], PEG/PG-HPG-sorbitol lubricant eye drop [SystaneTM Ultra]
and PEG/PG-HPG/sodium hyaluronate (HA)-sorbitol lubricant eye drop [SystaneTM
Hydration]) as well as lipid-based (PG-HPG microemulsion lubricant eye drop
[SystaneTM Balance] and PG-HPG nanoemulsion lubricant eye drop [SystaneTM
Complete]) formulations.

In this review, Srinivasan and Williams presented the
formulation components, mechanisms of action, and the summary of literature
evidence of PG-HPG nanoemulsion lubricant eye drop (SystaneTM Complete, Alcon
Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, USA) that is indicated for temporary relief
of symptoms of burning and irritation in DED.

PG-HPG Nanoemulsion Lubricant Eye Drops

Craig et al demonstrated the treatment of DED according to
disease subtype and severity. In a multicenter, double-masked, parallel group,
randomized controlled trial, 99 participants (mean age, 44±16 years; 64%
female) with DED were enrolled. Participants instilled either lipid-based
PG-HPG nanoemulsion drops (SystaneTM Complete) or nonlipid-based aqueous drops
(SystaneTM Ultra) ≥4 times daily for 6 months; dry eye symptomology, and tear
film and ocular surface characteristics were assessed.49 Both treatments
demonstrated sustained reduction in DED symptoms (Ocular Surface Disease Index
[OSDI], Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 [DEQ-5], and Symptom Assessment Questionnaire
iN Dry Eye [SANDE] scores) from Day 30 onwards (all p≤0.01) and decreased
superior lid wiper epitheliopathy grades from Day 60 onwards (all p≤0.01).

Further, non-invasive tear film breakup time (NITBUT), and sodium fluorescein
and lissamine green staining scores consistently improved from Day 120 onwards
in both groups (all p<0.05).49 Tear film lipid layer grades increased only with PG-HPG nanoemulsion eye drops (from Day 90 onwards); with significantly greater improvement in patients with low lipid layer thickness at baseline (lipid layer grade ≤3; p=0.01).49 Hence, both lipid-based and non-lipid-based artificial tears provided symptom relief within a month.49 Improvements in the tear film stability and ocular surface characteristics were slower than the symptomatic improvements.49 Further, both formulations showed long-term efficacy and a good tolerability profile across DED subtypes; however, improvement in tear film lipid layer grade was observed only with PG-HPG nanoemulsion drops; particularly in subgroup of patients with evaporative DED due to tear lipid insufficiency (with baseline lipid layer grade ><0.05).

Tear film lipid layer grades increased only with PG-HPG
nanoemulsion eye drops (from Day 90 onwards); with significantly greater
improvement in patients with low lipid layer thickness at baseline (lipid layer
grade ≤3; p=0.01). Hence, both lipid-based and non-lipid-based artificial tears
provided symptom relief within a month. Improvements in the tear film stability
and ocular surface characteristics were slower than the symptomatic
improvements. Further, both formulations showed long-term efficacy and a good
tolerability profile across DED subtypes; however, improvement in tear film
lipid layer grade was observed only with PG-HPG nanoemulsion drops; particularly
in subgroup of patients with evaporative DED due to tear lipid insufficiency
(with baseline lipid layer grade ≤3).

In a Phase IV, openlabel, single-arm,
multicenter trial, patients with DED (N=134; 56.6±14.8 years; 75.4% female)
instilled one drop of PGHPG nanoemulsion in each eye, twice daily for 28 days.
The instillation of PG-HPG nanoemulsion eye drops increased tear film break-up
time (TFBUT) by 1.5±2.8 seconds at 14 days; and the improvement remained consistent
through 28 days. It also improved (decreased) ocular discomfort at 14 days
(mean±SD change in visual analog scale [VAS] score, −17.3±24.80). Moreover,
subgroup analysis of patients with ADDE, EDE, and mixed DED indicated that
PG-HPG nanoemulsion was effective and well tolerated in all three types of DED.
PG-HPG nanoemulsion improved tear film stability, and signs and symptoms of DED

DED is a multifactorial condition with ADDE, EDE, and mixed
etiologies. Artificial tears are the backbone in the management of DED.
Lipid-based lubricant eye drops with viscoelastic characteristics are
beneficial in providing temporary relief of dry eye symptoms.

PG-HPG and borate components in PG-HPG nanoemulsion
lubricant eye drops form a thin viscoelastic layer that prolongs retention of
demulcent; thus, provides long-term surface hydration and moisture retention,
and ocular surface protection by improving cell barrier functions and cell
recovery, and temporary relief of symptoms in DED. Moreover, it provides tear
film stability between and during blinks owing to viscoelastic properties of
HPG. Further, PG-HPG nanoemulsion formulation helps to optimize ocular surface
coverage of lipids that is beneficial in replenishing the tear film lipid
layer. Additionally, PG-HPG nanoemulsion lubricant eye drops in the form of
multidose preservative-free system (with Novelia® bottles) is effective,
convenient, and well tolerated in DED patients who have intolerance to
preservatives with long-term eye drop use.

Clinically, PG-HPG nanoemulsion lubricant eye drops have
been shown to improve dry eye symptoms, enhance tear film stability, and lipid
layer thickness; hence, they help to restore eye surface health and provide
symptom relief in patients with DED, regardless of subtypes. Moreover, PG-HPG
nanoemulsion relieves ocular dryness and discomfort associated with daily
contact lens wear, and in prophylactic treatment of dry eye against adverse
environmental conditions.

Conversely, other lipid-based and/or liposome-based
lubricant eye drops, shown to mimic tear film composition, provide ocular surface
benefits and improve signs of dry eye; however, large-scale controlled clinical
studies are required to obtain more robust evidence on the efficacy. With over
a demi-decade of usage, PG-HPG nanoemulsion lubricant eye drops are effective,
convenient to use, and well tolerated in DED, regardless of its subtypes.

Source: Srinivasan and Williams; Clinical Ophthalmology
2022:16 https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S377960

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) continued it’s annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day (CARD) webinar series with a webinar entitled The WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 – Priorities for the Caribbean.  Panelists shared global and regional updates reflecting on the challenges and opportunities to build momentum around Caribbean alcohol policy within the framework of the Global Alcohol Action Plan.

The HCC and partners have held an annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day for the past 6 years, under the themes and titles: The Misuse of Alcohol (2016); Drink less, Reduce Cancer (2017); Youth: Let’s talk about alcohol (2018);  Women and Alcohol (2019),  Alcohol and COVID-19 (2020) and Live Better, Drink Less: Challenges and Opportunities in the Caribbean (2021) .

This year’s webinar was entitled The WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 – Priorities for the Caribbean.

The objectives of the 7th Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day webinar were:

1. To provide an overview of the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 and implications for key stakeholders globally and regionally.
2. To provide an update on regional progress in alcohol policy development and implementation including discussion of barriers and opportunities.
3. To discuss regional priorities for alcohol policy action within the framework of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 in order to inform a civil society position paper targeting the region’s policymakers entitled: The WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 – Priorities for the Caribbean.

The webinar took the form of a series of brief presentations followed by a panel discussion.

• Introduction: Maisha Hutton HCC Executive Director, Professor Rohan Maharaj, HCC Alcohol Policy Advisor, Professor of Family Medicine of University of the West Indies
• Presentations: Moderator, Maisha Hutton
• ‘WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 – Perspectives from the Region of the Americas’  including a look at PAHO’so #LiveBetterTakeAction campaign and Pahola, PAHOs first digital specialist on alcohol use – Dr. Maristela Monteiro, Senior Advisor on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, PAHO
• Global Perspectives on the WHO Alcohol Action Plan 2022 – 2030 – Mr. Øystein Bakke, Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA); Senior Adviser, Alcohol, Drugs and Development FORUT, Campaign for Development and Solidarity
• Alcohol Policy in the Caribbean Update – Professor Rohan Maharaj, HCC Alcohol Policy Advisor, Professor of Family Medicine of University of the West Indies
• Jamaica National Alcohol Policy – Michael A . Tucker, Executive Director, National Council on Drug Abuse, Jamaica
• Presentation of Priorities – Maisha Hutton HCC Executive Director
• Panel Discussion: Regional priorities for alcohol policy action within the framework of the Action Plan 2022-2030: Moderator – Maisha Hutton
• Closing & Thanks: Maisha Hutton and Professor Rohan Maharaj

Maisha Hutton
HCC Executive Director

Professor Rohan Maharaj
HCC Alcohol Policy Advisor, Professor of Family Medicine of University of the West Indies

Dr. Maristela Monteiro
Senior Advisor on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, PAHO

Mr. Øystein Bakke
Department of Institutional Research, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, West Indies

Michael A . Tucker
Executive Director, National Council on Drug Abuse, Jamaica

View the flyer here

The HCC and partners have held an annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Days (CARD) since 2016 you can find details of the other CARD days here.

The post 7th Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day (CARD) 2022 appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Carissa F. Etienne on PAHO's 120th Anniversary: solidarity can help build a healthier and more hopeful future for all

Cristina Mitchell

2 Dec 2022

As a result, the National Police launched an extensive investigation into the poisoning suffered by the educators, prompting the educational district 13-02 to suspend classes until next Monday to disinfect the facility and environment, according to the center’s director. Isabel Veras is an educator.

The Ministry of Public Health was able to determine that the cause of the poisoning was herbicide, which occurred after the teachers inhaled a highly toxic substance sprayed on the campus. “We were able to contact a person who lives in front of the school, and he showed us the container in which the herbicide was supplied, which is a burner for cleaning a patio,” a source close to the investigation said.

A woman who lives near the school would have sprayed this liquid to kill the herbs in her yard, but according to the epidemiologist in charge of the Montecristi health province, she sprayed more than the recommended amount, and with the arrival of the wind, the substance entered the school and caused the poisoning. So far, 15 people, including teachers and children, have been taken to the hospital with poisoning symptoms.

The National Police are expected to look into the situation further so that the person responsible can be brought to justice if necessary.