Standing before a small audience at Sky Mall on Saturday evening, The Most Honourable Dr Corey Forde asked a question that hung heavily in the air: “What has changed in our communities from what was there before, and how do we stop ourselves from going down the road that we shouldn’t be going down?

It was a moment of pause during the Ammar Empowerment Network’s (AEN) Family Empowerment Meeting, held under the theme ‘Rise in STIs and the Impact on Youth’.

Months earlier, health officials reported a rise in gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis infections, with the increase most prevalent among people in their twenties.

Though the evening focused on education and awareness, Dr Forde’s message went beyond statistics; it was a call for moral reflection and collective responsibility as he urged more Barbadians to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), stressing that knowing one’s status early is key to protecting personal health and curbing the spread of infections across communities.

The meeting brought together parents, youth leaders, church representatives and educators for a discussion and truth-telling. The group has worked for years to help parents and young people understand the importance of sexual purity and self-respect in their aim to blend moral education with mentorship and skill development.

For AEN, that mindset begins with returning to the values that once shaped family and community life, such as integrity, self-control and respect.

Directors Ambrose and Maria Carter (right) with volunteers Beverley Mayers and Shawn Callendar.

Directors of AEN, Ambrose and Maria Carter, said, “Our group has spent decades visiting schools, hosting youth workshops and running mentorship and skills-building sessions to give parents and young people a sense of direction and purpose.”

“Today’s challenges are rooted in the messages that dominate popular culture. Between social media, music and online entertainment, young people are constantly exposed to narratives that normalise risky behaviour. So our goal is to counterbalance those messages with an alternative, or rather the original message, and that is one rooted in sexual purity and morality.”

According to AEN, the solution lies in returning to principles that promote self-worth and discipline. Members have been working to reintroduce values-based discussions around sexuality with conversations that encourage empowerment through self-knowledge and restraint.

AEN members also reflected on the evolution of public health campaigns over the years, noting that while condom use was successfully promoted in the 1990s and early 2000s, moral and abstinence-based approaches were gradually pushed to the sidelines. The result, they said, “was an imbalance they have sought to restore through conversations that encouraged parents and youth leaders to see themselves as advocates for a new kind of empowerment, one that blends prevention with principle.”

The Ammar Empowerment Network plans to host similar forums in the coming months, expanding its outreach to include more young people, parents and faith-based groups. The aim, members said, is to build a movement of informed, values-driven citizens ready to make better choices and help others do the same.

As Dr Forde reminded the audience, “No one group can fix this alone. It is about partnership where every family, every community and every person is playing their part.” (DT)

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Kim Kardashian is opening up about being diagnosed with a brain aneurysm.

The Skims founder, 45, announced in a preview clip of Season 7 of Hulu’s "The Kardashians" that her doctors discovered the condition during an MRI scan, telling her family, "There was a little aneurysm."

The cause has not been identified, but Kardashian’s doctors considered that it might be from stress.

MEN'S BRAINS SHRINK FASTER THAN WOMEN'S; RESEARCHERS EXPLORE ALZHEIMER'S CONNECTION

A brain aneurysm is the ballooning of a blood vessel in the brain, which can leak or rupture, leading to bleeding, according to Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Adam Arthur, chairman of neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee, described an aneurysm as a weakness on the wall of an artery, like a little water balloon that forms off a hose.

This is known as a hemorrhagic stroke, which can be life-altering and even fatal. Most aneurysms are small and not serious if they don’t rupture.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Arthur — who is also chief medical officer of Medtronic Neurovascular, a California company that produces medical devices that help treat aneurysms — noted that brain aneurysms are much more common in women.

KIM KARDASHIAN DIAGNOSED WITH BRAIN ANEURYSM THAT DOCTORS ATTRIBUTE TO STRESS FOLLOWING KANYE WEST DIVORCE

This most likely has to do with genetics, although "there's so much about the brain and about genetics that we don't understand," Arthur said.

Aneurysms are present in up to one in every 50 people, according to the expert, and many don’t require treatment or cause a problem.

When they do become problematic, aneurysms can cause a sudden stroke, where a patient may experience the "worst headache of their life." Arthur described this as a "very abnormal headache, often behind the eye."

"That's a very, very dangerous situation," he said. "I believe that with Ms. Kardashian, it may be that they found it before it caused a stroke, and obviously that's a blessing."

While aneurysms form on the weak spots of arteries that are knit together before birth, some factors can make the event more common.

This includes alcohol binge-drinking, nicotine exposure, certain genetic conditions, and the use of drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.

Drugs and nicotine are known to be "very bad" for aneurysm growth and rupture, since they tamper with blood vessel health, Arthur detailed.

The expert added that chronic stress has also been linked to brain aneurysms, noting that an overall focus on sleep, diet and exercise can help reduce the risk.

Knowing the family history for aneurysms is important, Arthur added, as it’s recommended to get a screening exam, or MRI, if two close relatives have had them.

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Although some aneurysms can be suddenly fatal when they lead to a stroke, people experiencing symptoms — typically an intense headache — should see a doctor for treatment options, according to Arthur.

If an aneurysm is found before it bleeds, minimally invasive surgery could be performed to avoid a stroke. Open surgery may also be an option, where a surgeon can pinch the aneurysm shut through an incision along the hairline.

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Smaller aneurysms in older patients can typically be monitored by a physician to ensure that they’re not growing or causing a larger issue, the doctor said.

"We do have ways of fixing aneurysms now that are pretty remarkable," Arthur told Fox News Digital. "What we can do is put a metal mesh over the opening of the aneurysm or fill the aneurysm with a device and then let nature take its course — and so that blood then forms a clot and scars."

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Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., adding that it "disables way more people than it outright kills," according to Arthur.

Fox News Digital’s Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report. Fox News Digital reached out to Kardashian for comment.

“We do not need to choose between school programmes and parental engagement. We should have both”

View the full post Parental consent and parental detachment on NOW Grenada.

As the global population ages, the prevalence of Parkinson’s continues to rise, with an estimated 25 million people expected to be living with the neurological disease by 2050.

The incurable progressive disorder affects motor abilities and other nervous system functions, typically causing stiffness, tremors, balance problems and slowed movement, along with mood changes, cognitive decline and sleep disturbances.

Although Parkinson’s usually emerges after age 60, some early-onset cases do occur.

AIR POLLUTION MAY PLAY A BIGGER ROLE IN COGNITIVE DECLINE THAN ANYONE REALIZED

While aging has been shown to be the biggest driver — and family history also increases the risk — research has shown that some lifestyle behaviors can help ward off or slow the onset of the disease.

"Today, even though it’s not possible to prevent Parkinson’s disease, maintaining a healthy lifestyle — staying physically active, eating well and getting enough sleep — can help protect overall brain health and may reduce the risk of various neurological disorders," Prof. Dr. Pulat Akın Sabancı, professor of Neurosurgery at Istanbul University, told Fox News Digital.

Below, experts shared some of the most impactful prevention methods.

Regular exercise is strongly linked to a decreased risk of Parkinson's disease, according to Dr. Mary Ann Picone, the medical director at Holy Name Medical Center's MS Center in New Jersey.

"Aerobic exercise can be neuroprotective and improve motor function," she told Fox News Digital, as studies have shown that it lowers risk by 50%.

'HARMLESS' VIRUS FOUND LURKING IN PARKINSON'S PATIENTS' BRAINS, NEW STUDY SHOWS

Picone recommends engaging in moderate- to high-intensity activities, such as walking or cycling, for a significant amount of time each week — at least 30 minutes daily.

"Aerobic exercise increases heart rate and helps brain neurons to maintain old connections and form new connections," she noted.

Weight training and resistance exercises are also beneficial, as well as activities that combine balance, agility and coordination, like Tai Chi or dancing, according to the expert.

"Research shows that getting the blood pumping helps the brain tissue build up protective mechanisms and do better on both cognitive and muscle control tests and often live longer," she said.

Picone recommends eating a diet rich in antioxidants and plant-based protein sources — especially beans, nuts and tofu — as well as foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids. It is best to avoid processed foods, she advised.

A Mediterranean or MIND-style diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil and whole grains, has been linked to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.

"Foods that contain antioxidants, such as purple, red and blue grapes; blueberries; red berries, like strawberries; green, leafy vegetables, like broccoli, kale and spinach; and sweet potatoes, acorn or butternut squash are recommended," Picone said.

Coffee and tea drinkers have a lower risk of Parkinson's disease, the doctor noted.

Exposure to certain environmental toxins, like pesticides and heavy metals, can damage neurons and increase the risk of Parkinson’s, according to Dr. George Michalopoulos, founder and chairman of The Neurologic Wellness Institute in Chicago.

"While it’s impossible to avoid all toxins, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure," he told Fox News Digital. "Choose organic produce when possible, use protective gear if you’re working with chemicals, and drink filtered water to avoid contaminants."

During deep sleep, the brain clears out waste products and repairs itself, Michalopoulos noted.

"Chronic sleep deprivation or conditions like sleep apnea can increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s," he said. "Stick to a consistent sleep schedule, avoid screens before bed and create a calming bedtime routine."

EVEN SMALL AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOL LINKED TO HIGHER DEMENTIA RISK IN OLDER ADULTS, STUDY SHOWS

Dr. Vibhash Sharma, a neurologist and medical director of UT Southwestern’s neuromodulation movement disorders clinic in Dallas, Texas, reiterated the importance of quality sleep for Parkinson’s prevention.

"As poor sleep quality and chronic sleep deprivation are associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease, quality and adequate sleep is important for supporting brain repair and clearing abnormal proteins linked to Parkinson’s disease," he told Fox News Digital.

Stress is a part of life, but chronic levels can take a toll on your brain, Picone cautioned.

"It’s been linked to inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are thought to play a role in Parkinson’s," she said. "Finding ways to manage stress can help protect your brain and improve your overall health. Try mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing or even a daily walk in nature."

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Keeping your brain active and staying connected with others can help build "cognitive reserve," which may protect against neurodegeneration, according to Michalopoulos.

"Activities that challenge your brain — like doing puzzles, reading or learning a new skill — are great for keeping sharp," he told Fox News Digital.

Sabanci reiterated that lifelong learning, social connection and purposeful activity support brain resilience.

Smoking and heavy drinking have been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s, Michalopoulos warned.

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"Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake can go a long way toward protecting your brain," he said.

The experts agreed, however, that none of these behavioral changes completely guarantees protection from Parkinson’s.

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"But taken together, they form a practical, low-risk approach to support brain longevity," Sabancı said.

"Anyone with motor changes, loss of smell, REM sleep behavior disorder or persistent constipation should seek medical evaluation early."

Dajabón.- Following a new cholera outbreak in Haiti, Dominican health officials have tightened surveillance and sanitary controls at the Dajabón border to prevent the disease from entering the country.

Provincial Health Director Dr. Zaberkis Rodríguez said inspectors are stationed at the Dominican-Haitian bridge, enforcing hygiene measures, banning cooked food from Haiti, and distributing educational materials in Spanish and Creole. Health staff also monitor the binational market to ensure proper food handling and water safety.

Rodríguez confirmed that hospitals in Dajabón are ready to treat potential cases, with trained personnel and supplies available.

Haiti has reported over 270 suspected cholera cases and at least 17 deaths, mostly in Port-au-Prince. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and partners have launched response efforts amid worsening sanitary conditions.

Dominican authorities urge the public to maintain hygiene, disinfect water, and seek immediate care for symptoms of diarrhea or dehydration.

Santo Domingo.- As Tropical Storm Melissa continues to threaten the country, the Ministry of Public Health has urged the population to take strict preventive measures to avoid outbreaks of respiratory, diarrheal, and vector-borne diseases, which often rise during periods of heavy rain and flooding.

The ministry warned that the storm’s rainfall could lead to water accumulation and river overflows, creating conditions favorable for diseases such as influenza, dengue, leptospirosis, and acute diarrheal infections. “Every family can do a lot to protect their health during this time. Keeping water clean, covering food, and maintaining good personal hygiene are simple but decisive actions,” the institution stated.

Among the key recommendations are purifying water by adding five drops of chlorine per gallon or boiling it before consumption, washing fruits, vegetables, and kitchen utensils thoroughly, avoiding contact with stagnant water or bathing in the rain, and washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially before handling food.

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS) and AF Comunicación Estratégica inaugurated the Seventh International Congress on Health and Wellness Tourism with an opening cocktail at the JW Marriott Santo Domingo Hotel. The event gathered government officials, investors, healthcare and tourism leaders, and international guests, reaffirming the country’s growing influence in global health tourism.

The ceremony was led by ADTS president Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso and vice president Amelia Reyes Mora, who also heads AF Comunicación Estratégica. Both underscored the Dominican Republic’s progress and international positioning in the sector. Dr. Cambiaso highlighted that this success stems from strong public-private collaboration, quality standards, international certifications, and modern infrastructure. Reyes Mora emphasized that strategic and ethical communication has been key to building trust and projecting the Dominican Republic as a reliable and competitive destination for health and wellness tourism.

During the event, the HOMS Health Wellness Center was recognized for its innovative integration of a medical complex, hotel, and convention center meeting international standards, while Dr. Henry Gallardo received recognition for his leadership in advancing healthcare collaboration across Latin America. Supported by more than 60 sponsors and media partners, the 7th International Congress features seven panels and three keynote addresses by national and international experts. The event, officially opened by Health Minister Dr. Víctor Atallah, serves as a platform to promote investment, innovation, and alliances that strengthen the Dominican Republic’s position as a leading destination for health, wellness, and retirement tourism.

Why does hair turn gray? And how is that common hallmark of aging connected to a life-threatening disease? 

A new study may have pinpointed how going gray is connected to one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University, led by Dr. Emi K. Nishimura, found that pigment-producing stem cells in hair follicles respond to stress in dramatically different ways.

BREAKTHROUGH BLOOD TEST COULD SPOT DOZENS OF CANCERS BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR

Depending on their environment, those cells can either die off, which leads to gray hair, or survive and multiply in ways that could trigger melanoma, according to a university press release.

The findings were published Oct. 6 in the journal Nature Cell Biology.

The team studied melanocyte stem cells, the cells that give hair and skin their color, using mouse models and tissue samples. In exposing these cells to forms of stress that damage DNA — such as chemicals that mimic UV exposure — the scientists observed how the cells behaved inside their natural setting.

SKIN DNA BREAKTHROUGH COULD LET 60-YEAR-OLD WOMEN HAVE GENETICALLY RELATED KIDS

Some of the cells responded to the damage by stopping their normal self-renewal process and turning into mature pigment cells that soon died. This left the hair without its source of color, producing graying.

But when the researchers altered the surrounding tissue to encourage cell survival, the damaged stem cells began dividing again instead of shutting down. Those surviving cells accumulated more genetic damage, and, in some cases, started behaving like cancer cells.

Additional experiments showed that certain signals from the cells’ environment — including one molecule called KIT ligand, which promotes cell growth — helped determine which way the cells went, the release stated.

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In other words, the same kind of cell could either fade out harmlessly or become the seed of melanoma, depending on the cues it received from nearby tissue.

"It reframes hair graying and melanoma not as unrelated events, but as divergent outcomes of stem cell stress responses," Nishimura said in the release.

Nishimura’s team described the process as a biological trade-off between aging and cancer, but that doesn't mean gray hair prevents cancer.

Instead, it shows that when pigment cells stop dividing and die off, it’s the body’s way of getting rid of damaged cells, the researchers noted. If that process doesn’t happen and the damaged cells stick around, they could turn into cancer.

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The study was conducted in mice, but its implications could help scientists understand why some people develop melanoma without obvious warning signs, and how the natural mechanisms of aging could actually protect against cancer.

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For now, the researchers say the discovery shows how finely balanced the body’s cellular responses are and how small changes in that balance can mean the difference between a harmless sign of aging and a life-threatening disease.

They showed up in trainers, moved with purpose and left with prizes – but the real win, health officials said on Tuesday, was a commitment to more active living, as the National Sneaker Day campaign drew praise for turning a playful challenge into a serious movement for wellness.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the National Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Commission, celebrated the winners of the September 26 campaign, encouraging Barbadians to move more and live healthier.

At a prize-giving ceremony in the ministry’s boardroom at the Frank Walcott Building, individuals and organisations were recognised for helping make National Sneaker Day a “resounding success”. The campaign generated 117 social media entries, with 111 meeting the official criteria.

Chair of the NCD Commission, Suleiman Bulbulia, applauded the enthusiasm of participants, saying it reflected a growing awareness of the need for healthier choices. “You have done us a tremendous job of promoting this campaign,” he said. “We want to bring a message to the Barbadian public that we need to do a lot more in our lifestyle choices so we can bring down the number of NCD incidences in our country.”

Bulbulia described the NCD crisis as one of the greatest health challenges facing Barbados. “Sadly, too many Barbadians are losing their lives to NCDs,” he said. “Eighty per cent of our deaths or more are attributed to NCDs – diabetes, hypertension, cancer – and now we have added mental health to that list.”

He stressed that most NCDs are preventable through better choices. “It’s not something that passes from one person to the next. It’s choices we make,” he said. “Physical activity is one of those choices. It just takes a little shift in our mindset to say, “let’s get up and make some movement.”

Among the winners honoured were the City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union’s representative, Jamal Maynard, for Most Creative Post; Sagicor Life Inc. for Most Liked Post; Salena Small as Individual Winner; and Ignatius Byer Primary School, led by principal Andrew Thompson, as Group Winner. Bulbulia said he was particularly pleased to see a school among the awardees. “If you start young, we know that will continue throughout the person’s life,” he said.

Senior Medical Officer of Health, Dr Kimberly Phillips, commended all who took part in the campaign and encouraged Barbadians to stay active. “About 200 years ago there was no need for exercise,” she said. “Our lives were hard enough. Today, we have to figure out how to push physical activity back into our lives because of how sedentary we have become.”

Dr Phillips said the ministry wants to make movement fun again. “We may have made exercise look hard and painful. What we’re trying to do is reverse that ideology. We want people to see movement as something they can engage in that’s enjoyable.”

Prizes included gym memberships, tickets to the Atlantis Submarine experience, and a group trip for 40 Ignatius Byer Primary pupils to the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.

Dr Phillips reminded attendees that change must be collective. “If we are going to reverse the current situation, we have to do it together,” she said. “No man is an island. One hand washes the next, two hands wash the face. Barbados, let us continue to participate and support each other.” (LE)

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Residents in St Lucy have demanded clear proof that their water is safe to drink, said a political hopeful on Tuesday, accusing the Barbados Water Authority of offering reassurance without delivering the transparency needed to rebuild public trust.

Wayne Griffith, United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate for St Lucy, called for community-level testing — saying that people in the north continue to live in “a state of uncertainty and expense” over the quality of what flows from their taps.

He was responding to a BWA press conference in which BWA acting Chief Executive Officer Christopher Mapp sought to reassure the public that water being distributed from the Allendale Pumping Station is safe to drink. “All indications show that the water is potable,” Mapp said, adding, “Would I feel comfortable drinking it? Yes.”

But according to Griffth, such assurances have done little to ease concern. While the BWA’s tests at Allendale show safe results, “customers do not collect water directly from Allendale”, and so those results fail to reflect what people are actually experiencing at home, he said.

“The only consistent water source for many residents is the supermarket shelf,” he said, adding that households are spending hundreds of dollars each month buying bottled water on top of their regular water bills. “We urge the BWA to release test results from households in places like Hope Road, Maycocks, Pie Corner, or Checker Hall.”

Griffith also pointed to the age of the island’s water distribution system — with some mains over a century old being replaced at a cost of roughly one million dollars per kilometre — as a likely reason for the discoloured and foul-smelling water that many in the north continue to report. “These old pipes are prone to rust and corrosion. Until they’re replaced, we can’t accept the claim that the water is safe simply because the source tests clean.”

He stressed that residents’ expectations are simple: “Safe water must meet three fundamental criteria: colourless, odourless, and tasteless. Without these criteria being met, we remain unconvinced that our tap water is fit for human consumption.”

The UPP candidate insisted that residents have lost confidence in the system. “I can assure you that in St Lucy, we’re not consuming tap water that’s discoloured or foul-smelling,” he said firmly. “We are against paying the monthly garbage and sewage contribution levy, and the $32 monthly rebate.”

Griffith said that while science and testing are important, public trust must be earned through transparency and tangible results. “Regardless of the scientific assessment which the BWA presents, we will neither accept them as gospel nor be drinking the water until these critical quality issues are addressed at the point of consumption.” (LE)

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