View the full post Republic Bank announces completion of Hillview Home project on NOW Grenada.

By Sheria Brathwaite

The Barbados Diabetes Foundation has launched a new programme aimed at detecting vascular issues that could further deteriorate the health of people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

During a launch ceremony on Tuesday at the Maria Holder Diabetes Centre in Warrens, St Michael, consultant physician and clinical director at the foundation Dr Diane Brathwaite told the media that the foundation acquired an Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) machine to screen for vascular diseases more than a year ago and after intensive training, it was ready to roll out a national screening programme.

Having an NCD such as diabetes can increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis, which occurs when arteries harden or narrow from a build-up of plaque. People who have diabetes are also more at risk of getting a vascular disease because their blood sugar levels can be poorly controlled.

Dr Brathwaite said it was recommended for people over the age of 50 with diabetes or hypertension to have a vascular screening as part of their regular health checks. She added that younger people who have had an NCD for more than ten years should also get screened, as well as other people, especially young men, who smoke often and those who have a family history of NCDs.

“Another important point is that in our population in Barbados and the Caribbean, for some reason we are seeing severe peripheral artery disease in people at younger ages and when you have diabetes, that peripheral artery disease (PAD) can be very extensive. It means that it doesn’t block off one segment but it blocks off the whole length of the artery.  

“Rates of arterial insufficiency are relatively high in the ulcer patients that we see here. We just did an audit and PAD was present in about 60 per cent of our patients with diabetic ulcers so we advised all of our patients who come for ulcers, to do screening,” Dr Brathwaite said.

She said screening would take about 20 to 30 minutes and it was not painful. If an individual is symptomatic, a management treatment would be prescribed; and if a person was in critical condition, they would be referred to the vascular unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) for further evaluation.

A vascular check should be done yearly and the centre screens for a fee of $100.

Senior medical officer responsible for NCDs with the Ministry of Health Dr Arthur Phillips said the partnership between the QEH and the diabetes foundation since 2014 has borne fruitful results over the years. 

He said the hospital financed the care of about 225 people annually and they received six to nine months of care. 

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

The post National screening programme to help identify vascular problems appeared first on Barbados Today.

A puppy recently tested positive for rabies and was euthanized in New Mexico, according to a news release from the state’s health department.

The animal, located in Bernalillo County, had shown signs that included tremors, lack of coordination and agitation. 

Health officials said the pup might have contracted the virus while in Texas, the news release stated.

Six people exposed to the puppy were treated with post-exposure rabies shots as a precautionary measure. This was New Mexico’s first canine rabies case in 10 years, according to the release.

ARIZONA DOG WHO REUNITED WITH HIS FAMILY AFTER GOING MISSING FOR 12 YEARS HAS DIED

"Young puppies are especially vulnerable to various infectious diseases, including rabies, parvovirus and distemper, until they've completed their full vaccine series," said Erin Phipps, the state public health veterinarian, in the release. 

"It's worth noting that rabies has a prolonged incubation period, often lasting weeks or months from infection to symptom onset, and animals become contagious only after symptoms appear," she added.

The puppy had not yet received its rabies vaccine due to its young age, the release stated.

Several other rabies cases have recently been reported throughout the United States. 

NEW YORK DOG WHO LOVES TO PLAY FETCH AND GO TO THE BEACH IS UP FOR ADOPTION: MEET BO 

On Sept. 6, Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement in North Carolina reported the county’s third case of rabies this year, after a bat that encountered dogs was sent to be tested by the North Carolina State Laboratory. 

On Sept. 11 in Wisconsin, the Racine County Public Health Division reported its second rabies case of this year after a bat tested positive for rabies.

In New York, the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health warned residents about a rabid raccoon that was captured in Hopewell Junction in August.

Each year, nearly 60,000 people die from rabies around the world.

Approximately a quarter of those deaths reported in the U.S. resulted from dog bites that the victims sustained during international travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated on its website. 

RABIES PATIENT BECOMES FIRST FATAL CASE IN US AFTER POST-EXPOSURE TREATMENT, REPORT SAYS

Rabies is a "100% preventable disease" through the vaccination of pets, the CDC said.

"The best way to prevent an outbreak of rabies is to vaccinate," noted Dr. Jeffrey Krasnoff, a veterinarian at Brookville Animal Clinic on Long Island, New York.

Rabies is a highly contagious virus that is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals through a bite, Krasnoff told Fox News Digital.

"The most obvious signs that an animal has rabies are aggressive behavior and excessive salivation," he said. "In wild animals, signs can include being out and about during the day, as well as exhibiting abnormal behavior, aggressive behavior and excessive salivation."

Rabies poses a threat not only to pets, but can also prove deadly in humans if not treated in a timely manner, health experts told Fox News Digital.

The virus can be transmitted to a human through a bite, or by the infected animal’s saliva getting into a person's eyes, nose, mouth or a break in the skin. 

WHAT TO DO IF A RABIES-INFECTED ANIMAL BITES YOU?

"Symptoms of rabies infection include fever, headaches, excessive salivation, muscle spasms, confusion and even paralysis," Dr. Fred Davis, associate chair of emergency medicine at Northwell Health on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.

"The key is to seek treatment before such signs develop, as there is no specific treatment to stop the infection, and only vaccination can help prevent the infection from occurring," he added.

Typical treatment includes a series of rabies shots.

Anyone who has been in contact with the saliva of such animals as dogs, bats, coyotes, foxes, skunks or raccoons — especially if the encounter occurred during the day, when most of these animals are nocturnal, or if the animal in question is acting erratic — should seek immediate emergency treatment, Davis said.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Krasnoff explained that when an animal bites a human, it is recommended that the veterinarian call the state’s Department of Health for instructions, which may include a 10-day quarantine and testing of the animal. 

It is also important for pet owners to check with their vet to ensure that the animal is up-to-date with rabies vaccinations.

Health agencies said that if an animal tests positive for rabies, it is usually euthanized.

"Due to rabies being so contagious to animals and humans, the course of action is euthanasia of a suspected rabid animal," Krasnoff told Fox News Digital.

Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working on a collaborative global effort called Zero by 30, with the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. 

The agency designated Sept. 28 as World Rabies Day to help raise awareness of how to prevent rabies and to help ensure that post-exposure prophylaxis (preventive medical treatment) is available to everyone.

"The world has the vaccines, medicines, tools and technologies to break the cycle of one of the oldest diseases," WHO says on its website. 

"Together in unity, we can eliminate rabies, leaving no one behind."

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

View the full post Service disruption at main office of Ministry of Health on NOW Grenada.

The Barbados National NCD Commission unreservedly supports the urgent call for the introduction of the Octagonal “high-in” front-of-package warning labels to be placed on pre-packaged food and beverage products. The octagonal warning label (OWL) is the best label for Barbados and the Caribbean.

Global and regional scientific evidence, conducted by researchers free from conflicts of interest, supports the OWL as the best option to empower consumers to correctly, quickly and easily identify foods high in sugars, sodium and fats. The OWL has consistently outperformed other front-of-package nutrition labels such as the magnifying glass, the traffic lights and the facts upfront. Research just released shows that the OWL has the potential to avert 16 per cent of the deaths caused by diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 

The support of the Barbados National NCD Commission comes against a backdrop of an epidemic of obesity and NCDs across our region and in Barbados.

80% of deaths in Barbados are caused by NCDs and 76% of premature deaths are caused by this group of diseases.

31% of our children are overweight or obese.

66% of adults are overweight and 33% are obese.

1 in 5 adult Barbadians has diabetes.

We can no longer afford to ignore these dangerous trends affecting the health and well-being of the citizens of this country. We must become more conscious of ensuring the health and wellness of every one of us is taken seriously.

An unhealthy diet dominated by ultra-processed products high in sugars, sodium and fats is the single greatest risk factor for overweight, obesity and NCDs. Overconsumption of these foods drastically increases the risk of developing hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. 

Consumers make purchasing decisions in a matter of seconds, and it takes far too much time to understand the nutrition facts panel on the back of packaged products. Especially now, we need octagonal warning labels on the front of our food packages to easily identify food that has excess levels of key nutrients – especially for people who are living with NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

As the labels are now, it is very unlikely that most shoppers read food labels as they are often confusing and misleading. Having the octagonal “high-in” front-of-package labelling prominently displayed and easily readable will allow the consumer to make informed choices. This type of labelling is hard to ignore.

The health implications and the costs to fight NCDs and other diseases far outweigh the costs to manufacturers in implementing changes to their labels. We have over the years heard the cries from Ministries of Health across the region of the burgeoning costs of healthcare and the billions spent annually dealing with increasing cases of NCDs among our vulnerable population. The introduction of policies such as OWL can save the Government in excess of a billion Barbados dollars as predicted by the aforementioned study.

The octagonal warning label, recommended by PAHO/WHO and CARPHA, is a foundational and enabling policy which forms part of a comprehensive package of evidence-based policy actions aimed at creating healthy food environments in which healthy food is accessible, affordable, attractive, and widely available to all citizens regardless of socio-economic status. The OWL complements the recently introduced Barbados National School Nutrition Policy by providing the information needed to allow school administrators to readily identify foods which should be permitted in school settings.

Right now, CARICOM countries including Barbados, are voting on whether or not to approve a regional standard for the labelling of prepackaged foods which contains the octagonal warning label. Our Commission commends the Barbados Government as one of the governments in our region to vote yes for the Front-of-Package Warning Labels Octagonal System in 2021. As CARICOM continues to review this process, we want our collective voices to be heard and to resonate across the Caribbean in support of front-of-package warning labels.

Silence is no longer an option. Inaction cannot be the solution.

There is a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of our citizens from the onslaught of unhealthy foods and beverages.

Suleiman Bulbulia STE JP 

Chairman 

The post NCD Commission supports front-of-package warning labels appeared first on Barbados Today.

Prostate cancer is a disease found in men that develops in the prostate gland. 

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), with older men more likely to develop the disease. 

Prostate cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common cancer diagnosed in men, according to the source. 

OVARIAN CANCER SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

Symptoms of prostate cancer are typically very minimal, or not experienced at all. 

Below is all you need to know about prostate cancer.

Any type of cancer starts when cells grow out of control in certain parts of the body. 

Nearly every part of the body can be affected by cancerous cells, and they can then spread to other areas. 

RISKS, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS FOR LUNG CANCER, THE DEADLIEST CANCER IN THE WORLD

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer found in men that begins in the prostate gland and can then grow beyond that in more severe cases. 

"The most common symptom is no symptom at all," Dr. Christopher Anderson, a urologist with New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, previously told Fox News Digital in 2017.

Some men may experience symptoms such as pain in their bones and weight loss when the cancer has already spread, Anderson said.

Dr. Philip Kantoff, a medical oncologist and chair of the department of medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, reiterated that the disease does not typically cause symptoms. 

Symptoms could instead be due to an enlarged or inflamed prostate, neither of which are cancerous.

Dr. Ketan Badani, vice chairman of urology at Mount Sinai Health System, said that "some patients may have vague urinary complaints," like having to urinate more frequently, and that there are no symptoms until the disease is advanced. 

The majority of men who have urinary issues do not have prostate cancer, he noted.

Men ages 60 to 74 are considered more at risk, according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program. 

Family history, "especially a first-degree relative like a father or brother" who has been diagnosed, is another concern, Badani added.

AN OVERVIEW OF BREAST CANCER, SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR, WHEN TO START THINKING ABOUT ROUTINE SCREENINGS

African, Afro-Caribbean, South Asian and Hispanic men are more at risk for "more aggressive" forms of prostate cancer, he said.

For men of African descent, there is an increased risk of both prostate cancer diagnosis and dying from prostate cancer, Anderson said.

There are several lifestyle changes men can implement into their lives to potentially reduce their risk of prostate cancer. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and having a healthy diet, according to the ACS, such as one including very little red and processed meat and processed foods, but filled with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. 

Most commonly, prostate cancer is adenocarcinomas, meaning it develops in the gland cells, according to ACS.

There are other types of prostate cancer, according to the source, but these are rare. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Other types are small cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors, transitional cell carcinomas and sarcomas.

In general, prostate cancer grows very slowly. 

Many people who have it die from other causes without ever knowing that they had the cancer, according to the ACS.

Prostate cancer is curable, so long as it's diagnosed early enough, according to Mayo Clinic.

Treatment options will depend on the stage of the cancer and the overall health of the individual. For early prostate cancer, immediate treatment may not be needed, per the source. 

More severe cases of cancer are usually treated through radiation or surgery.

"A discussion with your physician is warranted before symptoms occur," Kantoff advised, adding that men should decide with their doctors if a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which looks at the level of PSA in blood, is right for them.

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

Badani recommended that men receive both annual digital rectal exams and PSA tests. Multiple PSA tests over time are a better indicator of potential concerns as opposed to a single test result, he explained.

If you are concerned you might have prostate cancer, speak to an internal medicine doctor or a urologist, Anderson recommended. He stressed that all patients with blood in their urine should see a urologist.

PSA screening has been a controversial topic in the past. In 2012, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommended against PSA screening when it said "there is moderate certainty that the benefits of PSA-based screening for prostate cancer do not outweigh the harms." 

In 2018, the task force said in its final recommendation that men ages 55 to 69 should discuss potential benefits and negatives of a PSA screening with their physician before undergoing the test. 

While a PSA screening has the potential to reduce the risk of death, negatives listed by the task force include "false-positive results that require additional testing and possible prostate biopsy; overdiagnosis and overtreatment; and treatment complications, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction."

They do not recommend PSA screening in men ages 70 and above.

"Proper use of PSA is what I recommend from an early detection standpoint," Kantoff said.

Symptoms should not be the motivating factor for screening, he said, saying it should instead be a decision in one’s 40s about whether PSA testing should be done. He recommended that those with a family history or people of African American descent think about early detection.

An analysis of previous clinical trials published in 2017 said screening lessened the risk of dying from prostate cancer by 25 to 32% compared to men who did not get screened, a summary for patients explains online. 

The Associated Press contributed reporting, as did Andy Sahadeo and Zoe Szathmary. 

Influenza viruses are constantly changing; for this reason, every year, the composition of influenza vaccines is reviewed in the United States and updated as necessary to match as best as possible with the viruses, which, according to research, will be the most circulating in the season that is starting.

A detail
Dr. Jhan Gonzalez, a pulmonologist, indicates that the suggestions regarding the annual vaccination against influenza have some modifications, such as, for example, a change in the vaccination recommendations for people with egg allergy.

The specialist explains that the timing of influenza vaccination has not been modified; September and October are the best months for most people to get vaccinated. Vaccination is not recommended in July and August in most cases, but there are some considerations for certain groups of people in July and August.

Over 65 and pregnant women
For adults (especially those 65 years and older) and pregnant women in their first or second trimester, vaccination should be avoided in July and August unless they are not likely to be vaccinated in September or October.

Pregnant women in their third trimester can be vaccinated in July or August to ensure that their babies are protected against influenza at birth.

Children
Children who need two doses of influenza vaccine should receive their first dose as soon as it becomes available. The second dose should be given at least four weeks after the first dose. Vaccination in July or August may be considered for children who have medical appointments in these months if there will not be another opportunity. The physician from Centros de Diagnóstico y Medicina Avanzada y Telemedicina (CEDIMAT) assures that vaccination is still recommended as long as there is circulation of influenza viruses that pose a risk. In some seasons, this period may extend until the end of May or June. Gonzalez points out that the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine may depend in part on the coincidence between the vaccine’s viruses and those circulating.

Estimates
According to preliminary estimates, last season, people vaccinated against this disease had between 40% and 70% less risk of hospitalization due to influenza or its associated complications.

People with egg allergy
The significant change in influenza vaccination recommendations for 2023-2024 relates to administering the vaccine to egg-allergic persons. The physician says most current vaccines are still produced with an egg protein culture process and, therefore, contain a small amount of egg proteins, such as ovalbumin.

Recommendation
The CDC advises that the best way to reduce your risk of seasonal influenza and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year, this October.

The Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (B-COP Coalition) continues its drive to prioritising children’s health. This time, it has donated 120 healthy hampers, filled with nutritious snacks for a week.

The recent implementation of the national school nutrition policy by the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training in April has sparked national attention and debate regarding access to affordable healthy food. B-COP Coalition, a leading advocate for this policy, has partnered with key sponsors to ensure these hampers are available, recognising that the back-to-school period can be both busy and costly for parents and guardians.

Dr Kia Lewis, the outgoing Chairperson of the B-COP Coalition, said: “In light of the new National School Nutrition Policy, the Coalition is very happy to roll out this Healthy Hamper: Back to School Edition, which is both healthy and cost-effective. We are targeting children in our childrens’ homes, at-risk youth, and our children in the Yute Gym of the Heart & Stroke Foundation.”

Dr Lewis further explained the initiative’s purpose, saying: “With this drive we wanted to show parents that it is possible to eat healthy on a budget. We know our schools have at least three water days, so the hampers have at least three bottles of water, an even cheaper way would be to buy a water bottle, you will also see several fruits in the hampers, given schools will be having two fruit days. Also, we have packed snacks as well, these are very reasonably priced and they would be compliant to the Alternative Snack and Beverage list, which shows the list of products on the market, which can be bought and given to our children for school.

“We are excited to launch this initiative and hope it assists Barbadian parents in making healthy choices for their children during school hours.”

This marks the B-COP Coalition’s second hamper drive, with the first taking place in 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic, targeting Barbadians with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) who were more susceptible to the virus.

Several partners and sponsors made this initiative possible, including Signia Globe, Supreme Distributors, Guardian General, and the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Rendevous, where the hamper packing took place.

Marketing Officer of Signia Globe Richelle Lucas, commented: “We got a request and it was absolutely a no brainer for us to join with the Coalition. We know people think it is expensive to eat healthily, so we want to thank the Coalition for using these excellent examples of fruit and water. We are not saying that there are no snacks, yes there is a snack in the hampers but moderation is the key. Additionally, being able to work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and get our children active and getting them active from young, so it sticks with them is important.” We are very happy to partner along with the Coalition and the other sponsors who have jumped on board for this worthy cause.

Meanwhile, Rhiyad Juman of Supreme Distributors said his firm was happy to give back to the community “by providing our 100 per cent natural Juices, our Fan juices and our Crystal Waters in order to provide for those children who may not know about the healthy options in Barbados. We are happy to help those who need the help” .

Expressing gratitude to the sponsors and partners for the initiative, Dr Lewis said: “We encourage corporate Barbados and other service groups to join us in supporting less fortunate children and fellow Barbadians as we collectively work towards a healthier way of life,’ she said. (PR)

The post Back to School: Nutritious snacks on a budget appeared first on Barbados Today.

By Anesta Henry

Style met substance on Friday, as young males and the young at heart descended on the corner of Villa Road and Warner’s Road, Brittons Hill, for a fresh haircut and a healthy perspective on life. 

Amid the celebration of style and camaraderie, there was a poignant reminder of the ongoing prevalence of HIV/AIDS in society.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey, took centre stage at the annual “Man Aware (Free Haircuts)” event. With his own close-cropped coiffure setting the tone, made an impassioned appeal to citizens to embrace safe sexual practices as a way of life. As he stood at a popular community junction, his message echoed: “HIV is still very real. It is still very prevalent.”

The event attracted children to get a fresh trim for back to school. But beyond the cool haircuts, it was a chance to interact with professionals who shared age-appropriate information about HIV/AIDS. It was a unique opportunity for the younger generation to learn about responsible living in a fun and engaging way.

While the Ministry of Health and Wellness is yet to reveal the latest statistics on Barbados’ HIV/AIDS prevalence, Humphrey said the Ministry of People Empowerment was playing its role as it relates to educating Barbadians about the importance of engaging in healthy sexual practices.

He said: “The numbers we have are from 2020. But I do think that regardless of the numbers, the truth is that it is clear to me that we have to be able to engage in sexual practices that are healthy.

“I think that a lot of people think that HIV is no longer there, and a lot of people are behaving as if HIV is no longer real. In many cases, because of the medication that you now have, it has gone from being a life-depriving illness to almost a chronic illness; it is still very prevalent.”

Encouraging Barbadians to get tested to know their HIV/AIDS status,  Humphrey suggested that a person who knows they have a clean bill of health would refrain from engaging in unhealthy sexual practices.

People who have tested positive for HIV/AIDS would be aware that they must make the move to access medication, he added.

The Man Aware event went beyond haircuts by offering health check-ups, including blood pressure and sugar level assessments, in partnership with the Livewell Clinic. Humphrey highlighted the significance of these tests, emphasising that early detection can prevent life-altering non-communicable diseases.

“We are also working with the Livewell Clinic to be able to do health checks so that people can get their blood pressure checks and their sugar level checks to see if they are pre-diabetic or diabetic. This health check is one of the things that I think is going to be very important for the ministry.

“I think it is very important because a number of Barbadians are dealing with non-communicable issues, some of them becoming life-depriving in circumstances where they could be avoided if we get early testing and if we continue to do the things we are supposed to do, like eat right and make healthy choices. So, I want to thank the HIV/AIDS Commission for this work. I want to thank them for their constant advocacy, but I also feel like the time has come for Barbadians to recognise that the health choices we make in terms of what we eat also have consequences.”

The “Man Aware (Free Haircuts)” event, a blend of fashion and substance, continues to make its mark – one stylish haircut at a time – on Saturday at the Child Care Board, Cheapside, The City. 

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb

The post Man Aware gives youth vital info on sex and health appeared first on Barbados Today.

Again, the Hugo Mendoza pediatric hospital had an admission of 92 children under 15 years of age, and the Robert Reid Cabral hospital had 65 admitted. This is happening while the flow through the emergencies is being maintained.

Dr. Yocasta Lara, director of the National Health Service hospital network, offered the information. She assures that most of the provinces are without admissions. As the authorities call it, the epidemic is concentrated in Greater Santo Domingo, the National District, La Vega, Santiago, and Barahona.

The Marcelino Velez hospital yesterday had 17 patients admitted for dengue fever, the Jacinto Mañon, 07,5, and the Arturo Grullon hospital in Santiago had 18 patients admitted.

Situation
More than 7,000 cases of the disease have been registered in the country, but a high underreporting suggests a higher number of people affected. Authorities are investigating ten deaths due to dengue, and six have been confirmed. The population is urged to avoid mosquito breeding sites.

The disease
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The mosquito lays its eggs, which develop into larvae and reproduce. Entomologists study its behavior.

This is an epidemic year, so authorities have called the population to avoid mosquito breeding sites. They are asking people to clean gardens and areas with trees.

This week, Dr. Eladio Perez, Vice Minister of Collective Health, said that the indicators in the country remain well below those of other countries in the Americas region, thanks to the interventions being carried out.

He also presented the behavior of dengue to the 35th Epidemiological Week, where he detailed that currently, 3,123 cases were reported as suspected, and in the last week, they reported 1,093 six deaths.