There is an 80% Chance of Dying From NCDs; If Yuh Trini

The World Health Organization Has The Facts 

 “Trinis Too Fat and Lazy”  the title of a Trinidad Express article on January, 2nd 2018.  

The article went on to describe how the International Development Bank did a study of the Americas. T&T along with a number of other countries scored drastically low in the area of physical activity. 

The IDB report did not say we were lazy and fat but it did say that obesity and diabetes is very high. .  

Eight out of the ten people in Trinidad and Tobago will die as a result of a non-communicable disease. 

Pareto’s 80/20 rule again, in this case, according to the WHO there is an 80 percent chance of T&T citizens will die from a Non Communicable Diseases or an illness caused by a non-communicable disease.  

If you don't know, a non-communicable disease cannot be transferred from one person to another, not like the AIDs virus..  In other words, these are self-inflicted illnesses; they include illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, cancers, and diabetes. 

The good news is that there is only four risk factors that call all these diseases. 

Your goal should be to reduce at least one out of four risk factors: tobacco or alcohol use, exercising and watching what you eat or your diet.  More importantly, I want you to share your knowledge with your family and friends. .

That’s the good news, the NCD epidemic can be reduced.  All we have to do is modify the way we live, what we consume and what we do for physical activity.  Not all of us are fat and lazy. These are lifestyle diseases, modifiable by the way we choose to live. 

It is important not only because of the pain, suffering sufferers endured but because of the financial burden it places on the Health sector.  

According to the current health minister, in an article published in the Express in 2017 an Inter American Bank survey said it is costing Trinidad and Tobago 8 billion dollars a year.  

Take a look at the last line of text above.  "20 percent reduction in cancer mortality can reduce productivity losses by about TT$380".

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In 2007, the heads of government of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held a summit in Port of Spain on NCD prevention and control.  They made a Declaration in Port of Spain.

“TO UNITE TO STOP THE EPIDEMIC OF NCDS IN THE CARIBBEAN”  

The study was done over a 10 year time span, from 2007 to 2017 with intermittent progress reports. In 2014, the World Health Organization published a report that states “NCDs is estimated to account for over 80% of deaths in Trinidad and Tobago”.  

As part of this report we have a list of questions.  These responses were made by a representative of the T&T Ministry of Health.  At first glance it looks like we are in full compliance with only one “NO” to the questions.  

Lets focus on the question on tobacco because I have done online research and have some empirical knowledge with respect to tobacco use in T&T.  The question: 

Does T&T have an operational strategy to reduce the burden of tobacco use?

The answer can be answered with a yes but the real answer, at that time, should have been NO. 

Here is why...

The records show that the Government did pass the Tobacco Act in 2009 and added amendments in 2013.  The answer is yes if an Act is an operational strategy.  It is not. The Tobacco Act changed nothing for local tobacco companies that blatantly ignore the provisions to reduce smoking.  In fact, the companies have initiated counter measures.

For example, one provision states that graphic pictures of illnesses associated with smoking be placed on cigarette packs.  Here are a few of the pictures that should be on cases, cartoons and packs of cigarette. 

These pictures should make any smokers think twice about smoking. This was never done.  

Another provision states that individual cigarettes should be sold in wrappers with bold labels that states “Cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health”.  

This too; has not been done.  Then in 2016 when the budget added a sin tax on tobacco, the companies reacted by introducing less expensive cigarette to the market, thereby nullifying the affects of the tax.  

If the act is an operational strategy it is certainly not working.

In the meanwhile, the government actually produced a plan to address NCDs in Trinidad and Tobago.  

Get your copy here

The latest report on NCDs published in 2016 recommended what was described as primary response issues. In concluding this report I share two that was mentioned “higher political priority”, and “the lowest levels of implementation concern diet, schools and communications”. 

If we believe that 80 percent of us will die from a non-communicable disease, if not yourself, it can be someone you love dearly; your parents, children, family and friends it behooves you to act.

From the government responses in this report, the only thing you can do is look out for yourself and your immediate family.  

Wean your children off sugar, reduce the amount you eat, avoid processed foods, stop smoking, be careful of what you eat.  Get regular exercise, meditate, and relax. Above all, don’t worry about what the government is doing or not doing, focus on what you can do for yourself and your family.    

Look, this is your life, you can choose to live it in whatever way you want.  Non-communicable diseases are preventable, it really depends on your lifestyle.  Live a good clean life, we all have to die but personally I would rather a swift death than to become a burden to my family.  

That’s my choice. What’s yours?