A recent report from the Centre for Chronic Disease and Research in Barbados has indicated that there are over 30,000 persons suffering from Diabetes and its complications. Based on this data, it is estimated that one person in each household will be hypertensive within the next five years, hence increasing our already high incidence of strokes and heart attacks, also the number of persons suffering from hypertension, heart disease and obesity continues to increase drastically each year.

Any employee affected by these lifestyle diseases will need time off from work for doctor visits, sick leave or hospitalization. This periodic absence from work directly affects the morale, productivity and profits of any organization.

We believe that continuous education and basic checks at intervals is a vital part of the solution. In this regard, there is a definite need for employees to have routine blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, weight and urine tests. This coupled with personalized dietary counseling and appropriate referrals to health care specialists when needed, is a step in the right direction to better health.  Similarly, it is evident that staff would benefit from group lectures on subject areas such as back pain, breast, colon and prostrate cancer, menopause, hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease and the benefits of exercise.