Mark Scotland Minister of Health

Minister of Health Mark Scotland is urging residents of Cayman to engage in some form of physical activity in a bid to fight diabetes and other lifestyle disease.

Mr Scotland was speaking at a multi-agency event at Camana Bay held to mark World Diabetes Day which was celebrated on 14 November.

The Cayman Islands Diabetes Association (CIDA), the Diabetic Support Group (DSG), the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens and Lions Central, Rotaract Blue, Kiwanis, the Ministry of Health, the Health Services Authority (HSA) and Camana Bay joined forces to raise awareness through “When the Lights Go Blue, Diabetes Awareness is in Focus.”

Noting that diabetes taxes health-care systems, it strains families and can limit life’s enjoyment for sufferers, Mr Scotland encouraged everyone to play their part in helping to create healthier communities.

Mr Scotland pointed out that health researchers paired the explosion of type 2 diabetes cases with the current obesity epidemic. He said previously, type 2 was mainly an adult condition but now, many studies point to it being increasingly prevalent in overweight adolescents and children.

“This is especially worrying for us here in Cayman. Earlier this year, annual health screenings revealed that 22 percent of our school children are obese and another 14.8 percent are overweight,“ Mr Scotland said.

“The HSA estimates that 6% of the adult population in the Cayman Islands is being treated for Type 2 diabetes, and there may be a similar number who are unaware that they even have diabetes,” the health minister indicated.

He noted that while type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, , type 2 diabetes however – which is responsible for approximately 90 percent of all diabetes cases – is avoidable, by maintaining a healthy weight and being active.

“So, with much of the solution within our grasp, it is imperative that we continue to work together to create social and physical environments that will motivate our children and our adults too, to make healthy lifestyle choices. Arming people with more knowledge about diabetes is a key element in addressing this growing problem.”

The health Minister noted that this year’s World Diabetes Day theme “Diabetes Education and Prevention” was fitting and the International Diabetes Federation chose this to reflect the importance of empowerment through education, and to emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

He also noted that this year’s campaign was a call to governments to implement effective strategies and policies to prevent and manage diabetes in order to safeguard the health of citizens with, and at risk of, diabetes.

“As far as our government is concerned, my ministry supports primary and preventative health care initiatives within the Health Services Authority and Public Health Department. We particularly endorse those that will strengthen our early detection abilities,” Mr Scotland said.

“We will continue to work with other ministries, agencies and departments in order to create an environment that assists people to make healthy choices. In this regard, we already have some noteworthy initiatives on the ground, such as the Children’s Health Task Force that is piloting a multi-component program within schools to teach children to make healthy lifestyle choices and maintain healthy weights,” he added.

“I therefore call on every parent to make a commitment to yourself and your family. Start with something as simple as setting your family a goal of at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling or dancing,” the health minister urged.

“The physical benefits – and the bonus rewards that come with spending quality time together – will surely surprise you.”

The free diabetes awareness event, hosted at The Crescent in Camana Bay had health risk screenings for children and adults will take place on site. These will include waist circumference, height, weight, body mass index, blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol checks as well as diabetes risk assessments.

There was a silent auction to raise funds for the Diabetic Support Group and the school poster competition winners will be announced.