Foundation promotes diabetes education
Experts have been telling us for years that diabetes is on the rise in Belize, but statistics show that in addition to the very young and very old, it is teenagers and young adults who are increasingly at risk. The reason is believed to be unhealthy lifestyles coupled with an acute ignorance of how damaging this disease can be. For the last two days, medical personnel from across the country have gathered to discuss proper care and management of diabetes and high blood pressure. The conference was organized through the John W. Young Jr. Medical Foundation, based in Los Angeles. Coordinator Princess Olivia Young says one of the last wishes of her thirty-six year old son, who died in 1997, was that more Belizeans would become aware of the devastating effects of diabetes.
Princess Olivia Young, John W. Young Jr. Medical Foundation
?The little time that I could have spent with him, I said, John, Junie, are you taking care? Are you making sure? And he?d say, Mom it?s alright, don?t worry. And I think that?s where he faltered, because he thought mom is bothering me too much, instead of really listening. So I want to say to children or family members, listen to someone who is telling you to take care. Look, take some time for yourself, to make sure you are taking care of whatever situation is happening, the diabetes. It can be controlled, but if you don?t really take care of it, that?s where the problem comes in.?
Dr. Elsworth Grant, Internist/Haematologist /Oncologist
?The sweet tooth is the number one problem with people, it?s very much to avoid the things we like such as cake, ice cream, soda, and all those things are really helpful in the management of diabetes and probably one of the most important things you can do for yourself, avoid the sweet calories.?
?Watch the sweet calories. I don?t mean you have to cut everything out. I can?t do that. But cut down some. Try walking a little more, little bit more exercise and it?s two of the easiest of things; maybe not easiest for most people but the most effective things to do is walk a little bit more, do some exercise.?
?Prevention isn?t sexy. Prevention is very easy. We don?t spend a whole of money preventing things, but in terms of return for health care dollar, it?s the most effective return that you ever have.?
This is the second seminar organized by the foundation in Belize. The general public is invited to participate in a public lecture entitled “Keeping Kidneys Healthy Through Effective Diabetes Management” to be presented by Dr. Eric Walsh at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall at 7:30 Thursday night. The lecture is free.
