Summary:
This strategic and action plan aims to "provide a framework and road map for national action to combat non-communicable diseases and injuries and their risk factors in Jamaica within the context of the socioeconomic, cultural and development agenda".
Description:
This plan covers seven main categories of diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, sickle cell disease, mental health, and injuries). In this regard, it has six specific objectives. Among them, the main ones considering FULL purposes are those addressing prevention such as:
- the reduction of the exposure to modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases,
- the promotion of health throughout the lifecycle. For this purpose, it considers the creation of health-promoting environments (Objective 1).
Moreover, the strategic and action plan recognizes that addressing unhealthy diet as a risk factor requires various actions. In this sense, the document provides the following suggestions:
- reducing the amount of salt,
- saturated fat and sugars in processed foods,
- eliminating industrially produced trans fats in foods,
- controlling advertisements of unhealthy food to children,
- promoting fruit and vegetable intake,
- offering healthy food in schools and other public institutions.
Furthermore, it recognizes the importance of social support programs as well as economic interventions. These actions drive food consumption, as taxes and subsidies addressing food security issues.
The strategic and action plan is currently being reviewed and updated by the Ministry with responsibility for health in Jamaica.