BARBADIANS HAVE been urged to take a closer look at their lifestyle, attitudes
and habits if the country is to overcome its health problems.

Addressing a health seminar and exhibition presented by the Lions Club of
Christ Church West last weekend, Minister of Health Cyril Walker said that if

Barbados is to be successful, healthy living is the issue which has to
addressed at the individual level.

"For example, my ministry is now involved in a community-based project for the
control of the Aedes aegypti, the mosquito which transmits dengue. It has been
found that the continuous use of chemicals is expensive and is proving
ineffective.

"The current view is that success is more likely with the active participation
of the community and the individual household," he said.

He said that during 1991, 424 deaths resulted from cancer while there were 417
deaths due to heart disease.

Chronic diseases were also among the leading causes for hospitalisation.
Disease of the circulatory system, cancer and diabetes mellitus ranked second,
third and fourth respectively.

He said that in addition to these diseases, substance abuse, both of alcohol
and drugs, was of serious concern.

Walker also noted that the issue was a challenging one since the
socio-economic costs were high, especially as younger people were succumbing
to these conditions. He added that such diseases prevented the young from
functioning at their maximum during their most productive years.

The minister said non-governmental organisations such as the Lions Club could
assist in seeking to build healthy communities "in which individuals take
responsibility for their health and for promoting healthy lifestyles".