Hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa: a Massive and Increasing Health Disaster Awaiting Solution

Increased blood pressure is the leading risk for death globally. While this is also true in sub-Saharan Africa; there are many hypertension issues that are unique to the region. A prime and important example is that in most countries in the region; population blood pressure is increasing; while in most countries in the rest of the globe; population blood pressure is decreasing

Lead pollution and amelioration measures in the community of Frazers Content, St Catherine, Jamaica

Lead poisoning, especially in children, is a preventable disease. Many children are exposed to this hazard, especially in poor communities, because of a paucity of information on lead poisoning and increasing economic hardships. In 1994, the case of the poor suburban community of Frazers Content, St Catherine, Jamaica, came to the public attention because of the high frequency of hospital admissions, or outpatient treatment, of children for lead poisoning. This paper reviews a Blue Cross of Jamaica-led-initiative aimed at the clean up and education of the Frazers Content community. The following four-pronged approach was employed: environmental and biological sampling and sample analysis, health education, decontamination and community clean up and entrepreneurial activities. The project outputs included: training of 17 community wardens and 22 schoolteachers; the clean up of 64 residences which had lead levels in excess of 500 ppm; the establishment of an entombment site for the contaminated soil in accordance with the Jamaica Natural Resources Conservation Authority and training of residents in entrepreneurial skills, chicken and rabbit rearing and nursery establishment. The paper includes discussion of the lessons learnt and recommendations for future action.