Forty years: an introduction to the development of a Caribbean public health

The development of public health and primary care in Jamaica is examined with particular reference to the historical events which paved the way for their development: notably, the collaborative work undertaken by the Rockefeller Foundation (Commissions on hookworm, tuberculosis, malaria, yams); recommendations of the Moyne Commission (leading to the establishment of the West Indies School of Public Health); and the Irvine Commission which recommended the establishment of the University College of the West Indies. A confluence of political, social and international activity in the 1970s proved catalytic in the development of the current ethos of primary health care, and the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine was instrumental in the training of the most innovative addition to the primary care health team, the community health aide. Undergraduate and postgraduate training programmes of the Department are highlighted as it celebrates its fortieth anniversary.(AU)

Delayed permanent tooth emergence in chronically malnourished children - abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric indicators of malnutrition and tooth eruption status of 6-year-old children. The 100 subjects from the Kingston area were placed into groups, as per Waterlow's classification of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), according to height-for-age (H/A) and weight-for-height (W/H) and number of emerged teeth noted (table included). Statistical analysis (ANOVA - Duncan's test) indicates a significant decrease (p<0.01) in the number of erupted permanent teeth emerged in the Stunted and the Stunted Wasted (p<0.05) as compared to the Normal children (AU)

Future leadership in public health in the Commonwealth Caribbean, including the role of the University of the West Indies

Advances in public health in Commonwealth Caribbean over the past four decades have been well marked by the decline in communicable diseases which were among the leading causes of death. Among the advances must be included the eradication of malaria from several Commonwealth Caribbean countries. Inspite of the progress made, there are still embarrassing occasions when certain preventable diseases reach epidemic proportions. Many of the advances made were possible through dynamic leadership. There is a shortage of qualified management personnel in all branches of the health services, and this results very often in the lack of implementation of various programmes and the misuse of limited resources. To maintain and continue reasonable standards of public health, training of health personnel for future leadership is of paramount importance. The role of the University of the West Indies must of necessity be as a centre of learning and research as well as an important agent for change and development at the national and regional levels. In the final analysis, it is people who will count. Whatever successes or failures we may have will depend on people at both the provider and the consumer levels. Therefore, leaders must be committed to the overall goals of the health service and there should be an enthusiasm and excitement about aiming at, and striving for, excellence in the execution of programmes (AU)

Training primary health care workers for the Caribbean

In a programme inaugurated in Jamaica, community health aides have been trained to act as primary health workers. They form an important link between health departments and the communities they serve. The idea, which has spread to other Caribbean countries, is helping to solve the problem of manpower to meet health service needs.(AU)