KINGSTON, Jamaica — With the goal of preventing an upsurge of non-communicable diseases among the visually impaired and blind people, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has prepared a physical activity guide in Braille.

The document focuses on the messages and activities being promoted by Jamaica Moves and other health-based campaigns.

The book was launched today at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston and copies handed over to representatives from various special needs groups, such as the Combined Disabilities Association, the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, the Jamaica Society for the Blind, and the Salvation Army for the Blind.

Director, Non-Communicable Diseases and Injuries Unit in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Tamu Davidson, who read a speech on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Dunstan Bryan, said the ministry decided to create this document in Braille, because of the need to promote population-wide physical activities.

 “Today is another historic day, as for the first time, we will unveil a Physical Activity Guide in Braille for members of the visually impaired community, who can utilise the Guide to advance a happier and more productive life,” Bryan said.

The permanent secretary noted that the ministry wants to make the people who are visually impaired and blind a part of the activities of the ministry, as although some of them are unable to see and others are visually impaired, they need to be physically active to live longer and reduce their risk of developing non-communicable diseases. 

 “In 2010, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. In Jamaica, physical inactivity accounts for 12 per cent of all-cause mortality, contributing to 13 per cent of breast cancer, 14 per cent of colon cancer, eight per cent of coronary heart disease and 10 per cent of Type 2 diabetes. These exposures lead to elevated blood pressures, elevated blood sugars, overweight and obesity and by extension, this leads to non-communicable diseases,” she said.

 Bryan also noted that the Guide launch comes a week after the Ministry launched the first ever Physical Activity Bible, a resource that church leaders can use to support the health and wellness of their congregation. 

Meanwhile, Executive Director, Combined Disabilities Association, Gloria Goffe, expressed gratitude on behalf of all the organisations that received the document.

 “The Combined Disabilities Association congratulates the Ministry of Health [and Wellness] for yet another tangible demonstration of their firm belief in the promotion of a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system,” she said.