THE Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting that just over a 25 per cent of Jamaicans are living with at least one non-communicable disease (NCD).

The figure is reported in the 2024 Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ) released recently by the PIOJ.

According to the ESSJ, the three most reported NCDs in Jamaica in 2024 were hypertension (15.0 per cent); asthma (7.6 per cent); and diabetes (5.9 per cent).

“Co-morbidity [having more than one NCD] was reported in 9.2 per cent of individuals and was most prevalent among the elderly — 38.9 per cent,” the survey found.

An NCD is a long-term health condition that may require ongoing medical attention or management. These conditions are often characterised by persistent effects and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

NCDs significantly strain Jamaica’s economy and households. From 2015 to 2030, they are projected to cost the country US$18.45 billion — about US$6,306 per capita.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton has repeatedly pointed to the problems the country faces with NCDs which, in many cases, are brought on by lifestyle choices.

According to Tufton, his ministry is working collaboratively with community and private sector stakeholders through its flagship ‘Know Your Numbers’ programme to make inroads with the health screening of Jamaicans.

“As at the end of April this year — under the Know Your Numbers programme — 289,430 tests have been conducted and approximately 72,357 persons have been screened,” Tufton told Parliament during his contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate on June 10.

Of the number of tests conducted, 103,817 were for blood pressure; 82,682 for blood glucose; 35,178 for cholesterol, and 67,573 for body mass index.

“It is instructive to note that from the 289,430 tests conducted, 105,228 or 36 per cent reported abnormal test results,” said Tufton.

Know Your Numbers is a national initiative aimed at empowering Jamaicans to take control of their health by monitoring key risk factors for NCDs and to do the necessary health checks, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body mass index in order to get and remain in the know about their health.

The initiative was first announced by Tufton during his sectoral presentation in May 2023.

According to Tufton, this year the health ministry will continue screenings islandwide, as part of its primary health-care reform, which champions routine screening and delivery of health education messages, according to the life stage, at every doctor’s visit.

“This way we integrate Know Your Numbers into the health centre, thereby enabling the increase in the health literacy of the population for better decision-making. The Government has prioritised screening and will continue to expand under our new life stage approach,” Tufton said.

In the meantime, the 2024 ESSJ noted that the health status of a population is determined by a combination of health indicators, epidemiological data, and social determinants of health.

“This is a vital tool for nation-building as it directly informs policy decisions and influences resource allocation,” the ESSJ said.

According to the survey, life expectancy at birth in 2024 was estimated at 74.2 years compared with 72.7 years in 2011 and 72.0 years in 2001. It found that the country recorded a crude birth rate of 9.6 per 1,000 of the population, and crude death rate of 7.6 per 1,000 in 2024.

The ESSJ also highlighted that Jamaica’s birth rate remained flat last year.

“Preliminary data from the Registrar General’s Department showed that the total number of live births was 25,900 compared with 29,400 in 2023,” it said.

The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) recorded the largest number of live births, with 11,400. All regions recorded decline relative to 2023. Meanwhile, the total number of deaths was 20,600 compared with 21,900 in 2023.

There were 237 neonatal deaths recorded last year, 75 fewer than the total recorded for 2023. SERHA recorded the largest number — 141.

In 2024, approximately 5.0 per cent of individuals surveyed reported illness/injury during a four-week reference period, with an average duration of 8.8 days. An estimated 76.6 per cent of those who reported illness/injury reported seeking care.

Approximately 52.0 per cent of those who were ill/injured and sought care did so at public health facilities, while 47.6 per cent sought care exclusively at private health facilities.