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Chronic diseases are now the leading causes of illness and death in Jamaica and most Caribbean countries.
Chronic diseases are now the leading causes of illness and death in Jamaica and most Caribbean countries. Having worked at every level in Jamaica’s health sector, Dr Cunningham-Myrie has witnessed the negative impact of these diseases, not only on individual and overall population health, but also on the nation’s ability to achieve its developmental goals. Drawing on her training and work experience in epidemiology, public health, family medicine and management, she has conducted research that has increased understanding of how social and economic factors are associated with chronic disease outcomes. Two of these studies are highlighted below.
Neighbourhood effects and physical activity, obesity and diabetes
This study was published in an article in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. In the study, Dr Cunningham-Myrie and colleagues from the Epidemiology Research Unit, Tropical Medicine Research Institute, UWI and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, USA, assessed the relationship between aspects of the neighbourhood, diabetes and modifiable risk factors, such as levels of physical activity and overweight/obesity, among 2,848 Jamaicans who had participated in the most recent Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey.
The researchers found that there was significant clustering of low levels
of physical activity, overweight/obesity and diabetes across Jamaican neighbourhoods.
Recognising Outstanding Researchers 2016