Thursday, September 22, 2011

Staggering Initial Findings

In a preliminary review of the data we collected in Montserrat, it is apparent that the prevalence of Hypertension and Diabetes in Montserrat is higher than the general prevalence that is usual in the Caribbean islands, and  is notably higher than in urban areas of the United States or in African Americans. This is especially interesting since smoking is very low to non-existent on the island, there is increased physical activity ( there is a lot of uphill walking) and lower obesity prevalence.

Is this due to Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome from the volcano or increase in inflammatory processes which are contributing to these higher percentages compared with neighboring islands and the United States? Please follow the blog for further information.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Thanks and appreciation from Mount Sinai Heart Cardiovascular Disparities Center

As we came to the end of the first "Blood Pressure without Borders" medical mission in Montserrat, I realized that it was actually a beginning, we have really just skirted the tip of the iceberg. The initial invitation from the Minister of Health, Colin Riley, was simply to come to island to provide cardiac care to patients who had no access to such care without leaving the island. Knowng the impact that the ASH community outreach committee has had in the New York neighborhoods, I knew that a collaborative effort would be phenomenal and it indeed it was.

As Director of the Mount Sinai Cardiovascular Disparties Center, I would like to thank the president of ASH, Dr George L. Bakris for his vision, the Chair of the ASH Community Outreach Comittee, Dr. Keith C. Ferdinand for his leadership, Gilda Caputo Hansen for her tireless energy and organizational skills and the entire committee for their support. I would also like to thank Nancy Thomas - coordinator for Mount Sinai Heart CDC for her hard work and committment, our community partners the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) for their contributions. I would like to thank the leadership at Mount Sinai Heart and Medical Center (Dr. Valentin Fuster, Dr. Samin Sharma and Dr. Jagat Narula) for believing in me. Last but certainly not least, I would like thank all the people of Montserrat especially the Chief Minister Reuben Meade, Deputy Governor Sarita Weekes, Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael Owen, Minister of Health Colin Riley and former Ambassador to the United States Laurine Fenton, for their wonderful reception of the team, for their optimism and appreciation.

This is just the beginning, we hope to be back next year for another epic event, this time we hope to include a community based eduational program. Looking forward to everyone's feed back and comments.


The volcano with the destroyed town "Plymouth"

L-R Dep Gov Sarita Weekes, Robert Rowe, Dorothea Hazel, Chief MInister Reuben Meade, Dr. Fergus, Laurine Fenton, CMO Dr. Michael Owens

Gilda and Dr Fergus at the farewell celebration
                                                              Happy Labor Day to all!
                                                              Dr. Icilma Fergus Rowe

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Some Pictures of the Health Screening

The ASH table of give-away goodies!!

Dr. Fergus-Rowe thanking Dorothea Hazel for her work on the project.
Gilda and Nancy presenting the President of the
 Montserrat Diabetes Association
with a Blood Pressure Monitor

Colin Riley, Minister of Health giving remarks at
Opening Ceremony of Health Screening

The infamous Bull charging the "girls"

Friday, September 2, 2011

Heading Home

I can't believe the week is over. I am sitting in the Antigua airport where I will wait about four hours until I continue my journey home.  It's funny how dramatically things can change in a week.  Last Saturday when I arrived, the task at hand seemed so insurmountable and overwhelming.  I was walking into a new country and culture and frankly, it was a little scary.  Six days later, as I leave this beautiful and tragic island, I run into so many people who have opened their arms so widely to embrace us and the message we bring to the island.  I am touched how we have been welcomed into their homes and their hearts.  They are so gracious with their hospitality.  While they don't have much, they are willing to share it as they are so thankful for the time we have spent on the island trying to help them.

I thought it might be fun to provide the reader with our top ten observations of our stay on Montserrat:

Top Ten Observations
1. Not many (if any) people smoke cigarettes on Montserrat - in fact, they scowl when you ask them if they do smoke (a question on the demographic piece of the screening.)
2. A significant number of people reported that they were diabetic.
3.  It seemed nearly impossible to find a diet beverage anywhere.
4.  A large can of mosquito repellent will go a long way to providing comfort.
5.  Horn Honking is a greeting - not some way to communicate that you aren't pleased with a fellow-driver's capabilities
6.   When you go to a restaurant, you are not given bread and butter.
7.   It is possible to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road from how you were originally taught.
8.   It is amazing how lost you can get, even when there is only one main road.
9.  Contrary to popular belief, you don't need air conditioning to survive the heat - a good ceiling fan will due.
10.  It is true that the water on Montserrat is one of the best tasting waters in the world!!!

So now we head back and will review the results.  We hope to report back soon on the findings soon.

Gilda Caputo-Hansen



Health Screening - Huge Success!!!! Screened 145 People!!!

Yesterday at the Montserrat Island Health Fair, the American Society of Hypertension, with the help of local Island nurses, screened 145 people for blood pressure.  At 10 AM, the opening ceremony included comments from the Minister of Health, Colin Riley, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Owen, and Dr. Icilma Fergus-Rowe, head of the Disparities Center out of Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City.

Following the ceremony, the health screening, that ran from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM,  provided a host of information for the local residents including chronic disease screening, breast cancer exams, prostate cancer exams,  information of different types of fire fighting; resuscitation; and general nutrition, health and exercise.
We even had people show up who we screened on Monday and Tuesday to be retested!

Local residents came out in droves on this beautifully hot summer day.  Radio Montserrat provided island music and held interviews for the radio broadcast from the health fair all day.

ASH gave out home blood pressure monitors, the Blood Pressure and Your Health brochures, ASH designed mouse pads; and ASH Hypertension Community Outreach T-Shirts.  Those people who received monitors were trained on how to use them.

As I drove around the island today to do more screening and to work at the hospital with Dr. Fergus, each place I stopped, I had people come up to me again to thank me for talking to them at the health screening.  I am touched by how appreciative the islanders are for this health mission.

I am sad to say that today was my last day on the island as I head home to NY tomorrow morning.  It is exciting to note that we have data on nearly 200  people from the island and that number may indeed grow as Dr. Fergus will see patients all day tomorrow.  This has been an amazing experience - and we have met so many people who have touched our lives.

Good bye for now- Montserrat!!Hope to be back soon!