The spice Island

Well my week in Grenada seemed to go past in a flash!
The Caribbean studies association (CSA) conference provided an ideal forum for meeting with scholars, researchers and others in the Caribbean and Diaspora who work around health, wellbeing, policy and social capital.

During the week I learned a great deal about the vibrancy, pride and history of the Caribbean. The diversity of the Islands and the unity of experience shared by this proud people. in relation to my project I met with those trying to find ways to challenge the poor prognosis around chronic conditions and non-communicable diseases. I met with Professor Eudine Barriteau who gave me great insight into the challenges of gender, health and lifechances in the Caribbean. The greatest benefit of the week was actually learning from other attendees about the challenges to health of men from the Caribbean worldwide. Prostate cancer was a shared experience of concern however, this was also closely followed by other chronic diseases, nes which remain treatable but are challenged by late presentation and poor treatment adherence. possibly the most insightful meeting was with a local woman 'Teresa' who had a small food shack close to the hotel. she spoke of he pride of her people and the battles to manage health and self alongside the pressures of a fast changing world.

On Friday I was invited to meet with Dr Francis Martin at the Ministry of health. Dr Francis discussed with me the poor health of males in Grenada and said how community and primary care has always been a cinderella service in Grenada. Next week will see the launch of the primary care strategy, I was able to share with him some data around prostate risk in the Caribbean and more generally the way in which life expectancy diverged across gender lines from birth, across the lifespan. I agreed to send him a briefing paper on some of the issues we had discussed - He invited me to work with him in future to look at some of the challenges that this new strategy will bring - very exciting!

As I left the 'Spice Island' I have a lasting impression of the 'flame tree' in full bloom. To me is reflects and represents the vibrancy of Grenada and its people.