Health trends in Jamaica. Significant progress and a vision for the 21st century

Health trends in Jamaica have improved considerably during the past century. Life expectancy at birth increased from 38 years in 1900 to 72 years in 2000. The crude death and infant mortality rates declined significantly from 35.7 and 174.3 deaths to 5.1 and 24.4 deaths, respectively, in the same period. The seven leading causes of death in 1945 were infectious diseases while the main causes of mortality and morbidity are now the chronic non-communicable lifestyle diseases, and injuries. Over the past few decades, considerable progress has been made in controlling vaccine preventable diseases and eliminating poliomyelitis and measles. Rates of infectious syphilis, congenital syphilis and gonorrhoea have declined significantly in recent years although chlamydia and herpes are common and the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a growing concern. Over the past few decades health expenditure has grown more rapidly in the private health sector than in the public health sector although services in the public sector are provided at significantly lower cost. Jamaica provides good health at low cost. However, more funds are needed to support the public health system. The current health reform process needs to be informed by a better understanding of the factors that have contributed to Jamaica's achievements in health and needs a clear health focus. The Ministry of Health has articulated a vision of health for the 21st century that requires a significant reorientation of health staff as well as empowering people to take responsibility for adopting healthy lifestyles.