Environmental Issues In Jamaica Essay

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Jamaica, meaning “Land of Wood and Water” is the third largest island with 10,991 square kilometers located in the Caribbean south of Cuba and west of Haiti. It has many rivers and beaches. Mountains are also a major portion of Jamaica’s landscape. The Population of Jamaica is 2.7 million in 2010 (PAHO, 2012). Jamaica’s climate is tropical with temperatures of 72 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit (CON, 2013). Tainos, also referred to as Arawaks are the first people known to settle in Jamaica. Ethnicity of Jamaica is very diverse. Beliefs and customs in Jamaica are also very diverse with the majority of the population coming from many different countries bringing beliefs, and customs with them. The main Language is English. Government in Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy and is considered an upper middle-income country with a population of 2,769 (WHO, 2014). The health system in Jamaica is overseen by the Ministry of Health, a branch of the Jamaican government. Jamaica has made major strides in improving their economic and health in a relatively short period of time since only becoming an independent country in the year 1962.
Environment
Jamaica is known for beautiful scenic beaches, waterways, forests, and mountains. Many of these are facing environmental issues. These environmental issues are deforestation, water pollution, coral reef damage, and air pollution in Jamaica’s capital city of Kingston (CNO, 2013). The main reason for these environmental issues is a result of the rapid growth of the Jamaican population, urbanization, and tourism.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity is very diverse in Jamaica. Jamaica’s motto reflects this ‘Out of Many, One People’ (NLJ, n.d.). This is the result of the population coming from many diff...

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...omote more Jamaicans to purchase health insurance, this would allow for more sustainable finances for present and future plans of the Jamaican Health Care System.
Assessment of plans would be evaluated by the mandated reporting required by health facilities. Surveys would be conducted in schools to see if education of healthy choices and risky behaviors is effective, a survey would be done at start of the program in order to have a baseline. Survey facilities of staff, their qualifications, and services available. Success would be measured by an increase in Jamaicans taking advantage of education and screenings both at health care facilities and health fairs. If there is a decrease in Morbidity and Mortality specifically the top three diseases of Jamaica; cancer, cardiovascular disease, and HIV/AIDS would show the success of the holistic health care plan.

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