Turnbull flags rising diabetes cases among men
Second District Representative Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull has raised concern about what he says is a noticeable increase in diabetes cases among men in the British Virgin Islands, particularly young adults, warning that the trend poses serious long-term health risks for the territory.
Turnbull said he has become increasingly sensitised to the issue after observing several recent cases involving men between the ages of 25 and 35.
“When it comes to our young men, we need to start looking more closely at how we are dealing with and managing our health,” Turnbull said. “There continues to be a rising number of cases of diabetes, especially among men, most of whom end up on dialysis.”
He added that within the past few months alone, he is personally aware of at least five young men in that age bracket who are living with diabetes, a situation he described as deeply troubling.
The legislator stressed that while government and community efforts are ongoing, greater personal responsibility and family support are critical in addressing the issue.
“I believe it is in our interest, as a territory, to continue to pay attention through the Ministry of Health,” Turnbull said, pointing to recent initiatives such as health fairs organised by the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme and other community groups.
A wider public health challenge
Diabetes remains one of the most pressing non-communicable diseases in the BVI and across the wider Caribbean. Regional health data consistently show high rates of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, driven by factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and lifestyle changes over time.
In the Virgin Islands, health officials have previously noted that a significant percentage of adults are living with diabetes or are at risk of developing the condition. Complications such as kidney failure, which often requires dialysis, place added strain on individuals, families, and the healthcare system.
Medical experts have also warned that type 2 diabetes is increasingly affecting younger adults, a shift linked to rising obesity rates and sedentary lifestyles. Early diagnosis and proper management are considered key to preventing severe complications later in life.
Turnbull emphasized that the issue extends beyond men alone and should be treated as a national concern.
“As individuals and as families, it is something we must pay attention to,” he said. “Not just diabetes, but our overall health, making sure we are looking after ourselves, not just for males, but for us as a territory.”
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The little fist fight yesterday was more news!
Go into any store a find sugar free drinks. Almost impossible. Pumping kids with sugar since they were toddlers. Chubbies is an appropriate name for the most common drink handed to kids. Ban sugar laced drinks is a start
Gotta say the same when it comes to alcohol, too much drinking of that
All we get is verbal salads from those people never a suggestion, policy or assistive recommendation.
Meanwhile, they are showing the results from their looting with their ultra expensive suits, while the rest cannot even afford a nylon under wear.
Minimum wage, pension relief and senior support is not even on their radar.
Covid-19 took out most of the vulnerable now their deliberate neglect of the people they were sent in to serve are next in line due to their immtaure self-serving and political neglect.
Everyone eating bread and cheese, vienna sausages, hot dogs, fried chicken late night, high sugar snacks/juices, all while not drinking an ounce of water all day. It’s not really that difficult, people just like what they like and wait to late to deal with it. What we all need is the right balance, nothing is wrong with ‘fun’ food/drink now and then but it cannot become our standard. Cheese roll and soda for breakfast, oxtail with rice, mac salad lot’s of gravy for lunch, cheese burger and fries or fried chicken and fries for dinner, washed down with a soda. Add rum/shots to this on a daily basis, what can we expect? Whenever you tell them anything they remind you that it’s their life so……
The healthy foods are very expensive
The parents indulge their children in eating unhealthy foods because more education is needed
Those in charge are no example obesity and being fat is called sexy in the BVI
Being slim means you are marga and malnourished
Education !!
Y’all don’t care to walk!
Y’all like “sit down”, kinds of meals, everywhere you go, even to childrens’ birthday parties!
Eating vegetables for most of you, is a crime!
And in terms of “gut health”, few of you are interested in the proper health, and care, of it!
Sometimes, diseases,are the only way, to cause for introspection!
And
Health is a concern but PAY attention to the criminal young men in the same age group in prison and those dying in the streets of the Virgin Islands from gun violence.