10.16.14 WHO at Yap and betel nut

Thw WHO has a weeklong program on noncommunicable diseases - hypertension, diabetes, tobacco addiction and they have included betel nut for this region. Yap has the world's third highest rate of oral cancer just due to the chewing of betelnut. We did a small survey of the professional attendees and 82% chew and most chew betelnut over 20 times per day. I can see the tension when people discuss it as unhealthy. It is addictive and gives some energy and others feel relaxed. And - to make matters worse, the vast majority mix it with tobacco. And one third also add vodka.

My high horse and soap box arrived yesterday. The "tipping point" was seeing a two year old hospitalized patient sucking on a piece of betelnut. And rest assured, I did tell the Mom that this was no good for a baby and took it out of the child's mouth and threw it in the trash.  I do believe the Mom knew better.

If anything, I am a person of my convictions. I designed the brochure with the help of a couple Public Health Staff and the Chief of Staff and ordered 2000 (yes two thousand) from Staples. My friend Fenney is going to ship them here - soon!

At the WHO meeting there is support from some very vocal people to make the hospital and government offices betelnut free. Let's see where this momentum takes us. I have already received two phone calls from the Peace Corps office wondering if I am tryng to change the culture. No, not change the culture, just provide a public health service and lower the rates of oral cancer. And maybe hypertension and diabetes, also linked to betelnut. There is enough local grass root support, including before I arrived, that they can accomplish this. It will just take longer than the tobacco ban from the hospital as over 80% are addicted to betelnut. Maybe a little push from WHO and some data from me does help.

This was a pulic service announcement.