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NHF Chief Executive Officer Everton Anderson and Professor Trevor Ferguson
The Ministry of Health has launched a salt consumption study to further investigate and create awareness about the impact of lifestyle diseases on the population.
The ministry says about one in every 10 Jamaicans used extra salt in their diet and this can lead to serious health complications.
The study aims to have Jamaicans reduce their intake to less than five grams per adult as recommended by the World Health Organization.
It will be funded by the National Health Fund (NHF) at a cost $13.4 million.
Speaking at the launch of the study on Tuesday, NHF Chief Executive Officer Everton Anderson said the Fund paid out almost $1.5 billion last year to treat hypertension.
"So it's very important that we continue the work and the partnership to support a future where we will actually be a lot healthier and we'll be spending less on subsidising medication," he asserted.
Professor Trevor Ferguson, who will lead the study, explained that it will "evaluate the salt content in commonly consumed packaged foods sold in supermarkets."
"We also want to evaluate the sodium content in commonly consumed foods in local restaurants, then we will conduct a national survey to get information on knowledge, attitude and practices regarding salt intake in Jamaica and obtain updated estimates on current salt intake levels," he added.
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