I sometimes veer from the beaten path in writing these messages but desire to keep my attention focused on the realities around us. The question to you this month is, what do you think is the greatest cause of death in Jamaica?
In our Bible study on Wednesday, we learned that many persons had losses in their families through death. Cancer was implicated several times. You may be thinking that the answer is cancer, but it is not. The latest statistics (2019)* from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Jamaica, show that the main causes for women and men are;
| Cause | Women | Men |
| Interpersonal Violence | 21.3 | 79.8 |
| Stroke | 87.7 | 76 |
| Diabetes Mellitus | 83.3 | 56.9 |
| Ischaemic Heart Disease | 55.8 | 61.3 |
*Please note that the figures do not include the COVID period as these are not yet available, but you would find projections made by the WHO; The figures are per 100,000 of the population.
Please note that the leading cause of death for women is stroke and for men, it is interpersonal conflict. The longer list shows cancers coming below these causes, which are mainly described as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) except for IPV.
When I read these stats, I was really surprised and shocked that so many of our men, die from violence in our country. This reality must be seen, not only as data to alarm us, or information leading to indifference but statistics that can inform our strategic approach for reaching men in our country, beginning in our family and community. It seems to me that if we could prevent one more male from using violence to settle a dispute, we would over time reduce the statistics and the number of fatherless children plus the mothers who are left to raise these children on their own. Not to mention the reduction in the trauma and grief that would be removed from the lives of several family members.
I would like to suggest some strategic ministry responses that we can make as a church, to our men if the main cause of death is behavioural and not medical.
Education in anger and conflict management skills.
The Bible tells us that, “Everyone should be quick to listen and slow to anger...Jas 1:19; and “the heart of man is deceitful .... and desperately wicked...” (Jer. 17:9), and that the heart needs changing. Our strategy would be to bring together the men in our community and show them how managing their anger towards one another, could make a difference in the way they relate to others in the community. It would also help them to manage their anger and identify other approaches to settle conflicts instead of violence of any kind. It could extend their lives and make them more accessible to their families. As the saying goes, “Control your anger, it's one letter away from danger”.
Education in parenting and protecting their children from male sexual predators.
“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection”. Sigmund Freud.
Mrs. Diahann Gordon Harris, the children’s advocate recently expressed deep concern about the growing number of girls who have been raped by men who also are having sex with under sixteen-year-old girls. We may not be able to change the attitude of all the men in our community, but couldn’t the church begin to make a difference in the minds of men on how they see and relate to little girls? Seeing them as children to be protected rather than objects to be preyed on.
Education to offer greater support for the mothers of their children.
“Any man can help make a child but it takes a special man to help raise a child”.
Many of our men unfortunately do not treat women with the respect that they deserve. Most mothers need domestic support and financial support for their children. In addition, they need the assurance that their children are protected are allowed to develop their potential, and are not abused by men, sometimes the very men they live with who may not be the biological fathers of their children. These skills can be taught, and some men have never been educated along these lines. Wouldn’t it be great if the church could intervene to make a difference? “The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern.” Max Lucado Could this be an opportunity for the church to make concrete the command, to love our neighbour as we love ourselves?
Your Pastor.