MARIGOT--President of the Health Observatory, Dr. Louis Jeffry, has agreed to expand the Health Observatory’s study of the health of the population to the schools of the French side to gain an understanding of the general health of students.
The initiative resulted in the signing of a convention on Thursday between Jeffry and Recteur of Guadeloupe Academy, Camille Galap.
The approximately 1-million-euro Health Observatory study was partly financed by the European Union and the Dutch side, and involved interviewing segments of the population on both sides of the island. It is expected the same template, techniques and interviews will be used for the schools with some modifications.
The study will be complementary to projects already implemented by Agence Regional de la Santé (ARS) and National Education, Jeffry noted.
The initiative has been enthusiastically welcomed by Galap and Chef du Service for Education in St. Martin and St. Barths, Michel Sanz.
Galap called the initiative a “laboratory on the health of St. Martin students” adding that the pilot study can be used in Guadeloupe for the schools there.
Sanz noted one of the problems he quickly realised when he took office was that many children do not take advantage of a balanced meal at midday in the school cafeterias, and prefer to go to roadside trucks.
“These are issues to be addressed on both educational and human levels,” said Sanz. “Children that are malnourished, do not sleep well, or are bullied, this is not conducive to optimal learning.”
Jeffry agreed: “Obesity, addictions, memory problems, these are all health issues that impact performance in school,” he said. “From five years old to 18 we want to be able to provide help and assistance for those who are lacking the information, especially the parents.
“We want to look at the link between the level of study and results, and the level of health. Are you eating properly, are you getting enough sleep, are you getting exercise, what is your home environment like? These are all questions we will be asking.”
Jeffry added although the convention has been signed for three years, he expects the study to be completed in three or four months when it starts in January or February 2017. The preparatory phase will take four to six months. Results will be anticipated around September 2017.
