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Turning now to public health...

Recent data released by the Ministry of Health and Wellness shows Diabetes and Hypertension are among the most pressing health concerns. We looked at the data today and here's what Jomarie Lanza saw:

In an infographic released by the ministry of health and Wellness, they recorded a total of 1,921 new mental health patients in 2023, and three out of every five were women.

Interestingly, the number of new mental health patients steadily declined between 2019 and 2022.

Cayo had the highest number of new cases in 2023, a total of 580, and Toledo the lowest with 136.

The most common Newly Diagnosed Mental health disorder was anxiety, with a total of 712 cases, and depression at a total of 320.

The age range with the greatest number of diagnoses in 2023 were those between the ages of 20 and 39.

In addition to the Mental Health statistics, the ministry also released its data for Diabetes and Hypertension.

A total of 1189 new cases were diagnosed in 2023, 57% of them being among females, among adults between the ages of 40-59. Diabetes remains as the 4th leading cause of death in Belize with 152 new deaths in 2023.

A total of 1675 new patients were diagnosed with hypertension in 2023, 62% of them being among females. The highest number of cases recorded are 745 between the ages of 20-39. Hypertension remains as the 10th leading cause of death in Belize with a total of 71 new deaths since 2023.