EL ABANICOS, Dominican Republic -- The tropical environment here is great for tourists but brings a number of health concerns to the local population that tourists may take for granted.
A high prevalence of health issues is caused by sunlight, insects and high sugar content in foods combined with a lack of education on medical issues.
In an international effort to assist the Dominican Republic, U.S. Air Force medics on a Medical Readiness Training Exercise recently promoted prevention and provided treatment for a large number of patients here. The medical team consisted of a joint U.S. Air Force, Army and Marine team.
"The long term benefit of education far exceeds that of any medication we can give to them," said 1st. Lt. John A. Vann, a physician assistant from the 42nd Medical Group at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
"Medications may help their problems for a couple of weeks, but education and insight will last a lifetime," said 1st. Lt. Vann.
When people describe general symptoms they often don't understand what is causing the affliction. By educating patients on minor changes they can make in their lives, long-term health issues can be addressed reducing dependence on medications.
Prevention of over exposure to intense sun here by using sun-protection was an area where the medics were able to address. The harmful effects of the sun to both the skin and eyes occur at a much higher rate here than in the U. S.
"It is a matter of people constantly exposed to the sun. The inflammation of their skin's pigmentation can result in a dark blemish," said Lt. Col. Steven E. Ritter, a dermatologist from the 81st Medical Operations Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
Many of the Dominicans were surprised at the suggestion to wear sunglasses; which often results in eye problems. This can result in pterygiums, a condition where the white part of the eye begins to grow over the cornea and eventually over the pupil, and cataracts, which cause the pupils to appear cloudy.
"These conditions are somewhat preventable if they would wear sunglasses with UV protection," said Col. Mark. J. Welter, an optometrist from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. "Some people begin to wear sunglasses as they get older, but the wear of ultraviolet protection is best to start in childhood."
Other health concerns addressed by the medical team included lower-back muscle pain caused by poor posture throughout their workday as kidney pain, quarter-inch diameter scars cover their bodies from incessant scratching of bug bites
Poor dental hygiene was another issue that the medics encountered.
Through it all, the medics here worked at a feverish pace treating for the problem of the day and educating them with knowledge they can use to prevent the onset of illness.
The team of 45 medics and support personnel treated approximately 4,000 patients during the first four days of medical operations here in the northern region of the Dominican Republic as part of the U.S. SOUTHCOM sponsored Beyond the Horizon 2009 - Caribbean exercise.
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)