CBG Rolls Out Free Health Screening On Blood Pressure, Diabetes And Cholesterol In Ghana

The prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension) in Ghana is high and rapidly increasing, with recent estimates suggesting that between 28% and 50%

of adults are affected. Hypertension is a major public health issue in the country, often under-diagnosed and linked to rapid urbanization, with higher

rates observed in urban areas (up to 54%) compared to rural areas.

It is at the backdrop of this that the Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG) rolled out a free health screening programme, targeting about 1,000 residents in the Baatsona and Spintex communities in the Greater Accra Region. 

The exercise was focused on helping residents know their blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol levels.

It was also used to encourage them to take responsibility for their health and give medical advice where necessary.

Lack of awareness has always been a major obstacle in the fight against blood pressure in Ghana. A major concern is the high rate of undiagnosed cases. Studies indicate that up to 66% of people with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition.

Obesity and overweight rates are high and rising in Ghana, particularly in urban areas and among women. A recent health survey found that 50.2% of women aged 15-49 were overweight or obese, with nearly 43% of the total adult population affected, driven by dietary shifts and sedentary urban lifestyles.

High cholesterol and related lipid disorders are also a significant and growing public health concern in Ghana

. While historically considered lower in African populations, dyslipidaemia—abnormal levels of lipids—is now highly prevalent, particularly

in urban areas.

The CBG health screening formed part of the bank’s effort to promote preventive health care and support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) three on good health and well-being.

Another area of focus in its free health screening is diabetes. Diabetes prevalence in Ghana is rising rapidly, with estimates ranging from 4.0% to 8.3percent. It is a major non-communicable disease (NCD) threat, particularly affecting urban areas and older adults, while also emerging in younger populations.

According to CBG, the Health Train is a flagship health outreach initiative aimed at improving preventive healthcare and promoting health awareness in the communities where the bank operates.

The inaugural exercise, which held at the Power of Worship International Ministries (POWI) in Baatsonaa, provided hundreds of congregants and community members with free health screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar (diabetes), and cholesterol checks.

Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director, Dr Naomi Wolali Kwetey, Mavis Frempong, Head of Corporate Communications, Marketing, and Brands at CBG, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to improving community health outcomes.

“Consolidated Bank Ghana is a wholly Ghanaian-owned bank, and as part of our CSR policy, we focus on education, health, and community development. This first quarter, we are deliberately prioritising health, and that is why we are here today,” she said.

CBG Health Train targets about 1,000 beneficiaries across three locations, with the Baatsonaa outreach serving as the first stop.

She noted that the 2026 health campaign is themed “Know Your Numbers,” underscoring the importance of understanding one’s health status as a foundation for long-term well-being.

Mrs Frempong further disclosed that, in addition to the screenings, CBG will roll out additional health initiatives throughout the year to strengthen community healthcare delivery.

“As we always say, a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Health is central to productivity and prosperity,” she noted.

The Founder and General Overseer of Power of Worship International Ministries, Prophet Daniel Amoateng, expressed profound appreciation to CBG for selecting the church as the first host community.

“We are grateful to CBG for bringing this important health intervention to our congregation and community. This initiative speaks to the bank’s genuine concern for the well-being of the people, and we are honoured to partner with CBG on this impactful programme,” he said.

According to the bank, the CBG Health Train will continue its journey to additional selected communities to empower Ghanaians to live healthier, more informed lives.

It further added that the initiative aligns with CBG’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3—Good Health and Well-Being.

  

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The Health Benefits Of Laughter

    Laughter Is Good Medicine 

It’s true: laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.

With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

As children, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day, but as adults, life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. But by seeking out more opportunities for humor and laughter, you can improve your emotional health, strengthen your relationships, find greater happiness—and even add years to your life.

Laughter Is Good For Your Health

Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Laughter burns calories. Okay, so it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories—which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.

Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.

Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don’t laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer.

Physical Health Benefits

• Boosts immunity

• Lowers stress hormones

• Decreases pain

• Relaxes your muscles

• Prevents heart disease

Mental Health Benefits

• Adds joy and zest to life

• Eases anxiety and tension

• Relieves stress

• Improves mood

• Strengthens resilience

Social Benefits

• Strengthens relationships

• Attracts others to us

• Enhances teamwork

• Helps defuse conflict

• Promotes group bonding

Laughter Helps You Stay Mentally Healthy

Laughter makes you feel good. And this positive feeling remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss.

More than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh–or even simply a smile–can go a long way toward making you feel better. And laughter really is contagious—just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun.

The Link Between Laughter And Mental Health

Laughter stops distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.

Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.

Laughter shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict.

Laughter draws you closer to others, which can have a profound effect on all aspects of your mental and emotional health.

Laughter Brings People Together And Strengthens Relationships

There’s a good reason why TV sitcoms use laugh tracks: laughter is contagious. You’re many times more likely to laugh around other people than when you’re alone. And the more laughter you bring into your own life, the happier you and those around you will feel.

Sharing humor is half the fun—in fact, most laughter doesn’t come from hearing jokes, but rather simply from spending time with friends and family. And it’s this social aspect that plays such an important role in the health benefits of laughter. You can’t enjoy a laugh with other people unless you take the time to really engage with them. When you care about someone enough to switch off your phone and really connect face to face, you’re engaging in a process that rebalances the nervous system and puts the brakes on defensive stress responses like “fight or flight.” And if you share a laugh as well, you’ll both feel happier, more positive, and more relaxed—even if you’re unable to alter a stressful situation.

Courtesy: HelpGuide

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How Wearing Tight Pants Can Cause Infertility For Men And Women

It is now fashionable for men and women to wear tight underwear and pants. Many people like wearing tight fitting clothes for a lot of reasons. Aside from the fact that they hug the body while making you look and feel great, certain tight outfits are also fashion-forward. They are also what people prefer when working out, as they provide ease and a full range of motion when performing different routines. 

However, a study has found out that wearing looser underpants could be a simple way for men to improve their sperm count and the hormones that control it. In a study of 656 men, by researchers at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, in the US, boxer short wearers had a 25% higher sperm concentration than men in tight-fitting underwear.

Cooler temperatures around the testicles could be the reason. Experts say this simple lifestyle change could improve men's fertility.

Why Sperm Production Is Affected

Sperm production is known to be sensitive to temperatures above 34C (92F), which is why the testicles hang down away from the body.

Some styles of underpants, such as jockey shorts or briefs, bring the scrotum nearer to the body, causing the testicles to heat up, while others, such as boxer shorts, are looser and cooler.

The researchers found men attending a fertility clinic with looser-fitting boxer shorts had higher sperm concentration, a 17% higher total sperm count and 33% more swimming sperm than men with tighter-fitting underwear.

According to Fakih Fertility Center , wearing tight-fitting clothing is threatening your health. It can impede the free-flowing circulation of blood within the body and this can lead to health problems including blood clotting, hypothermia (reduced body temperature), numbness and many stomach issues including heartburn, abdominal pain, indigestion, and constipation.

The Effect On Women’s Reproductive Health

Women wearing tight clothes can find that they are more prone to
problems such yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and bacterial vaginosis. it can also cause bruising to the urethra – which is another factor that leads to the development of urinary tract infections like cystitis. Wearing tight clothing will trigger endometrial cells (cervical mucous) to escape from the cavity of the uterus and settle in the ovaries so that health becomes impaired. The pile of sweat that is around the area often cause problems, such as the onset of fungus, vaginal discharge or itching. If this is allowed to continue, it will cause mildew around the female sex organs. It is certain that a woman will experience a variety of vaginal environment disorders and will become very unbalanced and makes it harder for the sperm to reach the cervical opening.

How It Specifically Affects Men

For men, wearing tight clothes can trap the testicles near to the body and prevent the important movement which enables the testicles to move nearer or further from the body. If the testicles cannot move away from the body, they can be exposed to high body temperatures for long periods of time – which causes sperm and sperm-producing cell to be damaged. Tight clothes can also put pressure on the bladder and encourage the breeding of dangerous bacteria by the groin, which can then enter the body and cause urinary tract infections. Tight fitting clothes are also linked to low sperm count and fungal infections. If the testes are too hot for too long, sperm production is interrupted and won’t return to normal until their temperature returns to normal. It can take a few months of keeping the testicles at a normal temperature for sperm counts to improve if they have been lowered by heat stress.

How Tight Is Too Tight?

Clothes can hug the body and still feel comfortable. But when they start to cause physical discomfort, you’ve likely reached the realm of “too tight.”

In other words, “too tight” is pretty subjective. What feels tight to someone else may feel completely fine to you.

Still, a few key signs of too-tight clothing might include:

• red marks on your skin
• pressure marks
• skin irritation
• restricted movement

What Type Of Clothes Might Have These Effects?

Any garment that’s too tight can lead to discomfort and potential health effects.

Some common culprits include:

• tight pants or jeans, including workout leggings or skinny jeans
• belts
• shapewear, tights, and pantyhose

 

Advice To Both Men And Women

Tight figure-hugging undergarments might be trendy. So are latex body shapers which will offer you temporary solutions towards looking fit. However, these tight underclothes have a harmful impact on the reproductive organs. It is always advisable to wear comfortable, cotton undergarments. Tight undergarments do not only affect the women but wearing tight briefs in men also leads to decrease in sperm number and quality.

It’s important for women and men to stay away from wearing tight clothes and wear trousers and underwear that allow for ventilation and comfort around the groin. It’s a good idea to wear underwear and trousers that are made of a breathable material like cotton. Ditch synthetic materials that trap moisture and heat, as these only encourage bacteria growth and discomfort.

 

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How Much Of Sleep Is Too Much?

Why too much sleep is problematic

Most people know that too little sleep can be bad for you. Regularly getting too little sleep is linked to a number of chronic diseases, not to mention irritability and sluggishness during the day. 

But did you know that sleeping too much could also be problematic? Oversleeping is associated with many health issues, including:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Depression
• Headaches
• Greater risk of dying from a medical condition

But how do you measure sleep and does that mean sleeping too much will make you sick? Not necessarily, says Charlin Gamaldo M.D., a neurologist and sleep specialist at Johns Hopkins Medicine. “We don’t exactly know the cause and effect,” she says. “It probably works the other way, that when you are sick, it leads to more sleep time.”

Does sleeping too much actually contribute to illness, or is it a sign of an existing condition? Either way, if you find yourself always nodding off or looking for the next nap, it might be time to bring the issue to the attention of your healthcare therapist or get some natural health products.

How much sleep is too much?

Sleep needs can vary from person to person, but in general, experts recommend that healthy adults get an average of 7 to 9 hours per night of shuteye.

If you regularly need more than 8 or 9 hours of sleep per night to feel rested, it might be a sign of an sleep or medical problem, Gamaldo says.

What’s making you so tired?

A number of conditions can disrupt sleep or interfere with the quality of your slumber, leading you to feel tired and sluggish even after spending 8 hours in bed, says Gamaldo. Those conditions include:

• Sleep apnea, a breathing disorder that causes brief pauses in breathing during sleep
• Restless legs syndrome, a brain disorder that causes an unpleasant and sometimes overwhelming urge to move your legs when you’re at rest
• Bruxism, in which you grind or clench your teeth during sleep
• Chronic pain
• Certain medications

Then there are conditions that don’t significantly impair the quality of your sleep, but increase the amount of sleep you need. Those include:

• Delayed sleep phase syndrome, a disorder in which your circadian rhythm, or biological clock, keeps you up into the wee hours, making it hard to wake in the morning
• Idiopathic hypersomnia, a disorder that causes excessive sleepiness for unknown reasons

Improving your sleep quality

Fortunately, there are treatments for many of these conditions, which can help improve the quality of your sleep.

Having a Sleep Study

Many people find themselves sleeping more as they get older, and assume it’s a normal part of aging, Gamaldo adds. But getting older shouldn’t change your sleep needs dramatically. Most adults consistently need the same amount of sleep throughout their adult years.

If you’ve ruled out those conditions and are still hitting the snooze button after 9 hours under the covers, it might be a clue that you have an underlying medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes or depression.

If you’re an oversleeper, Gamaldo recommends checking in with your health care provider. He or she could carry out some analyses and might recommend a sleep study to rule out sleep disorders as well as natural health products to help you out. “If possible, you should seek professional help from a sleep center,” she says.

How do sleep needs change with age?

Sleep needs vary somewhat from person to person. The National Sleep Foundation of the United States recommends these targets for making sure you log enough sleep each day:

• Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours (including naps and nighttime)
• Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hours (including naps and nighttime)
• Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours (including naps and nighttime)
• Preschoolers (3-5): 10-13 hours (including naps and nighttime)
• School age children (6-13): 9-11 hours
• Teenagers (14-17): 8-10 hours
• Adults (18-64): 7-9 hours

 

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The Adverse Effects Of Tattoos On Health

A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on the skin with tattoo ink. Usually, a tattoo artist uses a handheld machine that acts much like a sewing machine. The machine has needles that pierce the skin many times. With every puncture, the needles insert tiny drops of ink into the top layer of the skin.

Some call it Body Art, others just call it tattoo. Do you have a tattoo or intend to get one, then you need to read this. It is estimated that one-tenth of adults in the large cities in Nigeria now have at least one tattoo, but getting Body Art may come with long-term medical risks. While it is true that tattoos are becoming more popular than ever, it is also a fact that more and more people than ever are developing infections from contaminated tattoo inks, as well as adverse reactions to the inks. 

Tattooing causes a small amount of bleeding and some pain. As they create tattoos, tattoos artists usually don't use medicine to ease pain, called anesthetic.

Most of the risks and side effects of tattoos occur when the tattoo is still fresh. At this point, your skin is still healing, so proper aftercare is necessary to prevent complications.

Skin Infection

While tattooing is an art, the actual process is technically one that causes injury to your skin. This includes both the upper (epidermal) and middle (dermal) layers of skin.

Your skin needs to recover after you get new ink, so your tattoo artist will give you tips on how to prevent infections.

An infection can also occur if nonsterile water is mixed with the ink before injection.

You’re most vulnerable to a skin infection from a tattoo within the first two weeks. Symptoms include redness, itchiness, and discharge. The area may also become swollen.

If the infection spreads, you can have other symptoms             , such as a fever. In severe cases, infections can be chronic (ongoing).

Allergic Reactions

Some people might develop an allergic reaction after a tattoo. This is usually related to the ink — especially if it contains plastic — and not the needling process itself. According to the Mayo Clinic, red,  yellow, blue, and green pigments tend to be the most allergenic.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction from tattoos can include a red rash, hives, and severe itchiness. Swelling can occur too. These effects can occur years after you get the tattoo. There are, however, some natural health products to help you out of these allergic reactions.

Keloid Scarring

Tattoos have the potential to scar. This is especially true if your tattoo doesn’t heal properly, or if you have an infection or allergic reaction. Eventually, you can also develop keloid scars — these consist of raised bumps that contain old scar tissue.

Complications With MRIs

If your doctor orders an MRI scan, there’s a slight chance that the test could interact with your tattoo. Some of the side effects include swelling and itchiness afterward, but they tend to go away on their own.

Your risk of such reactions could be higher if your tattoo was inked with low-quality pigments or if the tattoo is old.

Talk to your health care provider if you’re concerned about your tattoo interfering with an MRI scan. According to the Mayo Clinic, this reaction is relatively rare.

Sterilization Of Needles

A reputable tattoo artist will use sterilized needles. Many states require the use of sterilized needles by law although this can vary by state.

Not using sterilized needles increases your risk of infection                and can also pose the risk of transmitting blood-borne illnesses, including HIV, hepatitis C and many others.

Can Hide Skin Cancer

Another risk of getting a tattoo is that it can hide possible signs of skin cancer or another skin condition. These include the telling moles, red patches, and other signs that might be associated with a skin issue that could go undetected.

 

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Understanding And Coping With Depression In Women

What is depression?

Feeling sad is a normal reaction to difficult times in life. Depression is different—it is a mood disorder that can affect how a person feels, thinks, and acts. Read this fact sheet to learn about depression in women and ways to get help.

 Depression is a medical condition

Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. Research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors              . 

All people can feel depressed, but the disorder is especially common among women due to unique biological, hormonal, and social experiences. 

Depression is not brought on by anything a woman has or has not done, and it is not something she can “snap out” of. Most women need treatment and natural remedies to feel better.

 Depression has signs and symptoms to look out for

Sadness is only one part of depression. Other common symptoms include:

• Anxiety or irritability
• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Physical aches or pains that do not have a clear physical cause
• Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

These symptoms can make it hard to think, work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. Talk to a health care therapist if you experience symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks. Depression does not look the same for everyone; some women may experience many symptoms, and others may experience only a few.

Communicating well with a health care provider can improve your care.

Certain types of depression are unique to women

Certain types of depression occur at specific stages of a woman’s life. Pregnancy, the postpartum period, the menstrual cycle, and perimenopause are associated with physical and hormonal changes that can bring on a depressive episode in some women.

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a more intense form of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, that occurs in the weeks before menstruation. The disorder causes severe symptoms, such as depressed mood, anger or irritability, suicidal thoughts, appetite changes, bloating, breast tenderness, and joint or muscle pain.
• Perinatal depression occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. It is more than the “baby blues” many new moms experience after giving birth. Women with perinatal depression feel extreme sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that may make it difficult to carry out daily tasks, including caring for themselves or others.
• Perimenopausal depression affects some women during the transition to menopause. Whereas abnormal periods, problems sleeping, mood swings, and hot flashes are common during the menopause transition, more extreme feelings of irritability, anxiety, sadness, or loss of enjoyment may be signs of depression.

You can get help for depression.

Even the most severe depression can be treated. Common treatments are natural antidepressant products , talk therapy (virtual or in person), or a combination of medication and therapy.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” for treatment. It may take trial and error to find the best one for you. A health care provider can explain the different options and help you choose the best treatment based on your symptoms. With help, you can feel better. 

How to cope with depression

Try these coping strategies if you're feeling depressed.

Stay in touch

Don't withdraw from life. Socialising can improve your mood. Keeping in touch with friends and family means you have someone to talk to when you feel low.  

Be more active

Take up some form of exercise. There's evidence that exercise can help lift your mood. If you haven't exercised for a while, start gently by walking for 20 minutes every day. 

Face your fears

Don't avoid the things you find difficult. When people feel low or anxious, they sometimes avoid talking to other people. Some people can lose their confidence in going out, driving or travelling.

If this starts to happen, facing up to these situations will help them become easier.

Don't drink too much alcohol

For some people, alcohol can become a problem. You may drink more than usual as a way of coping with or hiding your emotions, or just to fill time. But alcohol won't help you solve your problems and could also make you feel more depressed.

Try to eat a healthy diet

Some people don't feel like eating when they're depressed and are at risk of becoming underweight. Others find comfort in food and can put on excess weight.

Antidepressant can also affect your appetite.

If you're concerned about weight loss, weight gain or how antidepressants are affecting your appetite, talk to your therapist.

Have a routine

When people feel down, they can get into poor sleep patterns, staying up late and sleeping during the day. Try to get up at your normal time and stick to your routine as much as possible.

Not having a routine can affect your eating. Try to carry on cooking and eating regular meals.

Seeking help for depression

Get help if you're still feeling down or depressed after a couple of weeks.

Treatments for depression include talking therapies and natural health formulations.

 

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