By Dr. A. Jerry Simon
September 27 2026 | Health
This October, as the St. Paul’s community unites for our annual Health Month, we are presented with a powerful opportunity. It’s a time to move beyond vague concerns and take concrete, empowering steps toward a healthier future. The journey begins with a simple but profound act: knowing your numbers.
What are these numbers? They are the key indicators that paint a picture of your internal health. Your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight are not just abstract figures, they are vital signs that tell a story. For many in our community, the silent threats of hypertension and diabetes are a daily reality. These conditions often develop without obvious symptoms, quietly damaging the heart, kidneys, eyes and brain. Knowing your blood pressure and blood sugar levels is the first line of defense. It transforms a hidden risk into a manageable reality.
Beyond these, consider your Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference. These numbers help us understand our relationship with weight control and obesity, which are major contributors to chronic disease. But our health is more than just physical metrics. Your mental health is just as crucial. Are you getting enough sleep? How are you managing stress? Are you exercising? These are numbers too, the hours of rest, the moments of calm, the distance you walk, the minutes spent in daily moderate to vigorous physical activity. They are integral to your overall well-being.
This Health Month, we encourage every resident of St. Paul’s to participate in the free health screenings that will be available. Taking that step to check your numbers is not an admission of illness; it is an act of self-care and responsibility. It provides you with the knowledge you need to take control.
Knowledge, however, is only the beginning. The most critical step is the follow-up. If your numbers are outside the healthy range, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor. A professional can help you interpret your results and create a personalized plan.
This might include dietary changes, a safe and effective exercise routine, or medication if necessary.
Just to emphasise the power of movement, regular exercise is one of the most effective tools we have to manage our numbers, improve our mental health, and control our weight. It can be a simple walk with a friend, a community fitness class, or working in the garden.
Owning your health is a lifelong journey. It starts with the courage to know your numbers, the wisdom to seek guidance, and the commitment to follow through. Let’s make this Health Month a turning point for St. Paul’s. Let’s get screened, get informed, and work together to build a healthier, stronger community. Your health is your greatest asset, own it.
Dr. Simon can be contacted at NSA Medical Centre, (268) 462 0631 or (268) 779 2176.