INTRODUCTION

This issue of the Journal commemorates 50 years of political independence from Britain of both Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. It is also the Golden Jubilee of The University of the West Indies (UWI) as a full degree granting institution after cutting its umbilical cord from the University of London.
The Editorial Board of the Journal congratulates all three entities on their sterling contribution to the people of the Caribbean, foremost, and the world at large. The founding fathers of independence of these countries would be proud of the sophisticated societies that are emerging out of these far flung islands and the academic excellence of UWI, which commenced its operations in refugee barracks, has vindicated the struggle for a university in the Caribbean.
In this issue of the Journal, there is a wide range of research articles that have favourably impacted on health and quality of life of the people in the Caribbean and worldwide.