Bahamas News
Men’s Health Advice ahead of Father’s Day – 7 Secrets to Feeling Great as You Age
#TurksandCaicos, June 19, 2021 – Many people once made the assumption that Bahamian men had little to no interest in health issues, but fortunately, this misconception is changing based on the overwhelmingly positive responses to annual conferences hosted by the Ministry of Health on “Male Health.” Bahamian men today want to feel good as they get older, but to do so, they need to be knowledgeable about the risks that naturally rise with age and be willing to embrace preventive, healthy habits.
What affects the way we age?
“Your gender, genetics and psychological differences are all at play when it comes to aging,” says family medicine practitioner Donald Ford, MD, MBA at Cleveland Clinic. “Most importantly, other factors more within a man’s control can affect how well he ages.”
Dr. Ford says men age better if they:
- Are non-smokers.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
- Keep a healthy diet and weight.
- Have a strong support system.
Advancing age affects multiple systems in the body. Here are seven common areas that are affected, plus tips to fight back.
1. Fight heart disease and high blood pressure
As we get older, the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure rises. In fact, there’s a 75 percent risk of heart disease in men at age 60. (A similar risk for women isn’t seen until age 80.)
Tips: Keep high blood pressure and cholesterol under control, exercise, eat right and if you smoke, do everything you can to quit.
2. Keep your mind sharp
Our brains also change with age, and this includes losing neurons. Memory, cognitive function and reaction time are affected. Depression also becomes more common.
Tips: Keep your brain sharp with mental exercises, social activities, music, spending time with friends and keeping pets, if you like. If depression is an issue, seek psychological counseling.
3. Watch your metabolism and sleep
Changes in metabolism and hormone function often can result in weight gain and sometimes weight loss. Your sleep patterns can change.
Tips: If sleep is a concern, try going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time each morning. Also, if you take naps during the day, consider curbing them so you get a better night of sleep. These changes can help reset a circadian cycle. Exercise also can help you sleep better. You can also discuss weight gain or loss with your doctor.
4. Be smart about testosterone
Despite what you hear on TV, low testosterone that requires treatment is very rare and usually limited to men with chronic diseases, although prolonged use of drugs like opiates or steroids can be the cause. Most symptoms associated with low testosterone (fatigue, loss of libido) are usually due to other physical or psychological factors.
Tip: Work hard at getting plenty of exercise and 8 hours of sleep a night and the symptoms of “Low-T” usually improve.
5. Don’t ignore your skin
With age, skin can lose thickness and elasticity, making it more vulnerable to injury. Also, various skin lesions, such as sun spots, become more common.
Tip: Look for changes in any skin lesions, including shape, texture, size and color. If you notice anything, call your doctor right away.
6. Address prostate problems
The size of your prostate can increase, which can lead to less urine flow and frequent bathroom trips. There’s also a higher chance of urinary infection or prostatitis. Also, while women are more likely to have urinary incontinence, men are not immune.
Tip: Talk to your doctor about any issues with urination or any signs of irritation or pain. Most over-the-counter prostate remedies are ineffective.
7. Cut your osteoporosis risk
Osteoporosis tends to affect men later in life. An increased risk of fracture from bone fragility generally affects men ten years after women, but the severity or mortality associated with a hip fracture, for example, is higher in men.
Tips: Exercising regularly and avoiding smoking and excessive drinking can help you prevent osteoporosis.
Health screenings, treatment and supplements
To age well, it’s also important to do appropriate health screenings. Be sure your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are under control and if needed, that you undergo diabetes screening.
“As we approach age 50, we also need to screen colon cancer and prostate cancer,” Dr. Ford says. “I also look for things like lung cancer and aortic aneurysm in men with a history of smoking,” he adds.
He says it’s also a good idea to revisit your diet as you get older. You may find that the same diet you had at 20 no longer works at 50.
It’s important also to address heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression. Managing them may require prescription medication and/or lifestyle changes.
Supplements are generally unnecessary and sometimes harmful. Although taking a daily multivitamin may provide some reassurance, it’s always better to get your nutrients through a healthy diet.
“It’s important to focus on staying active physically. It doesn’t need to be tackle football. It can be dancing, walking or using a tread mill. The principle of “use it or lose it” becomes a reality as we age,” Dr. Ford says. “The more you just sit around, the more you just sit around.”
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
