The legacy of colonialism, modern-day conveniences and a diet high in fat and sugar have bequeathed the island a diabetes and high-blood pressure pandemic. But can health plans win out over corporate interests? The beaches are white sand, cruise ships meander through its warm azure waters and Rihanna is its global champion. But there is major trouble in Barbados’s 167 square miles of paradise. … [Read more...]
Caribbean countries to benefit from new PAHO initiative piloted in Trinidad and Tobago
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says it has developed a digital platform to bring telehealth services to remote populations in Latin American and Caribbean countries, making telemedicine the “new normal” for healthcare workers and patients managing chronic diseases. It said based on open-source technology, PAHO’s All-in-ONE Telehealth platform was developed in 2022 thanks to the … [Read more...]
Towards a smoke–free Caribbean
Policy briefs launched to support Caribbean countries in implementing smoke-free legislation A Smoke-Free Caribbean by 2025/2030.That was the vision articulated at this year’s ‘World No Tobacco Day’ virtual celebration held on Monday, May 30. “As tobacco use alone accounts for one in six of all deaths resulting from NCDs, all of those people will be alive with their finances … [Read more...]
New global report shows Caribbean ranking high in obesity figures
On the occasion of World Obesity Day 2022 and in celebration of thetheme ‘Everybody Needs to Act’, nine regional partners haveunited to reaffirm their collective commitment to work together toprioritise action against overweight and obesity even as the World ObesityAtlas, 2022 paints a dismal picture for obesity in the Caribbean. The Atlas, released on March 4, 2022, by the World Obesity … [Read more...]
Raging Non-Communicable Diseases In The Caribbean Have Sparked A War Between The Food Industry And Public Health
In the English-speaking Caribbean, one of the sub-regions of the world with the highest prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), public health organizations are locked in a tug-of-war with the food industry over proposed food-related legislation targeted at addressing the over-consumption of NCD-causing foods. In summary: Diet-driven NCDs cause up to 83% of all deaths in the region. … [Read more...]