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...]
Experts say high prevalence of NCDs in the Caribbean exacerbating pandemic’s impact
Authorities and experts attending a virtual seminar on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on sustainable development in the Caribbean have warned that the high prevalence of the diseases – such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer – is exacerbating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and hindering the region's progress towards achieving sustainable development due to their multiple health, … [Read more...]
Type 2 Diabetes on the rise in the Caribbean
Diabetes is a major public health challenge in the Caribbean affecting approximately 9% of the overall population in the region and is responsible for more than 13% of all adult deaths. In Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Dominica, and Jamaica diabetes is one of the leading causes of death. For example, in Trinidad and Tobago, and the British Virgin Islands, at least 14 % of the … [Read more...]
Commonwealth Health Ministers Meet To Strategise Universal Health Coverage
The Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM) is the annual meeting of health ministers from across the (British) Commonwealth countries. The meeting reviews activity and events from the previous year and provides a platform for countries to bring issues of health relevance to the attention of their Commonwealth partners and peers. Each CHMM provides a ministerial statement summarising the … [Read more...]
Jamaica Moves Closer to Providing Universal Health Coverage
The government of Jamaica took another step closer to providing universal health coverage to the population by the next fiscal year by unveiling a green paper on the proposal for a National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP). The Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton, made the announcement to the House of Representatives saying that feedback will be done on a national basis involving key … [Read more...]