Action on non-communicable diseases ‘not sufficiently advanced’

Caribbean nations have failed to do enough to combat non-communicable diseases during the last decade, regional leaders have said.

But Caribbean Community members have pledged to work harder in the future.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the CARICOM Heads of Government NCD Summit, at which the ‘Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)’ declaration was signed.

And at the recent CARICOM gathering in Grenada, a lack of movement – especially in an attempt to utilise and reinforce the recommended actions in the communities on this topic – was discussed.

“They recognised that the community had not sufficiently advanced the recommended actions with regard to the declaration and in that regard recommitted themselves to the promotion of healthy lifestyles to combat the epidemic of NCDs,” said an official communiqué released at the end of the three-day meeting.

Obesity

Member states have recommitted themselves to combatting the prevalence of NCDs, with an emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles.

Childhood obesity has been identified the greatest health challenge the region faces.

They estimated that at least 30% of primary and secondary school children were struggling to maintain a healthy weight.

“Heads of government also supported the strengthening of domestic food production along with the promotion and consumption of nutritious indigenous foods and urged the promotion of physical exercise in school-age children and an acceleration of the Public Education Programme on healthy lifestyles,” the communiqué added.

Financial hit

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Timothy Harris believes that some NCDs have the power to severely impact the Caribbean economy.

Citing a 2016 study from Trinidad and Tobago, Harris said that approximately 5% of that country’s gross domestic product was lost by the impact of preventable diseases.

“These are significant costs that are unsustainable. Importantly, they are preventable impediments to growth,” he said.

Harris urged the CARICOM leaders to implement legislative frameworks to “ban smoking in public places” in order to reduce the population’s exposure to harmful tobacco smoke.

Thirteen member states have ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and it is understood that any action to ban public smoking would be consistent with the obligations already put in place.

Former New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has reportedly approached the CARICOM leaders with his support of their endeavours to fight NCDs.

The Bloomberg Foundation has been approached for comment.