It concluded on Wednesday following a two-day conference hosted by the government, WHO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Barbados.
More than half of the population living in small island nations die prematurely from preventable diseases According to the new WHO data portal, almost all countries have hypertension rates above 30%.
A crisis that fosters disease
SIDS accounts for the 10 countries with the highest obesity rates in the world.
The Caribbean and Pacific also tend to have the highest adult diabetes prevalence in the world, while rates of mental illness reach 15%.
The situation is partly due to multiple overlapping crises affecting the country, the WHO explained.
“The climate crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, combined with poverty, unemployment, inequality and the marginalization of minority communities, are spurring an increase in non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions,” said the agency’s executive director. said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, .
Working together for change
During the conference, participants identified key recommendations for scaling up action to achieve a one-third reduction in premature mortality from NCDs and suicide by 2030.
Recommendations include accelerating collaboration on early detection, prevention, and management. Strengthening the health system in the face of the climate crisis and his COVID-19 pandemic. Address obesity and provide adequate and sustainable financial and human resources for NCDs and mental health.
reduce risk
The conference also heard that small island states are at the forefront of deployment. A low-cost, high-efficiency solution Reduces the most common risk factors for NCDs and mental health.
Interventions include using health taxes, integrating health into climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, and maintaining NCDs and mental health services in health emergencies.
Commercial factors of NCDs such as trade agreements and policies were also discussed.
WHO said these measures have impacted prices, availability and promotion of food, tobacco and alcohol, contributing to alarmingly high levels of food insecurity and preventable disease in SIDS. said.
