High level CARICOM confab to deal with prevention, control of NCDs

Sep 16, 2011 News

Globally, 60% of deaths are caused by chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) with approximately 40% occurring below the age of 70, according to Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau (PASB) Sir George Alleyne.
He also noted that the Caribbean has the highest prevalence of chronic NCDs in the Region of the Americas with heart diseases and cancer, the leading causes of death among males and females. Diabetes – the silent killer – ranks number five among males and number three among females.
Member States of the United Nations at their May 2010 General Assembly (UNGASS) decided to plan a high level meeting on 19-20 September 2011 to deal decisively with the issue of prevention and control of NCDs.
According to CARICOM consultant on chronic disease prevention, Dr Alafia Samuels, the social determinants of health – urbanization, globalization and education – plus an aging population set the stage for unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity and tobacco and alcohol abuse. These common risk factors, she stated, are associated with the biological risk factors of hypertension, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels (fats) and obesity.
It is against this background that the Caribbean Community, taxed by the socio-economic burdens of NCDs, has indicated to the world in a 15-point actionable declaration: “let us unite to stop the overwhelming tide of chronic non-communicable diseases!”
And now, just days away from this meeting, which was largely instigated by the lobbying efforts of CARICOM in partnership with Civil Society and the WHO Pan American Health Organization, Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community will unite with the rest of the world to develop a political and development strategy to counter the threats posed to the global development goals by chronic NCDs.
According to CARICOM, it will take more than the political will implicit in the outcome document and or declaration emanating from the meeting on September 20. It will take tangible short, medium and long term actions scoping a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach to risk factor reduction; concerted and systematic reforms in the regional health sector supported by international development partners. This should give rise to equitable access to effective affordable treatment and improved surveillance and program monitoring and evaluation.
CARICOM further noted that, to be able to accomplish any of this the clarion call to unite against chronic NCDs must be heeded by the regional private sector, civil society, and the media. In addition, it was emphasised that mobilising these resources will require decisive leadership from the Caribbean Community.

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High level CARICOM confab to deal with prevention, control of NCDs

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