The technical meeting, which was attended by high-level officials from the Government of Barbados and the Pan American and World Health Organizations, also discussed possible recommendations to save and improve lives.
The analyzed data showed that more than half of the residents of SIDS (52 according to the United Nations) die prematurely from noncommunicable diseases and the high blood pressure rate is over 30 percent in almost all.
Ten of them have the highest obesity rates in the world and are also expected to have the highest overall prevalence of adult diabetes on the planet.
“The climate crisis and Covid-19, combined with poverty, unemployment, inequality and the marginalization of minority communities, are fueling an increase in noncommunicable diseases and mental disorders,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom.
To address these challenges, we need to hear from affected communities about the challenges they face and the solutions that work in different settings, the doctor said.
The participating experts commented that progress and investment in the prevention and control of these diseases and in the promotion and maintenance of mental health remain insufficient.
They recalled the risk factors: tobacco use, low physical activity, unhealthy diet and obesity, and the poor integration of noncommunicable diseases and mental health services into primary health care and universal health care (CSU).
We have identified the issues and drivers while committing to action, mobilizing resources and working with non-traditional partners, said Jerome Walcott, Barbados Minister of Health and Welfare.
SIDS divided into three major regions, the Caribbean; Peaceful; Africa-Mediterranean-Chinese Sea-Indian Ocean have been recognized as a separate group by the United Nations since the 1992 Earth Summit.
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