Small island States to accelerate action on preventable diseases, mental health — Global Issues
This follows a two-day meeting in Barbados organized by the Government, WHO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), ended Wednesday.
More than half of people living in small island countries are die early from preventable diseases and the prevalence of hypertension is more than 30% in most countries, according to a new WHO data portal.
Crisis promotes disease
SIDS accounts for 10 of the countries with the highest rates of obesity worldwide.
They are also on track to have the highest rates of adult diabetes in the world, while rates of mental health illnesses are as high as 15% in the Caribbean and Pacific.
This situation is partly due to the many overlapping crises affecting countries, the WHO explains.
“Climate Crisis and COVID-19 The pandemic, combined with poverty, unemployment, inequality and marginalization of minority communities, is driving the rise in noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions.” speak Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the agency.
Collaboration for change
During the meeting, participants identified key recommendations to increase action to achieve the goal of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and suicide by one third by 2030.
Recommendations include promoting cooperation in early detection, prevention and management; strengthening the health system in the face of the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic; tackle obesity and provide sustainable, adequate human and financial resources for NCDs and mental health.
Reduce risk
The meeting also heard that small island states are taking the lead in the implementation Low cost, high impact solution to reduce the most common risk factors for NCDs and mental health.
Interventions include the use of a health tax, mainstreaming health into climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, and maintaining mental health and noncommunicable disease services in the region. health emergencies.
Trade drivers of NCDs were also discussed, such as trade agreements and policies.
WHO says these measures affect the price, availability and marketing of food products, tobacco and alcohol, which contribute to food insecurity and possible diseases. preventable levels are alarmingly high in SIDS.
