Developing countries on small islands accelerate fight against major causes

Developing countries on small islands accelerate fight against major causes of death PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization PAHO

Barbados, 18 January 2023 – The Government of Barbados, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization are hosting a high-level technical meeting on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health (SIDS) with developing countries on small islands this week. The debate will focus on progress, challenges and opportunities to scale up multisectoral action on NCDs and mental health and to develop recommendations to scale up action that saves and improves lives.

To mark the occasion, WHO has published a data portal on NCDs in SIDS, which highlights some of the world’s highest prevalence rates for NCDs and mental health risks. Data shows that more than half of the people in small island developing States die prematurely from these diseases and that the rate of hypertension exceeds 30% in almost all countries.

Ten of the countries with the highest obesity rates in the world are small island nations. SIDS is also predicted to have the highest prevalence of adult diabetes in the world. Mental health disorder rates reach 15% in the Caribbean and Pacific.

“Countries are facing multiple overlapping crises. The climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with poverty, unemployment, inequality and the marginalization of minority communities, are leading to an increase in noncommunicable diseases and mental disorders,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “To address these challenges, we need to hear from affected communities about the challenges they face and the solutions that work in different settings. We look forward to working with SIDS to achieve ambitious results on NCDs and mental health.”

SIDS are disproportionately exposed to the effects of the climate crisis on both physical and mental health. The high prevalence of NCD risk factors such as tobacco use, low physical activity, unhealthy diet and obesity, coupled with poor integration of NCD and mental health services into primary health care (APS) and mainstream health care, left the population vulnerable to serious illness COVID-19. This situation increased the pressure on the already overburdened healthcare systems. Progress and investment in the prevention and control of NCDs and in mental health promotion and care remain insufficient.

“Small island developing States have a track record of tackling big challenges, finding solutions and influencing the global agenda to drive development,” said Dr. Jerome Walcott, Minister of Health and Welfare of Barbados. “We identified the issues and drivers while committing to action, mobilizing resources and working with non-traditional partners. We must take a critical look at initiatives that address NCDs that have the potential to positively impact and improve the health and well-being of our citizens.”

At the high-level meeting, countries made key recommendations to scale up action on NCDs and mental health to meet the SDG target of reducing premature mortality from NCDs and suicides by a third by 2030.

The recommendations include concrete actions to accelerate collaboration on early detection, prevention and treatment of NCDs and mental disorders in SIDS; strengthening health systems in the face of the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic; health promotion and prevention of noncommunicable diseases, with a particular focus on combating obesity; Providing adequate and sustainable resources (financial and human) for NCDs and mental health; and strengthening information systems for health. These recommendations will also serve as the basis for the final document of the ministerial meeting in June 2023.

This agenda will also inform and contribute to the preparations for the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage in 2023, the Fourth United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases to be held in 2025, and future world summits on the topic mental health and climate change.