The regional response to the grave threat posed by NCDs must be intensified immediately if the health, wellbeing and development gains of Caribbean people are to be protected.  This was the key message emerging from a major regional workshop in Port of Spain held on 24-25 February.    

The lively two-day event brought together Ministers, academics, experts and activists from some 14 Caribbean countries to review the results of an expert evaluation of the landmark 2007 CARICOM Port of Spain Declaration on NCDs. A new Plan for Action was also developed. 

NCDs are taking a heavy toll on the population in the region and the risk factors that lead to these diseases are spiralling.The NCD burden in the Caribbean is the worst in the Americas. In some countries, 80% of adults are overweight or obese, more than half have high blood pressure and 25% are diabetic. 

Read full press release in the link below.