Category: Research and Evidence

Human Development UnitCaribbean Country Management UnitLatin America and the Caribbean RegionThe World Bank Countries comprising the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States1 (OECS) face a growing challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are responsible for six of the top ten leading causes of death in the region, represent a growing portion of health spending, and impose a large economic burden at the societal, community, and household level. The common underlying risk factors fueling the crisis are poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol abuse. Current policies and programs do not sufficiently focus on prevention and could be improved with a …

Human Development UnitCaribbean Country Management Unit Latin America and the Caribbean Region The World Bank The countries of the Caribbean region have experienced a rapid and complex epidemiological transition in the past decades. Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death throughout the Americas, but the epidemic has hit the Caribbean region particularly hard. Recognizing the threat of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), heads of government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convened a Regional Summit, “Stemming the Tide of Non-Communicable Diseases”, on September 15, 2007, which called for comprehensive and integrated prevention and control strategies aimed at containing the emerging epidemic of …

The Growing Burden of Non- Communicable Diseases in the Eastern Caribbean Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for 6 of the top 10 leading causes of death in the Eastern Caribbean. The underlying risk factors are poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco consumption, and alcohol abuse. People are living longer, which presents new demands on the health systems in OECS countries*. Women represent a larger percentage of the population and the 65+ segment is growing relative to the younger segment. NCDs now surpass communicable diseases as the leading cause of death in the OECS countries. 70 percent of “Years of Life Lost” are …

Non-Communicable Diseases in Jamaica: Moving from Prescription to Prevention Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Jamaica. The most prevalent are hypertension, diabetes and asthma. Patterns of a specific disease vary considerably by socioeconomic subgroups, but females, seniors, and rural residents are at higher risk. Unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are major risk factors. Jamaica is carrying a double burden of both communicable diseases and NCDs. NCDs are rising substantially and rapidly as the population lives longer. 63 percent of “Years of Life Lost” are due to NCDs compared to a …