NCD Stories
New trial to target preventable deaths in the Caribbean

Bridgetown, Barbados, February 17, 2017.  A study just launched will investigate ways to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which cause more than 60 per cent of deaths in the Caribbean. Researchers from King’s College London, the University of Guyana (UG), Ross University Dominica and the University of the West […]

Challenge to childhood obesity in the Caribbean gets a high-level boost

The need to address a growing epidemic of childhood obesity in the Caribbean brought together a range of top regional experts, leaders and officials in Barbados recently with the aim of thrashing out a road map to respond to this epidemic and make a difference to our children’s health. Hosted by the Caribbean Public Health […]

Childhood and adolescent obesity

Childhood and adolescent obesity is a major health issue in the Caribbean: more than 10% of young people are now obese. In some countries this figure rises to around 25%. Less than a third are active enough and are at growing risk of NCDs such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. In fact, in Barbados […]

Let’s protect the sugary drinks tax in Barbados

It is critically important that “we all work together to protect the tax on carbonated beverages” in Barbados, says a top regional official of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation. Dr Godfrey Xuereb, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados, told a packed public lecture held at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus that […]

Christmas stuffing?

For most of us the holidays are a time to kick back, relax and indulge in rich food and drink. We asked dietician Rachel Harris for some practical tips on how to make the most of the season, while keeping our health in mind. Be prepared When you’re going to Christmas parties, it’ll be easier […]

Champion of Public Health in the Caribbean

Dr Alafia Samuels, Director of the Chronic Disease Research Centre and head of the Port of Spain NCD Evaluation team, has long been a champion of public health in the Caribbean and a leading campaigner in tackling obesity and other NCD risk factors. An in-depth profile has just been published in The Lancet, Alafia Samuels: […]

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Michelle gets busy!

One of our first interviewees on the website was Michelle O’Kieffe from Trinidad who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2000 at the age of 32. Michelle has been in remission for a number of years and has had a daughter. She has become an activist now and we wanted to […]

PAHO Director receives UWI-led landmark report on NCDs

It’s time to accelerate action on non-communicable diseases   Bridgetown, Barbados, 17 October, 2016:  A landmark report on trends in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean since the Port of Spain Declaration in 2007 was formally presented to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr Carissa Etienne, at an event hosted by the University […]

Healthy eats, tasty treats

We’re starting a new series, sharing healthy recipes that are also tasty and easy to prepare. Do let us know if you have any great recipe ideas. This week we have a simple dish: rancher’s eggs (huevos rancheros).  The eggs are baked in a spicy tomato sauce, made using a similar method to a Trinidadian […]

World Food Day – A Caribbean farmer speaks

World Food Day – A Caribbean farmer speaks October 16 is World Food Day and the theme is ‘Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too’. It is well known that climate change is having an impact on food security around the world and the Caribbean is no exception. How are our farmers adapting to […]