As we observe this year’s commemoration under the theme “Love that Body – Eat Healthy, Live Longer”, we must encourage more Member States to adopt the measures recently taken by two of our Member States to discourage the consumption of products with high sugar, trans fats and salt content.
These measures will not be without resistance from industry but evidence from the United States shows that at the local level there has been a 33 per cent reduction in premature mortality due to NCDs in its communities by curbing these risk factors.
From CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque’s Message for Caribbean Wellness Day, 12 September 2015
See Full message below
The History of Caribbean Wellness Day commenced on 8 September 2007, when Dr the Honourable. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines stated in Port-of-Spain that the Declaration of the Heads of Government on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) on that day represented ‘a wellness revolution’. The Member States of the Community have since continued to mark this day with activities to ensure the continuation of that revolution such as physical exercise and healthy nutrition.
Non-Communicable Diseases continue to be a threat to life and livelihoods in our Community. Since 2001, we have continued to witness a decrease in mortality attributable to heart disease and diabetes. The 14 per cent reduction in premature deaths we have seen from these two causes has contributed to at least a 50 per cent decrease in premature deaths overall.
This has been due in part, to the reduction of risk factor influence and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. We have also come to recognise that primary treatment, including screening of disease and improvements in the management of NCD-related medical emergencies, has also contributed to this reduction. It is encouraging that steps are being taken at the regional level to enhance access to primary low-cost medications and technologies aimed at improving NCD detection and control.
The Region, however, has some way to go if it is going to meet the global target it called for of 25 per cent reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025, and which was embraced by the World Health Assembly in 2013, in the WHO Global targets for NCDs. Current trends indicate that we will only attain a 13 per cent reduction by 2025.
It should be noted that these are the very targets which will be adopted under the Sustainable Development Goals and Targets to be adopted at the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the end of this month in New York.
The Community therefore has to improve this situation. For example, it has to advance the cause of prevention by implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). There needs to be more national advocacy for progressive tobacco legislation which includes a ban on smoking in public places and improving the labelling of tobacco products. I urge that more Member States join the four which have legislation in place that reflects implementation to the FCTC protocols.
As we observe this year’s commemoration under the theme “Love that Body – Eat Healthy, Live Longer”, we must encourage more Member States to adopt the measures recently taken by two of our Member States to discourage the consumption of products with high sugar, trans fats and salt content. These measures will not be without resistance from industry but evidence from the United States shows that at the local level there has been a 33 per cent reduction in premature mortality due to NCDs in its communities by curbing these risk factors.
Ministers of Health and Trade will examine the trade-related aspects of NCD control. Such a consideration at the regional level will go a long way to support the national efforts in relation to sugar, salt and trans fats. One of the issues to be looked at is the incentive regimes to encourage the use of more fresh, indigenous foods in our Region.
I am quite pleased that our Member States have continued to embrace the concept of Wellness Day and Wellness Week and, in some instances, Wellness Month. The many health fairs and walks and food demonstrations must eventually redound to the good of our peoples and their health. It will certainly contribute to CARICOM Leadership in NCD advocacy.
Happy Wellness Day 2015!
