BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched the 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health that addresses some of the world’s deadliest diseases in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are especially at risk.
PAHO said the declaration is a “key outcome” of the SIDS Ministerial Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health that ends here on Friday. The three day event was hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), PAHO and the Barbados government.
In a statement, PAHO said SIDS are “disproportionately impacted by NCDs, which cause 74 per cent of all deaths globally, due to their reliance on imported food, commercial influences and the climate crisis.”
A new WHO report shows that eight of the 15 countries with more than a 30 per cent risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease are SIDS.
The reports adds that 10 countries with the highest obesity rates globally are all SIDS in the Pacific, where over 45 per cent of adults live with obesity.
It said mental health conditions are common in SIDS countries, affecting an estimated 15.2 per cent of the population in the Caribbean and 11.2 per cent in the Pacific.
The report notes people with mental health conditions face a higher risk of premature mortality, including from unaddressed physical health conditions and from suicide.
“Stigma, specialized staff shortages and the impact of climate change contribute to a challenging situation in SIDS that requires immediate attention,” the report added.
The 2023 Bridgetown Declaration outlines bold steps to address the range of social, environmental, economic and commercial issues that lead to NCDs and mental health conditions.
Developed through an inclusive process led “for” and “by” SIDS, PAHO said the declaration notes that NCDs and mental health conditions cannot be properly addressed without responding to the climate crisis.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has already called for bold action for climate, good health, and well-being as well as redressing and reorganizing global financing to unlock billions in investment.
“Funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the most vulnerable countries is also key, with noncommunicable diseases and mental health accounted for,” she said.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the challenges faced by SIDS are interconnected and multifaceted.
“Climate change, environmental degradation, social and economic inequalities, and the commercial determinants of health exacerbate the burden of NCDs and mental health conditions,” he said.
As part of agreeing the declaration, SIDS signed up to undertake a suite of actions, covering areas such as engaging all of society, accelerating implementation, securing investments, aligning across governments and accounting for progress.
The conference here has showcased specific commitments by SIDS on NCDs and mental health, including to improve access to mental health care in primary care facilities, update tobacco control legislation to cover e-cigarettes and vaping, and reduce populations’ salt and sugar intake.
PAHO said the conference and the declaration will inform and shape forthcoming UN General Assembly High-Level Meetings on universal health coverage in September 2023 and on NCDs in 2025.
