World Health Day 2023 – President’s Message
Celebrated on 7th April every year, World Health Day provides a global opportunity to focus attention on important public health issues that affect the international community.
World Health Day reminds us that we have the ability to make a difference and create a healthier future for all. This year’s theme is ‘Health for All’, the idea where health is brought within reach of everyone and persons have the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life regardless of their social and economic status or geographic location.
Addressing the third United Nations High Level Meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in New York, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is quoted as saying, “if we want to win this battle as we have done with other diseases in our history, then the time for collective action is now”.
Healthy living environments can transform people’s lives and a healthy population is essential for sustainable development and economic growth. Unfortunately, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have reached epidemic proportions, largely attributed to unhealthy diets, with low-nutrient food and beverages becoming more alluring than their healthier alternatives.
It is concerning that NCDs are responsible for eight out of 10 deaths in Barbados, with approximately 66% of the population being either overweight or obese. A projected 39% of the population will be living with obesity, with an economic burden of 4.6% of national GDP by 2035, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2023. Alarmingly, the current percentage of overweight or obesity in children is 31%.
Due to the gravity of NCDs in Barbados, it is necessary to have an urgent and coordinated response that involves all levels of society.
NCDs such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes pose a real danger to everyone, either through a direct impact on an individual’s health or, indirectly, such as through the economic burden of healthcare costs or the emotional impact of losing a loved one.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) — as one of the Civil Society Organizations leading the charge against cardiovascular diseases and strokes on the island — plays a key role in assisting Barbadians with their heart-related issues. The HSFB also provides education on proper nutrition and exercise to promote healthier lifestyles, and encouraging a rapid transition from policy to action.
The Foundation and its partners have worked over the years to advocate for robust policies to prevent and treat the crisis of overweight and obesity in Barbados. The HSFB provides professional training courses, such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) and has developed a number of core cardiovascular health programmes such as the Emergency Cardiac Care Programme (ECC) Professional Courses, the Teenage Kicks YUTE Gym and the Cardiac Disease Prevention & Rehabilitation Programme.
The 2023 theme suitably sits against the backdrop of recent announcements by the Government of Barbados to roll out the School Nutrition Policy and remove trans fatty acids from industrially-produced foods in the next two years.
The nation is now in a unique position to demonstrate leadership on the international scale by implementing strategies and programmes to forfend the NCD epidemic. A range of innovative strategies have been identified such as front-of-package warning labelling, taxes on unhealthy food and drinks, enhancements to the quality of nutrition available to our students and advocacy for physical activity in schools.
The importance of parents, caregivers, civil society, and the government should not be underestimated, as we address this hidden epidemic. Together, we can build a healthier nation where everyone can live a fulfilling life. Let us work towards this goal, not just on the occasion of World Health Day, but every day.
Health is precious – Protect it!