In Barbados chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) have been a focused for years. Over the years Barbadians h
ave been addressing CNCDs by focusing on the patients and the treatments. Research (elaborated in this essay) shows that Barbados is having an increase in CNCDs, and is expected to further increase by 15% by the year 2025. The new Ministry (BLP) is looking for alternative means of combatting CNCDs within the country. There are numerous ways in which NCDs can threaten the development of a country. The two main threats for Barbados are Economical and Social. The country is now in the stage of developing a stable economy therefore it aims to address the CNCDs before it becomes too huge of a burden.
Dr. Carlisle Goddard stated “In Barbados diabetes increases more every year than any other CNCDs.” According to the International Diabetes Federation, “In 2015, 34,100 people in Barbados between the ages of 20 to 79 were known to have diabetes, 335 of them died, and an estimated 9600 walking around without knowing.” Dr. Dianne Brathwaite made the assumption that a fifth of the population may have diabetes. Diabetes can produce various forms of related illnesses that can put a strain on the national health budget.
The mortality rate is affected tremendously in Barbado
s by CNCDs. World Health Organization’s (NCD) Country Profile for Barbados (2018), illustrated that “CNCDs are estimated to account for 83% of all death. Cardio vascular diseases 29%, Cancer 23%, Diabetes 9%, chronic respiratory 4%, and other CNCDs 18%. Early mortality and disability caused by CNCDs affect the productivity of the working-age population”. WHO (2018). “Roughly one quarter of all NCD death occurs in people under the age of 60”. This would result in an impact on the labour force since a good percentage of people with CNCDs comes from the working class. West Indian Medical Journal states “The capital would be vulnerable to the treatment of CNCDs”. This is due to the fact that CNCDs are slow progression. Life-long CNCDs requires a longer management response that is more extensive and in some cases more expensive than other diseases. This relates heavily on the cost of medication as well.
The pursuit for higher standards of living can be responsible for the explosion of CNCDs in the world. Barbados is one of the most developed countries in the Caribbean. Comparing Barbados from the 1800s, 1900s to the 21st century you can see a dramatic difference. The infrastructure has increased and improved, agricultural lands have lessen, and, the lifestyle and the trends of the people have change. The increase of infrastructure suggests less trees and more cement. Additional commercialize buildings are being erected and less ‘fresh air’ is available. This increases the risk of respiratory diseases. More people are reported having respiratory disease as well as an increase of respiratory illness in children. The lifestyle change of the country offers numerous entities to source ‘fast food’ and people are very receptive to obtaining unhealthy food at any time. If you pass any Chefette once it is opened there would have people. In the older days it would be taboo to be at any fast food restaurant on a Sunday, while now it is a norm. Living a healthy lifestyle can be more expensive. This can affect the obesity within the country since people are looking for quick, reasonable and accommodating.
During the pandemic person have said to gain more weight since it is cheaper to eat unhealthy in Barbados, for example look at the comparison in cost between a package of French fries and a bag of fruits. Schools are looking at banning snacks and implementing healthy food within the canteen.
The Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is playing a role in helping Barbados to fight non communicable diseases (NCDs) through hosting a series of outreach clinics in communities. In Barbados today’s February 16, 2020 article Dr Hedda Dyer, Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Foundations, said “Childhood obesity is a challenge here in Barbados and across the world and is linked to diet and environment. So we are doing our part that we can here to impact positively the community and also students that are interfacing with the community,”
To better tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the process of prevention must now, and it starts with you, me …US.
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