Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and disability in the Caribbean region, imposing a high economic burden. One of the most common non-communicable diseases is diabetes. For Persons Living with Diabetes (all types), the disease can be effectively managed with a regimen of drug therapy and lifestyle modification, inclusive of nutrition therapy and exercise prescription. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by addressing the modifiable risk factors through adopting healthy lifestyle practices.
On Tuesday, 13 June 2023, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) hosted a webinar to launch and advocate for the standardized use of the Diabetes Nutritional Management Toolkit for the Caribbean developed to support the dissemination of the CARPHA Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes in Primary Care in the Caribbean. The launch of the toolkit was held as part of CARPHA’s observance of Caribbean Nutrition Awareness Month 2023.
Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director of CARPHA, speaking at the webinar to launch the toolkit, stated “In the CARICOM region, we are in a battle with the scourge of this NCD disease burden because we are what we eat. The epidemiology has not improved, and several of our sister islands are classified as having the highest NCD prevalence in the Americas. As NCDs are the leading causes of premature mortality, morbidity, and disability in the Caribbean region, there is also a high economic burden and the countries are less productive. Our children are overweight, obese and primed to develop diabetes and hypertension earlier than previous populations. Even worse, we watched as COVID-19 seemed to target those among us with diabetes and hypertension for severe illness and death.”
CARPHA developed a Diabetes Nutritional Management Toolkit to support the implementation of the nutrition component of the CARPHA Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes in Primary Care in the Caribbean. The tools were developed using the guidelines and current evidence on what works from the literature and consultations with nutrition and dietetic experts and other professionals in the Region.
The toolkit, consisting of nutritional support tools for health care professionals and persons living with diabetes and their caregivers, was developed as part of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) -funded project “Strengthening Strategic Intelligence and Partnership Approaches to Prevent and Control NCDs and Strengthen Regional Health Security in the Caribbean.”
Ms. Camille Guigonnet, AFD Project Officer and Regional Communication Manager delivered remarks on behalf of Mr. Marc Dubernet, AFD Regional Director for the Atlantic Ocean. “The Project has enabled CARPHA to develop knowledge and decision-making tools in the field of non-communicable diseases, particularly overload pathologies such as diabetes, which brings us together today. The different nutritional guides for persons living with diabetes or health care professionals designed in the framework of the CARPHA and AFD project are tangible evidence of our successful partnership. Not only will they contribute to counsel and provide nutrition services to persons with diabetes but will also deliver new efficient management tools for dietetic experts and other professionals in the Region.”
Photo: Media Stock
