{"id":219307,"date":"2024-12-17T16:39:09","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T20:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=219307"},"modified":"2024-12-17T16:40:36","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T20:40:36","slug":"non-communicable-diseases-account-for-over-75-of-all-deaths-in-the-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/non-communicable-diseases-account-for-over-75-of-all-deaths-in-the-region\/","title":{"rendered":"Non-communicable diseases account for over 75% of all deaths in the region"},"content":{"rendered":"
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World Bank experts: NCDs account for between 1.4% – 8% of GDP loss in the Caribbean<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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Caribbean countries need to urgently address the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs account for over 75% of all deaths in the region, with devastating economic consequences, including productivity losses and unsustainable healthcare costs. This critical message was emphasized by health experts from the World Bank and regional health organizations during a public discussion as part of the Ask WBG Series<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In countries like Barbados and Jamaica, NCDs lead to losses equivalent to 5.34% and 5.87% of GDP, respectively. Jamaica alone has seen $17.2 billion in lost economic output over 15 years. Without targeted interventions, the region faces rising premature deaths\u201440% of NCD-related deaths occur before age 70\u2014and escalating healthcare expenditures.<\/p>

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\u201cThe current losses to economies from health care costs and lost productivity is massive and projected to increase exponentially as our populations age.  The future of health in the Caribbean must be one where we act decisively to address non-communicable diseases and protect our economies\u201d said Lilia Burunciuc, <\/em><\/strong>World Bank\u2019s Country Director for the Caribbean. <\/p>

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The discussion shed light on critical gaps in NCD policies, with Caribbean nations implementing less than 40% of recommended measures. Priority areas for improvement include increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol, restricting unhealthy food marketing, and promoting physical activity. No Caribbean country currently meets the WHO-recommended 75% tax share on tobacco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Edit Velenyi<\/strong>, World Bank\u2019s Senior Economist, highlighted that investments in NCD prevention yield high returns. In Jamaica, for every $1 spent on NCD prevention, $2.1 is gained in healthcare savings and productivity, with potential GDP savings of 4.3% and 5,700 lives saved over 15 years.<\/p>

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Experts offered a set of policy recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n