Health body calls for increased diabetes risk screening

As the region observed World Diabetes Day on November 14, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has urged member states and partners to expand access to free or affordable diabetes risk screening, especially in communities and primary care.

The regional health body is also pushing for countries across the Caribbean to implement or update national diabetes guidelines and train providers using current evidence.

Member states are also being encouraged to promote healthy environments that support nutritious diets, active lifestyles and reduce tobacco and alcohol use.

For persons living with diabetes, CARPHA reiterates that self-management is essential. This includes monitoring blood glucose levels, adhering to medication, attending regular check-ups, practising good foot and eye care, eating healthily, and staying physically active.

CARPHA has urged governments, health providers, civil society organisations, workplaces and individuals across the region to unite under the global theme ‘Diabetes and Wellbeing’.

The call, according to CARPHA, highlights this year’s campaign to focus on diabetes in the workplace, the urgent need to curb rising diabetes prevalence and to reduce the life-altering complications affecting thousands across the Caribbean.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Without proper management, raised blood glucose results in serious damage to nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and the cardiovascular system, often leading to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and lower-limb amputation.

Regionally, diabetes remains one of the most pressing public-health challenges for member states, contributing significantly to illness, premature death, and escalating healthcare costs.

According to most recent data, the prevalence of diabetes in the Caribbean (Non-Latin) was the highest in the region of the Americas at 11.9 per cent, noting that the prevalence of the risk factors of diabetes, overweight/obesity (23.2 per cent), physical inactivity (31 per cent) and unhealthy diet were also high.