A comprehensive analysis of diabetes-related healthcare expenditure across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) reveals dramatic financial disparities in treating the chronic condition. According to data derived from the International Diabetes Federation’s Diabetes Atlas (11th Edition, 2025), per-adult spending on diabetes care varies enormously among member states, ranging from a minimal $242 in Haiti to $2,450 in The Bahamas.
This financial mapping follows a previous report on the prevalence of the disease, which was found to be highest in Guyana (16.4%) and Belize (14.1%). The analysis indicates that national healthcare spending does not directly correlate with the severity of the diabetes burden within a country. Guyana presents a critical case study; despite leading the region in recent economic growth and having the highest prevalence of diabetes, it allocates only $361 per person for diabetes care—the second-lowest sum in CARICOM. Similarly, Belize, with the second-highest prevalence, spends a moderate $792.
The significant spending chasm largely mirrors broader differences in national income and the capacity of public health infrastructures. As diabetes rates continue their upward trajectory across the Caribbean, the critical question emerges: will financial investment in treatment, medication, and complication management rise correspondingly? The answer will fundamentally determine the long-term health outcomes for millions of citizens living with the disease in the region.