分类： health

To mark World Health Day 2026, held annually on April 7, Dr. Lynora Fevrier-Drigo, Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Coordinator for Dominica, delivered a national address that balanced urgent calls to address pressing domestic public health challenges with measured optimism for the island nation’s health future. Aligning with the 2026 global theme “Together for Health: Stand with Science,” Dr. Fevrier-Drigo centered her remarks on three core pillars: cross-sector unity, evidence-led policy and programming, and shared collective responsibility for public health outcomes across the country.

In her address, Dr. Fevrier-Drigo acknowledged that non-communicable diseases remain the single largest threat to public health in Dominica. Up-to-date national public health data shows 32% of Dominican adults live with hypertension, while 18% are diagnosed with diabetes. More than 20% of the total population struggles with overweight or obesity, rates that place significant long-term strain on both individual health and national healthcare systems. Rather than framing these statistics only as a cause for alarm, Dr. Fevrier-Drigo framed them as a sign of progress: improved surveillance and growing public awareness have helped more people access testing and diagnosis, reflecting a more informed population and a more responsive public health system than in decades past.

Dominica has made substantial investments in upgrading healthcare infrastructure to tackle NCDs in recent years, particularly at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. The facility has expanded its diagnostic and treatment capabilities to include cutting-edge imaging and radiology services, a fully equipped modern pathology laboratory, and specialized dialysis care for patients with chronic kidney disease. Through a new partnership with the China Institute for Cardiovascular Imaging, the hospital now offers advanced cardiac diagnostic services including echocardiograms and cardiac MRIs—medical resources that rank among the first of their kind available across the Caribbean region.

Beyond specialized hospital care, the government has prioritized strengthening primary healthcare access to ensure NCD screening and ongoing chronic disease management is available free of charge to all residents in every district across the island. This decentralized model, Dr. Fevrier-Drigo noted, reflects the nation’s unwavering commitment to health equity, guaranteeing that all Dominicans can access life-saving care regardless of their income level or geographic location, removing barriers that once delayed diagnosis and treatment for rural and low-income communities.

Policy reform has been another core pillar of Dominica’s national NCD response. The country has adopted and implemented all key World Health Organization recommendations for reducing NCD risk, including higher tobacco taxation, mandatory clear nutrition labeling for processed foods, and legal restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy food and beverage products to consumers. Dominica has also deepened regional public health collaboration through the Pan American Health Organization, joining the flagship Hearts in the Americas initiative designed to expand access to cardiovascular care across the Western Hemisphere. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the nation has formally committed to cutting premature mortality from NCDs by 30% by 2030.

Mental health has also been elevated as a top national public health priority, with ongoing work to update outdated mental health legislation and fully integrate mental health support services into primary care settings across the country. This shift, Dr. Fevrier-Drigo explained, reflects a growing understanding that holistic, person-centered care is essential to effectively addressing NCDs, as mental health and chronic physical health outcomes are deeply interconnected.

Dr. Fevrier-Drigo emphasized that sustained progress cannot be achieved by the government alone, noting that cross-sector collaboration has already driven meaningful momentum across the country. Agricultural programs are expanding local production of nutrient-dense fresh produce, making healthy food options more accessible and affordable for all residents. Primary and secondary schools have integrated health and life skills curricula to help young people build lifelong healthy habits. Meanwhile, community organizations, faith-based groups, sports clubs, and local workplaces have emerged as key hubs for promoting physical activity, holistic wellness, and shared accountability for public health.

The address closed with a direct call to action for individual Dominican citizens to join the national movement for better health. Dr. Fevrier-Drigo highlighted that free regular screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol are available at every local health center, and encouraged all residents to take advantage of these services to catch potential health risks early. She also promoted purchasing locally grown produce as both a health-conscious choice that supports personal wellness and a patriotic action that bolsters the island’s domestic agricultural sector. Leveraging Dominica’s abundant natural landscapes, she urged residents to incorporate regular physical activity—from daily walking to community sports—into their routines, and to encourage friends, family, and neighbors to adopt healthier habits as well.

“We are building a healthier Dominica, and the science tells us we are on the right path. What we need now is for every Dominican to walk it with us. Together for health, stand with science, stand with Dominica,” Dr. Fevrier-Drigo concluded.

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – April 7, 2026 – As the world marks World Health Day, public health leaders in the Caribbean are sounding the alarm over the disproportionate burden of foodborne diseases (FBDs) across the region and calling for urgent, coordinated cross-sector action under the One Health framework to address growing global health risks.

Global public health data paints a stark picture of the scale of foodborne illness: the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 600 million people around the world fall ill from contaminated food every year, leading to roughly 420,000 preventable deaths annually. Broader systemic trends, from accelerating climate change to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and widespread environmental degradation, have amplified global health risks, with 75% of all new emerging infectious diseases recorded in 2024 traced to zoonotic origins – pathogens that jump from animals to humans.

For the Caribbean region, these risks are particularly acute. Data from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) collected in 2019 shows that FBDs rank among the most commonly reported illnesses for both local residents and international tourists. Regional burden-of-illness research finds that roughly one in every 49 Caribbean people contracts a foodborne disease annually, a rate that jumps to one in 11 during large-scale mass gatherings. Children between the ages of 1 and 4 are the most affected, accounting for nearly 43% of all recorded FBD cases across the region.

Beyond the direct public health toll, FBD outbreaks pose a existential threat to the Caribbean’s tourism-dependent economies. An outbreak can trigger lasting reputational damage for destination countries, lead to sharp drops in tourism revenue, and even result in harmful trade restrictions that further strain local economies. Because of this, sustained FBD surveillance is a core pillar of CARPHA’s integrated regional disease monitoring system. Strong surveillance not only helps CARPHA’s 20+ member states meet their binding obligations under the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) but also improves national performance on the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and the State Party Annual Reporting (SPAR) processes that track global health security capacity.

This year’s World Health Day, held annually on April 7, carries the theme “Together for health. Stand with science”, which spotlights the critical role of scientific collaboration and collective action in protecting global public health. In recent years, a string of global and regional health emergencies has underscored how critical resilient surveillance infrastructure, timely cross-border data sharing, and coordinated multi-stakeholder action are to detecting, preventing, and responding to new and emerging health threats before they spiral into larger outbreaks. Public health experts increasingly agree that cross-sector, cross-discipline collaboration through the One Health approach is one of the most effective tools to address the interconnected, complex health challenges facing the world today.

The One Health framework is built on the core recognition that human health, animal health, plant health and the health of the natural environment are deeply interconnected. Addressing modern disease risks requires coordinated, cross-sector action rather than the siloed, single-discipline approaches that have long dominated public health. To combat rising FBD and zoonotic disease risks in the Caribbean, CARPHA is doubling down on its call for a more integrated, coordinated regional public health surveillance system, centered on cross-sector collaboration under the One Health model.

CARPHA’s work on FBD and zoonotic disease surveillance stretches back more than two decades: the program originated at the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) in 2003, and was expanded regionally after the formation of CARPHA in 2013. Today, the agency’s FBD and Zoonoses (One Health) programme is fully aligned with WHO’s recommended farm-to-table, multisectoral surveillance model that tracks risks from agricultural production through to food service and consumption.

Speaking on World Health Day, CARPHA’s Executive Director Dr. Joy St. John (referred to as Dr. Indar in internal agency comments) emphasized that a unified, multisectoral approach is non-negotiable to protecting the health of populations across all CARPHA member states. “CARPHA has advanced a regional One Health approach to strengthen integrated surveillance for foodborne diseases and zoonoses, which includes the development of a Regional One Health FBD Action Plan, support to Member States in updating National Action Plans, and establishment of the One Health Multisectoral Steering Committee (OHMSC) to improve inter-agency coordination,” Dr. Indar explained.

Beyond planning and coordination, CARPHA is building out new regional infrastructure to strengthen early threat detection. The agency is currently developing the Regional Integrated Early Warning and Surveillance System (RIEWSS), a cutting-edge platform that integrates health data from human, animal, and environmental sectors alongside laboratory data to speed up early detection and response to outbreaks. The agency has also expanded regional laboratory capacity through strategic cross-agency partnerships, deployed new rapid diagnostic tools across member states, and deepened collaboration with key global and regional partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Caribbean Agriculture Health Food and Safety Agency (CAHFSA), and the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET), among others.

To build a more resilient regional public health system, CARPHA is calling on member states and regional partners to advance six key strategic priorities:
First, strengthen integrated surveillance systems across human, animal, and environmental health sectors to improve early detection and rapid response to emerging health threats. Second, enhance real-time data sharing and interoperability, including expanded use of digital public health platforms such as DHIS2, to support timely, evidence-based decision-making at all levels. Third, expand laboratory capacity and diagnostic capabilities across all member states to ensure accurate and rapid identification of public health risks. Fourth, formalize multisectoral coordination mechanisms and governance structures to enable cohesive, effective responses at both national and regional levels. Fifth, invest in sustained workforce development and One Health training to build a skilled, agile public health workforce equipped to tackle 21st century complex health challenges. Sixth, advance evidence-based decision-making and sustained regional collaboration to strengthen health system resilience and improve health outcomes across the entire Caribbean.

Dr. Indar noted that the interconnected nature of modern health threats – which do not respect national borders or sectoral divides – means the region can no longer rely on siloed, fragmented approaches to public health. “By strengthening integrated surveillance systems and embracing the One Health model, we can better protect our Region, improve preparedness, and ensure a more coordinated and effective response to public health emergencies,” he said. “CARPHA remains committed to working closely with Member States, regional partners, and international organisations to advance these priorities and build a more resilient, responsive, and collaborative public health system for the Caribbean.”

For more than three decades, a life-changing volunteer eye care initiative has brought critical vision services to communities across Dominica, and the tradition is set to continue next spring. The Rotary Club of Dominica has officially confirmed that it will welcome the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) international team back to the island for the program’s 31st consecutive mission, scheduled to run from May 11 through May 14, 2026.

According to an official press statement issued by the club, the four-day mission will deploy mobile eye care clinics across multiple geographically dispersed locations across the island. This intentional distribution of service sites is designed to cut down on travel barriers and expand access to high-quality, no-cost optometric care for residents from every corner of Dominica.

The mission’s itinerary kicks off on the opening day, Monday May 11, at Portsmouth Hospital, before the team relocates to the St. Joseph Health Centre for the second day of services on Tuesday May 12. On the third day, Wednesday May 13, the clinic will set up at the Goodwill Parish Hall, where it will prioritize care for residents living between the communities of Grand Bay and Pointe Michel. The team will remain at the Goodwill Parish Hall for the final day of operations on Thursday May 14, shifting focus to serve individuals from communities spanning Mahaut to Newtown.

Organizers have outlined a key pre-requisite for any member of the public seeking care during the mission: all prospective patients must complete a mandatory pre-screening process at their local, nearest health centre before attending the VOSH clinics. Only people who have finished pre-screening and received a assigned queue number will be accepted for examination and care at the pop-up clinics.

The press release explains that this pre-screening system was implemented to streamline operations, keep patient flow organized, and maximize the total number of residents that can be served over the four-day event. To avoid last-minute rushes and ensure eligible residents do not miss out on this rare access to specialized care, the Rotary Club of Dominica is urging all people interested in accessing services to complete their required pre-screening well in advance of the mission’s start date.

As the international community marked World Day of Physical Activity on April 6 and World Health Day on April 7 2026, two Caribbean public health advocates are calling for a return to the region’s deep-rooted cultural tradition of spontaneous, community-centered play as a foundational solution to growing public health crises.

For generations across Caribbean island nations, unstructured physical movement was woven into the very fabric of childhood. Simple, shouted calls—“RUN!”, “HOME!”, “OUT!”—sent generations of children sprinting across sunbaked fields, dodging opponents and chasing victory across open community spaces. Long before “physical activity” became a formal public health term, movement was just part of how children lived: through local games adapted to every island’s unique culture and landscape.

In Barbados, children repurposed city sidewalks into makeshift courts for road tennis, gripping rough wooden paddles to rally back and forth across chalked boundary lines. In Trinidad and Tobago, traditional games like Scotch, Moral and Peesay had children hopping, balancing, and jumping in steady rhythm, while marble matches kept competitors crouched for hours, honing focus and fine motor control. Jamaica’s beloved Dandy Shandy and Stuck and Pull had children running, twisting, and laughing together, filling neighborhood open spaces with squeals of delight. From rounders to chase, every island had its own set of rules, its own shared calls, and its own memories of movement tied to community connection. This spontaneous play was never structured or formal—but it acted as an informal, remarkably effective public health system, building physical strength, coordination, emotional resilience, and tight social bonds across generations.

Today, however, that legacy of natural daily movement has faded. The rise of screen time, packed structured schedules, and the loss of open community play spaces have pushed traditional childhood games out of schoolyards and neighborhoods. What was once an automatic part of growing up has been replaced by a modern narrative that frames physical activity as something that only happens in gyms, structured fitness programs, or competitive performance contexts—erasing the Caribbean’s own cultural foundation of free movement in the process.

This shift is not just a loss of cultural nostalgia; it has created a measurable public health crisis across the region. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease now account for more than 70% of all deaths across the Caribbean, and the region holds one of the world’s highest rates of premature death from NCDs among people aged 30 to 70. Public health researchers point to physical inactivity, alongside unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption, as a key driver of this crisis. Currently, 30 to 40% of all Caribbean adults fail to meet the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum weekly physical activity levels, a trend that traces back to the decline of active play in childhood. The “stillness” that has replaced neighborhood games in childhood follows people into adulthood, creating lifelong health risks that strain regional healthcare systems, which must bear the cost of long-term treatment, medications, and ongoing care for preventable chronic conditions.

As the authors, youth public health advocate Kayla Wright and sports medicine and physiotherapy specialist Offniel Lamont, both advocates with the Healthy Caribbean Youth and Healthy Caribbean Coalition, note, the traditional Caribbean saying “prevention betta dan cure” holds true here—but most current prevention efforts focus only on changing adult behavior, rather than restoring the community and school environments that made daily movement natural for children. Reclaiming this tradition of active play is not just about nostalgia; it is about recognizing that good health is built early in life, through shared, joyful community activity.

Regional policymakers have already laid the groundwork for action. CARICOM member states have enshrined the right to health in national policy frameworks, and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has developed the Six-Point Policy Package, a targeted strategy to combat NCDs and childhood obesity across the region by transforming food and activity environments. Regional initiatives like Caribbean Moves have launched national public campaigns to promote active lifestyles, spurring local programs including Jamaica Moves, Dominica’s Fit for Life Campaign, St. Lucia’s National Physical Activity Day, and Barbados’ Creative Play Initiative. Recent policy moves, such as Jamaica’s proposed sugar-sweetened beverage tax, also signal growing recognition that systemic action to address the root causes of NCDs is critical. The path forward, the authors argue, does not require new policy promises—it requires full implementation of the commitments regional leaders have already made, starting with recognizing safe, accessible, unstructured play as a core public health priority that cannot be overlooked.

On this year’s back-to-back global health observances, the message from the region’s advocates is clear: daily movement is not a privileged lifestyle choice for the wealthy—it is a birthright, and a core part of Caribbean cultural heritage that must be protected. If the region is serious about preventing chronic illness and improving long-term public health, policymakers, schools, and communities must make space once again for the joyful, traditional play that defined generations of Caribbean childhood.