BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Caribbean countries need to urgently address the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that account for more than 75 per cent of all deaths in the region.

Health experts from the World Bank and regional stakeholders say such losses are having devastating economic consequences, including productivity losses and unsustainable healthcare costs.

In countries like Barbados and Jamaica, NCDs accounts for losses estimated at 5.34 per cent and 5.87 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), respectively. Jamaica alone has seen J$17.2 billion in lost economic output over 15 years.

The experts warn that without targeted interventions, the region faces rising premature deaths, noting that 40 per cent of NCD-related deaths occur before age 70, and escalating healthcare expenditures.

“The 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” said Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank’s country director for the Caribbean.

The discussion by the experts shed light on critical gaps in NCD policies with Caribbean nations implementing less than 40 per cent 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 World Health Organization (WHO) recommended 75 per cent tax share on tobacco.

The World Bank’s senior economist, Dr Edit Veleny said that investments in NCD prevention yield high returns. In Jamaica, for everyone dollar spent on NCD prevention, J$2.1 is gained in healthcare savings and productivity, with potential GDP savings of 4.3 per cent and 5,700 lives saved over 15 years.

The experts have since recommended the strengthening primary healthcare systems to reduce NCD mortality, promoting multisectoral collaboration across key sectors such as health, education, finance and trade, agriculture, and urban development sectors to ensure a life-course approach to NCD prevention.

In addition they say implementing “best buy” interventions like increasing taxes on unhealthy products, enforcing advertising restrictions and educating communities about healthy lifestyles.

Recognising the unique challenges of tackling NCDs in the region such as limited healthcare resources and geographic isolation, the experts highlighted the critical role of innovative solutions in addressing these issues effectively. Innovations in technology, policy and community-based approaches were emphasised as essential tools for overcoming these barriers.

They also stressed that tackling the NCD challenge will require coordinated and collaborative efforts with partners and civil society organisations, not only at the national level but also across the entire region.

The World Bank said it is working with the Caribbean governments to help countries address these challenges by focusing on areas such as improving health financing, enhancing health management information systems, strengthening care for non-communicable diseases and boosting hospital sector performance.

It said through these efforts, the bank is supporting countries in their journey toward achieving universal health coverage and building resilient, efficient health systems tailored to the region’s needs.