NON-COMMUNICABLE diseases (NCDs) pose a major public health challenge in Jamaica, accounting for nearly 70per cent of all deaths. The rising burden of these diseases demands urgent action beyond mere acknowledgement — it requires effective management strategies.

NCDs significantly strain Jamaica’s economy and households. From 2015 to 2030, they are projected to cost the country US$18.45 billion—about US$6,306 per capita. In 2001, hypertension alone cost $12.26 billion (US$266 million), with medications and diagnostic services making up 70 per cent of that. In 2024, the National Health Fund spent $9.4 billion on NCD medications alone, highlighting the growing financial burden.

Despite heavy spending on treatment, the deeper issue remains unaddressed: prevention. Research shows that individuals with NCDs spend a third of their household income on healthcare. Nationally, out-of-pocket health expenses amount to $33.8 billion (US$452 million), or 3.08 per cent of gross domestic product. NCDs also drive hospital admissions, leading to overcrowding, bed shortages, and extended wait times. Limited resources like intensive care unit beds and dialysis machines create dire situations where many suffer unnecessarily.

Lifestyle choices & public health reform

Physical inactivity is a key yet neglected risk factor. Alarmingly, 24 per cent of Jamaican men and 46 per cent of women report low physical activity levels, increasing their vulnerability to heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Equally troubling is the shift in Jamaican diets. Once rich in fresh produce, lean proteins, and whole foods, the national diet now features excessively processed, sugar-laden, and sodium-heavy foods. This change has contributed to high obesity rates—36.9 per cent among women and 18.1 per cent among men. The rising consumption of fast food and sugary beverages, particularly among children, is setting the stage for a public health crisis where chronic illnesses emerge early in life.

The Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Surveys (JLHS I-III) reveal stagnant health indicators from 2000 to 2016. Plans like the National Strategic and Action Plan for NCD Prevention and Control (2013-2018) have failed to produce lasting improvements. The proposed Primary Healthcare Reform presents an opportunity for change, but public engagement is lacking. Where are the consultations, town halls, and discussions that allow citizens to help shape policies that affect their lives? Reform without public input risks being another top-down initiative that overlooks the root causes of the NCD crisis.

Time for action

Jamaica has had countless policy discussions with little implementation. To reduce premature deaths and improve public health, we must move beyond rhetoric to evidence-based interventions. Key policies such as Front-of-Package Warning Labels, the National School Nutrition Policy, and strict regulations on sugar, sodium, and trans fats must be prioritised.

Additionally, investment in green spaces and public awareness campaigns is crucial. These initiatives should include structured toolkits and the engagement of trained healthcare professionals to drive meaningful behavioural change.

Public health reform should not be a mere checkbox exercise. It must be patient-centred and interdisciplinary, leveraging expertise across healthcare fields to enhance care quality and improve health outcomes. If we continue on our current path—reacting instead of preventing—we will pay a devastating price in both financial costs and human lives. The time for decisive action is now.

Offniel Lamont is a public health advocate and registered physiotherapist, with a MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise & Health.