More than one heart attack a day. That’s the number of cardiac episodes recorded in Barbados in 2021.
This translated to 467 heart attacks that year, over half of which were fatal. Additionally, 691 strokes were recorded in 2021, and 150 of those persons died.
These figures were shared by Minister of Heath and Wellness, Senator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, who delivered the feature address at the launch of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados’ mass media campaign “The Right to Information – Give Us Warning Labels” this morning, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael.
It advocates the need for front of package warning labels (FOPWL) on food items, showing the salt, fat, and sugar content, so consumers can make informed decisions when shopping.
Minister Walcott told those attending the launch that Barbados bears one of the highest burdens of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) per capita, with obesity and its associated risk factors being major contributors. He added that today’s launch was a call to action that “we cannot afford to ignore”.
“The Heart and Stroke Foundation recently utilised CADRES to conduct … an opinion poll, and it revealed that an overwhelming 75 per cent of Barbadians are in favour of the Government adopting the initiative of front of package warning labelling. This apparent endorsement by the public underscores the urgency of our mission….
“Research done by The University of the West Indies, in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has revealed that easily understood front of package warning labels could potentially reduce NCD-related deaths in Barbados by as much as 16 per cent, which translate into tremendous reductions in pain and suffering and result in cost savings, as it relates to the treatment of NCDs,” the Health Minister stated.
“Research done by The University of the West Indies, in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has revealed that easily understood front of package warning labels could potentially reduce NCD-related deaths in Barbados by as much as 16 per cent, which translate into tremendous reductions in pain and suffering and result in cost savings, as it relates to the treatment of NCDs.”
Minister of Heath and Wellness, Senator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott
He further noted that the study, a preventable risks integrated model, which focused on front of package labelling, was the first of its kind in the Caribbean and would also be conducted in other islands.
Minister Walcott said the findings show that apart from the reduction by 16 per cent in the NCD deaths, the introduction of the octagonal front of package warning labelling system has the potential to shape consumer choices.
Furthermore, he explained the research highlighted that the average salt, fat, and added sugar intake would be decreased in both men and women in Barbados, if this was introduced. In men, specifically, salt intake would be reduced by over 34 per cent, fat intake by over 24 per cent, and added sugar intake by 13 per cent.
And, in women, salt intake would also be reduced by over 34 per cent, fat intake would be reduced by slightly more than in men, and added sugar intake by over 16 per cent with the introduction of octagonal front of package warning labels.
Minister Walcott said that the call for FOPWL has been met with some resistance by industry stakeholders in the private sector, with them citing concerns such as the cost of labelling and the timeliness of the implementation.
He stated that while these could be considered valid considerations, they must be weighed against the “immeasurable” value of safeguarding the health of citizens.
“We must stand firm in our conviction that the health and well being of our nation must take precedence. Industries proposed alternatives such as self regulation, and personal responsibility have been shown to be inadequate in promoting consumer health knowledge. The front of package warning labels, particularly the high-end system being proposed, have been demonstrated to be more effective than other informational labels, both regionally and internationally.
“We have an obligation to implement measures that are rooted in empirical evidence and proven efficacy. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has been an active participant in the Barbados National Standards Institution’s national mirror committee process and has been represented on the regional costing committee.
“Our engagement has extended to stakeholder consultations, policy consultancy, and knowledge sharing through seminars and webinars. We have consistently voted in support of the PAHO front of package warning labelling system, underscoring our unwavering commitment to this cause,” Minister Walcott emphasised.