Small island developing states (SIDS) on Thursday launched the 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health, which will keep them accountable to act on reducing premature deaths from NCDs.
The Declaration is a key outcome of the SIDS Ministerial Conference on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health, held from June 14 to 16, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. It is co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Government of Barbados.
The document outlines bold steps to address the range of social, environmental, economic, and commercial issues that lead to NCDs and mental health conditions. Developed through an inclusive process led ‘for’ and ‘by’ SIDS, the declaration highlights that NCDs and mental health conditions cannot be properly addressed without responding to the climate crisis.
SIDS are disproportionately impacted by NCDs, which cause 74 per cent of all deaths globally due to their reliance on imported food, commercial influences and the climate crisis. A new WHO report shows that eight of the 15 countries with more than a 30 per cent risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease are SIDS. The 10 countries with the highest obesity rates globally are all SIDS in the Pacific, where over 45 per cent of adults live with obesity.
Additionally, mental health conditions are common in SIDS countries, affecting an estimated 15.2 per cent of the population in the Caribbean, and 11.2 per cent of the population in the Pacific. People with mental health conditions face a higher risk of premature mortality, including from unaddressed physical health conditions and from suicide. Stigma, specialised staff shortages, and the impact of climate change contribute to a challenging situation in SIDS that requires immediate attention.
As part of agreeing to the Declaration, SIDS signed up to undertake a suite of actions, covering areas such as engaging all of society, accelerating implementation, securing investments, aligning across governments, and accounting for progress.
The conference also showcased specific commitments by SIDS on NCDs and mental health, including to improve access to mental health care in primary care facilities, update tobacco control legislation to cover e-cigarettes and vaping, and reduce populations’ salt and sugar intake.
“Bold action for our climate, good health, and well-being rely on redressing and reorganising global financing to unlock billions in investment, while making it less punishing for developing countries to pay their debts,” said Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley. “Funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the most vulnerable countries is also key, with non-communicable diseases and mental health accounted for.”
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasised that the challenges faced by small island developing states were interconnected and multifaceted.
“Climate change, environmental degradation, social and economic inequalities, and the commercial determinants of health exacerbate the burden of NCDs and mental health conditions.
“Despite their limited resources and geographical constraints, these nations have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Together, we must forge a path that is based on equity, resilience, and sustainability. We must strengthen health systems, enhance prevention and early detection measures, and prioritise the integration of NCD and mental health services into primary health care,” Dr. Ghebreyesus stated.
The Director-General also pledged that WHO would work to mobilise financial resources to develop climate resilient, environmentally sustainable health-care facilities in the SIDS. WHO will also continue to advocate for ‘loss and damage’ funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation investments in lower income countries.
PAHO Director, and WHO Regional Director for the Americas, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, pointed out that SIDS in the Americas remained overwhelmingly vulnerable to NCDs.
“This Ministerial Conference comes at a unique time and will be key to amplifying the voice and needs of SIDS, bringing NCDs and mental health to the forefront of our priority list,” he said.
“To build on this momentum, we must act now. PAHO is ready to support accelerated implementation of interventions in our region, including mainstreaming care for these conditions into primary health services and taking advantage of innovations such as digital health tools,” Dr. Barbosa added.
The conference and the Declaration will inform and shape forthcoming UN General Assembly High-level Meetings on universal health coverage in September 2023, and on NCDs in 2025.