Come October 16, a wide spectrum of partners from throughout Caricom will come together in Barbados to plan civil society’s response to the chronic diseases epidemic in the region.

trevor hassell

According to a PRMR press release, the Caricom Heads of Government had expressed full confidence that the burdens of these diseases could be reduced by “comprehensive and integrated preventative and control strategies.” Professor Trevor Hassell, conference coordinator said leading experts from the Caribbean and internationally will help participants understand the magnitude of the problem and identify what the evidence shows to be the most effective methods to slow and reduce the epidemic.

“All people, organizations and communities throughout the region need to act now,” Prof. Hassell commented, “to slow the epidemic of chronic diseases by taking the well known steps of getting regular physical activity, not smoking, eating healthily and maintaining average body weight, and controlling diabetes and hypertension  for those who suffer from these conditions.”

The release further stated that Prime Minister of Barbados, David Thompson, will give the feature address at the opening of the conference on October 16.

The conference will conclude on October 18, with the presentation of awards in the fifth Inter-American Heart Foundation Journalism Contest on Tobacco Control. Journalists in the region, who produced outstanding stories on tobacco avoidance issues, will be awarded.