Kingston, Jamaica, 27 November 2024 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has commended the Ministry of Health and Wellness of the Cayman Islands for its successful implementation of the 2023 WHO STEPwise approach to Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) risk factor surveillance (STEPS).
This important survey collects critical data on NCDs and their risk factors, with the aim of informing national health policies and tracking long-term trends. It plays a significant role in the region's progress toward achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of NCD prevention and management.
The survey examines a range of behavioral and physiological risk factors related to NCDs. Behavioral risk factors include tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and overweight and obesity. Physiological risk factors encompass raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, and abnormal blood lipids.
The findings emphasize critical issues related to hypertension, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. More than one-third of individuals with raised blood pressure remain undiagnosed. Among those who are diagnosed, only 27% are receiving effective medication to manage their condition. In the Region of the Americas, over one-third of men and a quarter of women aged 30 to 79 years with hypertension are unaware they have the condition. Among those diagnosed, only 36% have their hypertension adequately controlled through treatment.
This highlights the urgent need for improved hypertension screening, management, and public awareness. Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for approximately 38% of all deaths attributable to NCDs.
The WHO’s call for standardized hypertension management protocols is key to improving detection and control of hypertension. These protocols focus on systematic screening, patient engagement, team-based care models, ensuring access to essential medications, and ongoing education for both healthcare providers and patients.
These efforts are largely supported by the HEARTS in the Americas initiative, which is a comprehensive regional effort to implement standardized hypertension care across countries. Commitment to these health interventions is crucial for reversing current trends and improving public health for future generations.
A full report on the findings of the 2023 STEPS National Health Survey will be available on December 1, 2024, and can be accessed via the Cayman Islands Government website (www.gov.ky/steps).
For more information on the HEARTS in the Americas initiative, which is aimed at improving hypertension care across the region, visit HEARTS in the Americas - PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization.
