Saint Lucia Calls for Healthier Living to Address Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

This year, Caribbean Wellness Day is being observed on Saturday September 13th, under the theme, "Engage, Empower, Elevate” and the subtheme "Working together to improve health and well-being for all.” This theme was developed to underscore the necessity for collaboration and inter-sectoral approaches in helping to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improve the management of these diseases in our region. In Saint Lucia, NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, continue to contribute to at least 80% of the total deaths every year. The direct and indirect demands and costs associated with these diseases and their risk factors pose a significant burden on the health care systems. This Caribbean Wellness Day 2025, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs calls on other government agencies such as Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Commerce, non-governmental agencies including restaurant owners and school canteens, communities, families and individuals to join this shared commitment to healthier living and reducing the burden of NCDs in Saint Lucia.