ABSTRACT
Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD's) are the major cause of mortality and morbidity in the world as a whole, and in all countries apart from the very poorest (World Health Organization 2008). It is increasingly recognised that public policy has a major role to play in the prevention and control of NCD's, with the UN High Level meeting on NCD's in September 2011, for example, agreeing on the need for population-wide interventions that employ education, legislative, regulatory and fiscal measures. The Caribbean countries share a common history from colonialism, plantation slavery and indentureship towards emancipation and nation-building. Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent in the Caribbean, and higher in women than in men, which may reflect a greater cultural acceptance of obesity in women. The CARICOM has led the way in developing policy responses aimed at the prevention and control of NCD's and was the leading advocate for a UN high-level meeting on NCD's in September 2011.
