Annual Health Research Conference commenced in Saint Lucia, aims to foster health by curbing crime

The 68th Annual Health Research Conference commenced in Saint Lucia on 25th April 2024 and this three-day event has been organized by the CARPHA Caribbean Public Health Agency. The conference will reflect a collective commitment of the Caribbean leaders to address health issues as well as reduce crime and violence, ensuring the well-being of the citizens of the Caribbean nations.

The first day of the conference was attended by several delegates including the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J Pierre, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrence Drew, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency, Dr. Joy St. John, Permanent Secretary, CMO, staff and many more. All the delegates shed light on the benefits of health and the useful steps that could be taken towards the betterment of the facilities and implementations in the healthcare process. 

The conference is conducted annually with the motive of taking measures to prevent disease and promote and protect the health of the citizens of the Caribbeans. This year the event is being celebrated under the theme Violence in the Caribbean “A Public Health Crisis.”

This theme sheds light on the devastating effects of the violence which directly creates a huge impact on the mental and physical health of the individual. Therefore, the conference was conducted to bring several health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the Caribbean region together to discuss the latest trends and developments in public health. 

The attendees of the conference participated in the workshops and panel discussions which focused on bringing new innovations, benefitting the health sector as a whole of the Caribbean nation. 

Several topics were discussed on the first day of the conference which included non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, illnesses related to Nutrition, Violence which can lead to injury/trauma, mental health and many more. 

All these topics discussed, are aimed at taking and implementing such initiatives which can play a crucial role in fostering the health of the citizens of the Caribbean nations. This conference will hold significant discussions in the next two days of the conference as well. 

It will play a key role in filling major gaps in understanding both the drivers of crime and violence, as well as public health impacts at an individual level.