Annual Report 2021. Jamaica, Bermuda, and Cayman Islands: Responding to COVID-19 and Preparing for the Future

This Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Annual Report outlines contributions and achievements in Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands in the year 2021. The report also reinforces PAHO/WHO's core mission, through focus on the country level, recognizing that progress toward sustainable development hinges on improved health at the local and national levels. In 2021, PAHO/WHO supported Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands on their path toward disaster risk reduction as well as the ongoing implementation of Phase II of the Smart Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project. This project, which aims to enhance the resilience of health facilities to ensure continuity of service delivery before, during and after hazards, such as hurricanes, has led to the upgrade of nine facilities so far. Working toward the upcoming restructuring of the Jamaican Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) and Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and health care reform in Jamaica, the country signed a technical cooperation agreement with PAHO to provide a national voluntary contribution, with projects developed to strengthen public financial management and results-based management, as well as a strategic plan for health information systems and a concept note for policy on health research. PAHO supported Jamaica’s efforts as the pandemic impact underscored the need to include mental health in emergency and disaster management, as well as activities that contributed to achieving milestones in tobacco control and road safety. Furthermore, PAHO assisted with initiatives to tackle the high prevalence of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in the population and promote better nutrition, such as the National Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy and Strategic Plan and front-of-package labelling.

Obesity, Hypovitaminosis D, and COVID-19: the Bermuda Triangle in Public Health.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged public health to a significant extent by markedly increasing morbidity and mortality. Evidence suggests that obesity and hypovitaminosis D constitute important risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection, severity of disease, and poor outcomes. Due to their high prevalence globally, obesity and hypovitaminosis D are considered pandemics. This review presents current epidemiologic and genetic data linking obesity, hypovitaminosis D, and COVID-19, highlighting the importance of the convergence of three pandemics and their impact on public health. We also briefly summarize potential mechanisms that could explain these links. RECENT FINDINGS: Epidemiologic data have shown that obesity is an independent risk factor for COVID-19, severe disease and death, and genetic evidence has suggested a causal association between obesity-related traits and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Additionally, obesity is independently associated with hypovitaminosis D, which is highly prevalent in subjects with obesity. Hypovitaminosis D is independently associated with a higher risk for COVID-19, severity, hospitalization, infectious complications, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and poor outcomes. However, genome-wide association studies have not revealed any causal association between vitamin D levels and the risk for COVID-19, while there is no robust evidence for a beneficial role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiologic impact of obesity and hypovitaminosis D is emphasized. Efforts to increase public awareness and reinforce preventive and therapeutic measures against obesity and hypovitaminosis D are strongly required.

Annual Report 2020. Universal Health and the Pandemic. Resilient Health Systems. Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands

Founded in 1902 as the independent specialized health agency of the inter-American system, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has developed recognized competence and expertise, providing technical cooperation to its Member States to fight communicable and noncommunicable diseases and their causes, to strengthen health systems, and to respond to emergencies and disasters throughout the Region of the Americas. In addition, acting in its capacity as the World Health Organization’s Regional Office, PAHO participates actively in the United Nations Country Team, collaborating with other agencies, the funds and programs of the United Nations system to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at country level. This 2020 annual report reflects PAHO’s technical cooperation in the country for the period, implementing the Country Cooperation Strategy, responding to the needs and priorities of the country, and operating within the framework of the Organization’s regional and global mandates and the SDGs. Under the overarching theme of Universal Health and the Pandemic – Resilient Health Systems, it highlights PAHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its continuing efforts in priority areas such as communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, mental health, health throughout the life course, and health emergencies. It also provides a financial summary for the year under review.