Health inequalities in the Caribbean: increasing opportunities and resources

Social inequalities in health are not a priority in the Caribbean region. However, a few studies suggested such disparities and indicators show important socioeconomic disparities between and within countries. There are indications that governments’ investment in health and other social programs is insufficient in the region and that regional health institutions that guide national health policies and programs do not make the reduction of social inequalities a priority. Furthermore, the public health sector is generally weak and health services are mainly focusing on curative services. The author argues that there is a need to develop and to implement social policies that include equity and social justice as core values. In order to increase the focus on health inequalities in the region, there is also a need to strengthen the Public Health field that integrates Health Promotion strategies. It is also suggested that international, regional and national health sectors that include academic and research institutions, health-related journals and associations, and non-governmental organizations put health inequalities in the Caribbean on their agenda. Furthermore, there should be a fundamental switch from a biomedical perspective of health to a paradigm that considers health as the expression of political, social and economic circumstances. (Global Health Promotion, 2010; 17 (1): pp. 73—76)