With diabetes rates climbing steadily in Saint Lucia, health officials are urging a national wake-up call.
Dr Kedhma Dorh, president of the Saint Lucia Diabetes and Hypertension Association (SLDHA), warns that the condition remains a significant and growing concern.
“The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that about 11.4 per cent of Saint Lucian adults live with diabetes,” he told St. Lucia Times, noting a sharp rise from 8.4 per cent in 2011. “Essentially, we seem to have an increasing trend of new cases.”
Though real-time data is lacking, Dr Dorh pointed to rising risk factors, especially childhood obesity, as clear indicators.
“Our children are bigger younger,” he said.
The 2020 national STEPS survey also revealed that between 15 and 16 per cent of adults had elevated blood sugar, whether from pre-diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes.
As World Diabetes Day 2025 approaches on November 14, the SLDHA is amplifying its message under this year’s global theme, Diabetes and Well-Being, with a local focus on Diabetes and the Workplace. The association is urging employers and employees alike to prioritise health and wellness at work, recognising that lifestyle habits formed on the job play a major role in both prevention and management.
Type 2 diabetes remains the most common form, driven by diet, physical inactivity and obesity.
Dr Dorh emphasised the importance of early detection and regular screening, warning that many people remain undiagnosed until complications arise.
“Early detection saves lives,” he said. “Testing allows for early lifestyle changes and treatment to prevent complications.”
Screening services are available through community health centres and outreach programmes, though Dr Dorh acknowledged that “rural areas still face access gaps”. To help close this gap, the association has been conducting mobile and workplace screenings.
He also encouraged Saint Lucians to view self-awareness of lifestyle habits as a form of prevention.
“Let us think of early testing as early detection of risk factors such as alcohol use, smoking, obesity and regular consumption of unbalanced meals,” he said.
Dr Dorh outlined early warning signs of pre-diabetes, urging the public to watch for symptoms such as unusual thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds and dark patches on the skin.
“If you have risk factors – family history, overweight, hypertension, or a history of gestational diabetes – get tested regularly,” he advised.
The Government of Saint Lucia continues to strengthen chronic disease prevention with support from partners such as the World Bank, CARPHA and PAHO/WHO. Complementing these efforts, the SLDHA conducts free educational sessions in schools, workplaces, and communities; provides foot-care services for people living with diabetes; and collaborates with corporate partners to promote healthier work environments.
The association also advocates regionally for stronger nutrition policies, including front-of-package octagonal warning labels on processed foods.
Dr Dorh shared key steps for reducing risk: “Maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle (150 min/week of moderate activity). Eat balanced meals – more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Limit sugar-sweetened drinks and processed foods. Avoid smoking and excess alcohol. Manage blood pressure and cholesterol.”
He reminded the public that help is within reach through “community clinics for glucose testing and follow-up care” and the association’s own programmes, which are “free upon request”.
This year, the SLDHA is taking its message of well-being directly into workplaces across the island. “We encourage all employers and employees to promote health and wellness at work by offering screenings, creating healthy meal options, encouraging physical activity, and reducing stress,” Dr Dorh said.
To reinforce this initiative, the association has added a new event to its annual calendar: the Diabetes Awareness 5K Walk-Run, scheduled for Sunday, November 16, the first Sunday after World Diabetes Day.
The event will take place in both the north and south of the island, with corporate teams encouraged to participate.
“We look forward to corporate Saint Lucia coming out in their teams to set their mark as being serious about wellness in the workplace,” Dr Dorh said.
The association advised that when creating healthy spaces for employees, “we protect our people and strengthen our nation. A well employee is a productive employee.”
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.
Glucose is your body’s main source of energy. It can be made by your body but also comes from the food a person eats.
Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into the body’s cells to be used for energy. People diagnosed with diabetes do not produce enough insulin, or their body doesn’t use insulin properly. Glucose then stays in the blood and doesn’t reach your cells.
As glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels, an excess can, over time, damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and more.
Types of diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes: The body makes little or no insulin and the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Often diagnosed in children or young adults.
- Type 2 diabetes: The most common type where cells in the body don’t use insulin properly or may not make enough insulin to keep the blood glucose level within normal range. Type 2 is often linked to lifestyle and genetics.
- Gestational diabetes: Develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after birth, but can raise future risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Prediabetes: Blood sugar is elevated but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
