Government has termed the rate of non-communicable diseases in Barbados a public health crisis, describing the situation as alarming and warning that the economic costs are significant.

The situation has been outlined by Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, addressing a national forum for non-governmental organizations on NCDs.

He stressed the importance of the forum noting that the vast majority of deaths in Barbados are the result of NCDs such as diabetes and cancer.

Mr. Ishmael identified unhealthy diets, including high salt and sugar consumption, excessive alcohol drinking, smoking, and obesity as key risk factors within the Barbados population.

He highlighted the huge economic costs.

He stressed the importance of the school nutrition policy in trying to reverse the trend and disclosed that September is National Wellness Month.