Geographical Locations - St Lucia

• (Statistical) Number of Inhabitants per Doctor: 2,521
• CIA - World Factbook: Saint Lucia

Organisations and Networks

UN and Multinational

• WHO
  -WHO Country Profile - Saint Lucia
  - PAHO - Pan American Health organisation / Organización Panamericana de la Salud
  - Regional Office for the Americas / Pan American Health Organization (AMRO / PAHO) in Washington, D.C. (USA)
  - WHO - Tobacco control: Country Profile - Saint Lucia
  - WHO - Environmental Burden of Disease: Country Profile – Saint Lucia

Government

Non-Government

Academic Institutions

National Policy and Related Documents

• Health Sector Reform Proposals
  "This paper articulates a philosophy and vision for health, human services, family affairs and gender relations. It outlines and expands on major policy and strategy to position the services to develop in the most sustainable and effective manner. Where it gives more detail, as in the area of organisation of the services, it does so to ensure that the necessary framework will be put in place… The paper is organised in two main parts. The first documents the philosophy and vision of the proposed health system. An analysis of the existing system and the reform follows and then there is a section outlining the public’s perception of the existing health services. The second part is divided into six numbered sections. These sections detail the policies and strategies for the way forward and are headed as follows: 1. Organisation of the Services; 2. Environmental and Other Public Health Services; 3. Financing the System; 4. Quality Assurance; 5. Regional, Inter-Ministerial and Intersectoral collaboration; [and] 6. Implementation Plan." [Ministry of Health, Human Services, Family Affairs and Gender Relations, 2000]
• National Influenza Plan – Volume 7: Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and Security
  "If a pandemic influenza outbreak occurs in Saint Lucia, it is essential that governmental entities at all levels continue to provide essential public safety services and maintain public order. It is critical that all stakeholders in law enforcement and public safety agencies, whose primary responsibility this is, be fully prepared to support public health efforts and to address the additional challenges they may face during such an outbreak. Law Enforcement Officials should be prepared to assist in a lawful and appropriate manner, and all involved should be familiar with the established protocols for seeking such assistance and have validated plans to provide that assistance." [Government of Saint Lucia – Based on the US Influenza Pandemic Strategy Chapter 8 Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and Security (Rev.: November 24, 2006 and May 10, 2007)]
• Saint Lucia: National Climate Change Policy and Adaptation Plan
  "St. Lucia has an open, developing economy which is heavily dependent on tourism and agriculture. This reality, combined with: (a) geographic location within the hurricane belt; (b) small size; (c) location of major settlements and infrastructure in low-lying coastal areas prone to flooding and storm damage; and limited human and financial resources; serves to make St. Lucia highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change… Scientific research has indicated that these impacts are likely to include, among others: (i) The flooding and submergence of coral reefs, wetlands and coastal lowlands due to sea level rise; (ii) Loss of marine and terrestrial biodiversity as a result of changes of temperature and rainfall;·(iii) The depletion of water supplies;·(iv) Reduced agricultural productivity;·(v) An increase in the occurrence of pests and vectors, contagious diseases and stress-related diseases; [and] (vi) Increased coastal erosion and infrastructure damage as a result of the increased intensity of cyclonic events and storm surges." [Ministry of Physical Development Environment and Housing, 2003]

Reports, Guidelines, and Projects

• A study of child vulnerability in Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines
  "The Child Vulnerability Study was conducted during 2005 by the Governments of Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines with technical and financial assistance from UNICEF. Its aim was to enable the three countries to fulfil their obligations to children in terms of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other international and regional instruments. The Governments agreed that the study should be carried out concurrently in the three countries to allow valid comparisons… The study was designed to find out: (i) what constitutes child vulnerability in the participating countries? (ii) how many children fit this definition? (iii) what is their demographic profile? (iv) what are their physical and psychological needs? (v) what are the barriers to satisfying their needs and protecting their rights? and (vi) what measures are needed to overcome these barriers?... It is intended to serve as: (a) a planning tool to reassess national policy and develop national plans of action for vulnerable children; (b) a communications tool to build awareness, advocate for action and mobilize human and financial resources; and (c) a baseline study against which the impact of any interventions can be assessed." [UNICEF Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, in association with the Governments of Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines, 2006]
• Health in the Americas 2007: Saint Lucia
  As a health agency, the Pan American Health Organization’s core discipline is epidemiology, which enables the measurement, definition, and comparison of health problems and conditions and their distribution from the perspectives of population, geography, and time. This publication on Saint Lucia addresses the issue of health as a human right, taking into account both the individual and community contexts, and examines various critical determinants of health, including those of a biological, social, cultural, economic, and political nature. That examination reveals the existence of gaps, disparities, and inequities that persist in Saint Lucia, especially those related to access to basic services, health, nutrition, housing, and adequate living conditions as well as to the lack of opportunities for human development—all of which contribute to the greater vulnerability to diseases and health risks of some population groups. [Adapted from the preface of Health in the Americas 2007]
• Health Systems Profile: Saint Lucia – Monitoring and analizing health systems change/reform, 2008
  "Saint Lucia is in stage of epidemiological transition, characterized by a decline in infectious diseases and an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases. The Ministry of Health is the principal provider and financier of public health. The Ministry has the constitutional responsibility for regulation of the health sector and its policies are guided by five legal instruments: The Public Health Act (1975), the Mental Act (1957), the Hospital Ordinance Act (1992), the Nurses and Midwives Act, the Family Practitioners Act (1993), and the Pharmacy Act (2000). Health care is funded from the government’s consolidated fund, donor contributions, out-of-pocket payments, and private insurance schemes… Saint Lucia is one of the many countries in the Caribbean region currently involved in a health sector reform process. The areas of primary focus are: decentralization of management and functions; integration of different levels of care; quality assurance; and strengthening of monitoring and accountability mechanisms. Data on morbidity, mortality, and the social determinants of health are collected and analyzed to facilitate evidence-based decisions and plans. Incrementally, the reform process has introduced substantial changes into different entities of the health care delivery system to increase equity, efficiency, and effectiveness. The National Strategic Plan for Health 2006-2011 is the blueprint for the reform process and the primary health care orientation is the framework for organizing the health system. The Millennium Development Goals and the Essential Public Health Functions provide a context and timeline to benchmark progress and re-evaluate development strategies." [Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, 2010]
• HIV-related knowledge and condom use by taxi drivers in Southern St. Lucia, West Indies
  Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is increasingly becoming a major public health issue in the Caribbean. Despite the threat posed by the rapid spread of the virus, many subgroups of the populations continue to engage in risky sexual behaviours. HIV among the taxi drivers is a concern because these men belong to an occupational group whose lifestyle while on duty have made them to be identified as highly susceptible. This study was done among male taxi drivers that operate at a major airport in St. Lucia. Out of 80 questionnaires distributed, 60 were filled showing a response rate of 75%. The knowledge of HIV/AIDS was high among the drivers (78.3%). However, misconceptions still exist among them. Less than half of the respondents use condom consistently. Constraints to the affordability and availability of condoms were identified. Religious belief was identified as a possible factor in non-usage of condom. Steps need to be taken to educate this occupational group in order to modify their sexual behaviours. It is suggested that government should endeavour to make condoms more affordable and accessible to this subgroup of the population. [author abstract] [Scientific Research and Essays Vol. 5 (3), pp. 304-308, 4 February, 2010]
• Overweight and Obesity in Five-Year-Old Children in Saint Lucia
  Overweight and obesity are global health problems affecting both developed and developing nations. In Saint Lucia, as early as 1994, the average adult was either overweight or obese. Since parental obesity is a major risk factor for child obesity, and obese children are at risk for obesity and its co-morbidities into adulthood, it is important to determine the extent of the problem in young children. This study examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity in five-year-old children in Saint Lucia who participated in the country-wide Prior to School Entry Five Year Assessment in 2006. The WHO classification method for underweight, overweight and obesity was used. The results indicated that the rates of overweight and obesity were high: 14.4 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively. In contrast, the percentage of underweight was low at 3.5 percent. When compared to de Onis and Blössner’s report of a rate of 2.5% in 1976, these results indicated that the prevalence of obesity in preschool-aged children had nearly quadrupled over the past 30 years. Furthermore, the rate of obesity has now exceeded underweight as a major child health problem. Clearly, preventive measures must be in place before the age of school entry if the problem is to be addressed effectively. Growth monitoring of children of all ages is needed in order to estimate the magnitude of the problem, to track trends, and for the evaluation of prevention and intervention measures. [publication summary] [Community Child Health Service, Ministry of Health, Saint Lucia and the Centre of Excellence for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, Spring 2009]
• Saint Lucia – Macro socio-economic assessment of the damage and losses caused by Hurricane Dean
  "This report was prepared on the request of the Government of Saint Lucia following the passage of Hurricane Dean on 16 and 17 August 2007. The implications of the impact of Hurricane Dean posed a need, apart from the immediate humanitarian response, for a rapid assessment of the social and economic impact. The assessment was carried out by using the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) disaster assessment methodology. A limited sustainable livelihood approach explored the vulnerability context of the affected groups and is situated within the wider macroeconomic framework of the country. This assessment will complement and expand on the emergency and humanitarian needs identified previously by the Government of Saint Lucia. The result of such an assessment provides a quantitative approximation of the overall damage to the economy and its impact on the affected population." [Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). October 2007]
• United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) Country Progress Report: Saint Lucia – Reporting period: January 2006-December 2007
  "HIV/AIDS in Saint Lucia falls within the category of concentrated, low prevalence epidemics. During the late 1980s and early 1990s the disease was characterized by relatively low levels of infection among STI patients and little, if any infection among pregnant women and blood donors. The AIDS Epidemic Update 2006 reported an average adult HIV seroprevalence of 1.2% (range 0.9%–1.7%) in the Caribbean region. That report stated that as the epidemics in the region evolve, more women are being infected and the number of new infections among women now outstrips that among men Currently while HIV infection continues to be characterised as being transmitted largely through heterosexual intercourse, in the Saint Lucian context this broadly includes: (i) transactional sex where no cash is exchanged but gifts are given and support supplied, (ii) sex for drugs (crack cocaine) transactions and (iii) more traditional sex work (exchanges for cash) either by primarily foreign women working in brothels and dance halls or largely locals working areas frequented by tourists. In addition there is a hidden but believed to be substantial population of men having sex with men exclusively (MSM) and bi-sexual men who have sex with both sexes. Male bisexuality has created a bridge for the virus to migrate between the sexes. Since female sex work, male on male sexual contact and crack use are heavily stigmatised and for the most part illegal1 this significant but neglected aspect of the epidemic remains largely unstudied." [UNAIDS, January 2008]

Educational Resources

• Association of Caribbean States, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
• CDC - Travel Information : Caribbean
• Library of Congress, Country Study: Caribbean Islands