Health in the Caribbean has improved more over the last 50 years than anytime in our history. This is quite spectacular and hopefully, irreversible. With this change in the health profile, chronic non-communicable diseases, obesity, HIV/AIDS and mental health have become the major health concerns of the region.

The role of food and nutrition in the achievement and maintenance of good health has been highly prioritized by the region's governments and policy makers. It is a key component of the Caribbean Cooperation in Health (CCH) Initiative launched by the CARICOM Ministers of Health and more recently by the Heads of Government in the Nassau Declaration.

In this paper we will show the direct, and sometimes indirect, link between nutrition and non-communicable diseases, HIV/AIDS and mental health. The paper also postulates broad strategies to using nutrition in the prevention and control of these conditions. These strategies focus on (1) Policies and programs and (2) Human and Financial Resources.

These strategies will not only improve the quality of life of our people but will also contribute to the financial well-being of the society at large.