Biannual Meeting of the CARMEN Network

(Santiago, Chile, 19–21 October 2005)

Meeting Report
(59 pages, PDF, 412 Kb)
The titles of the five sessions are listed to right under technical theme, with a series of presentations summarized in the report. Most sections contain Country Experiences, Discussion and Conclusions.

- About CARMEN

- PAHO Noncommunicable Disease Unit
- WHO Department of Chronic Disease and Health Promotion (CHP)

Chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs) are the leading cause of death in the world. In 2002, 29 million deaths were attributable to chronic disease ; estimates for 2005 indicate that chronic disease will account for 35 million of the 58 million deaths worldwide . Chronic noncommunicable diseases include cardiovascular disease (30% of projected total worldwide deaths in 2005), cancer (13%), chronic respiratory diseases (7%), and diabetes (2%) . These diseases do not just burden rich nations. Four out of five CNCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, thus presenting a major public-health challenge.

From 19–21 October 2005, over 60 representatives from more than 20 countries met in Santiago de Chile for the biannual strategic meeting of the CARMEN network. In light of the projected increase of deaths due to chronic disease (a 17% increase), the objectives of the meeting were as follows:

1. Present the Disease prevention and control/noncommunicable diseases (DPC/NC) unit at PAHO-WDC and its areas of technical cooperation.
2. Review developments in CNCD prevention and control in CARMEN member countries.
3. Discuss the future of the CARMEN network.

The meeting was comprised of five sessions, each with a distinct technical theme:

• First session: Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health
• Second session: Policies: Specific Issues
• Third session: Surveillance of CNCDs—An Essential Component
• Fourth session: Sustainable Development and Management of Risk Factors and Chronic Disease
• Fifth session: Capacity-Building on CNCD Prevention and Control

In addition, this occasion was used to present the recently-released WHO report Preventing Chronic Diseases: A Vital Investment. Discussions followed each session and conclusions were presented at the close of the meeting.

The major risk factors for chronic disease—unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and tobacco use—are modifiable. The World Health Organization predicts that if these risk factors were eliminated, at least 80% of all heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes would be prevented and over 40% of cancer would be prevented. However, data shows that the prevalence of these risk factors is increasing, even among children. For example, current estimates show that over 1.5 people worldwide will be overweight by 2015 if current trends continue; and currently about 22 million children aged under 5 years are overweight.

Over the past 10 years, the CARMEN network has worked to reduce the prevalence of risk factors associated with CNCDs. CARMEN (Integrated Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases in the Americas) was born in 1996 as a response to the growing burden of CNCDs in the Region. In the 10 years since its conception, CARMEN has been promoting an integrated approach to the prevention and control of CNCDs and their risk factors in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. CARMEN applies three strategies to achieve its objectives:

1. integrated prevention and health promotion,
2. demonstrative effect, and
3. the promotion of health equity.

CARMEN has been rooted in three lines of action:

1. Policy-building and evaluation.
2. Community-based actions.
3. Responsive health services.

The CARMEN network consists of over 20 Member countries, as well as several Prospective Members, Collaborating Countries and Special Projects (e.g. the USA-Mexico border).

CARMEN Member Countries will again meet in two years' time.