When it comes to the health of a nation, sometimes the smallest steps can spark the biggest change. That is exactly what the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados Inc. (HSFB) is hoping for with the Government’s latest move, a 20 per cent excise tax on high-salt snacks, set to take effect on June 1, 2025.
For Greta Yearwood, CEO of HSFB, the tax is a timely reminder that Barbados remains committed to preventing and reducing non-communicable diseases. In a candid interview with Diabetes Today, Yearwood welcomed the measure, suggesting that it could lead to healthier living, especially for the country’s children, who are potentially facing a future burdened by lifestyle-related illness.
Referencing statistics from the Barbados National Registry for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, she noted that in 2020 alone, 547 heart attacks and 700 strokes were recorded. She argued that the fact that 31 percent of children are obese or overweight and one-third of Barbadians aged 25 to 70 are affected by cardiovascular disease underscores the urgent need for greater awareness about and prevention of NCDs.
Yearwood stressed that the fight against NCDs must begin with the nation’s youth. She is, therefore, adamant that stemming the tide of NCDs in Barbados involves ensuring that children are leading healthy lives. She also voiced concern about the rising trend of unhealthy food brands subtly marketing their products to children, noting that this issue is garnering their attention. She warned that if concerted efforts are not made to educate our children and keep them away from unhealthy foods, we will see an influx of unhealthy youth transitioning into adulthood with higher health risks.
“By tackling poor nutrition early—cutting salt and unhealthy foods—we can break the cycle, reduce the health bill and lower NCD rate,” Yearwood stated.
Building on this call for early intervention, the Foundation’s CEO also commended the Government for its role in promoting healthier lifestyles through the creation of exercise spaces in some communities. However, she urged the expansion of these initiatives, noting that not everyone can afford a gym membership and stressing the importance of accessible options to combat sedentary living. She further encouraged policymakers to revisit the zero-rated basket of goods to improve access to more nutritious foods.
Understanding Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
This emphasis on healthier lifestyles naturally ties into the broader conversation about preventing NCDs – particularly cardiovascular diseases, which remain a leading cause of death globally. Yearwood explained that the risk of developing cardiovascular disease is influenced by a mix of lifestyle choices and genetics. Key risk factors include poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol use. These unhealthy habits can lead to elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, increased cholesterol, and weight gain—each of which can significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. But there is good news, she said – many of these risks are preventable with the right lifestyle changes. Additionally, she highlighted the powerful toll stress takes on heart health, explaining that whether it is work pressure, financial stress, or everyday challenges, the strain on both the mind and body can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
The HSFB head also shattered common myths about heart disease, making it clear that it is not mainly a man’s issue—women are equally at risk and all women, not just older ones. She stressed that heart disease can strike at any age, especially with risk factors like diabetes, smoking, and stress.
“Cardiovascular disease has no specific face—it can affect anyone,” she stated.
This universal vulnerability underscores the importance of organizations like the HSFB, which has been at the forefront of the fight against heart disease in Barbados for decades.
HSFB celebrating four decades of Life-Saving Programs & Initiatives
This April, the HSFB celebrates 40 years of promoting healthier lifestyles and service to the nation. Since 1985, HSFB has empowered thousands of Barbadians through education, training, and access to life-saving care, becoming the nation’s leading voice in the fight against heart disease.
CEO Yearwood, who stepped into her role a year ago after over a decade as Administrative Coordinator, now leads the Foundation’s strategic mission—driving advocacy, volunteerism, and fundraising to sustain its impact. She said one of HSFB’s key initiatives is the Emergency Cardiac Care Program, which aims to train at least two people per household in CPR.
“Once it is recognized that the person is having a heart attack, as soon as they can get CPR, it can trigger the heart back into operation until the ambulance arrives to take the person to the hospital,” she told Diabetes Today.
In addition, the Foundation’s Cardiac Disease Prevention and Rehabilitation Program provides ongoing support to patients recovering from cardiac events or strokes. Referred by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and polyclinics, these individuals receive supervised care and guidance to return to independent living with confidence.
The Foundation also has its finger on the pulse of youth wellness. Through its decade-strong Yute Gym Programme for ages 8 to 18 and the impactful Childhood Obesity Prevention (COP) Programme, HSFB is nurturing the next generation with healthier habits and informed choices.
Celebrating the Past, Shaping the Future.
From CPR training to stroke rehab, from youth programs to national advocacy, HSFB’s four decades of service have touched every corner of Barbadian society. And as the Foundation looks to the future, one thing remains unchanged—its heart is in the right place.
