Guyana and Haiti record lowest life expectancy in Caribbean region

Guyana and Haiti register the lowest life expectancies in the Caribbean, while Barbados, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Trinidad and Tobago boast the highest rates, according to a new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The findings are part of a 323-page document titled 'Democracies under pressure: Reimagining the future of democracy and development in Latin America and the Caribbean.'

The report indicates that life expectancy among Caribbean citizens ranges from 66 to 76 years, with an average of 77.8 years. Citizens in the region generally maintain good health until around age 70. The UNDP highlights that democratic governance plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to health services, irrespective of socioeconomic status, gender, or geographical location.

“

The explanations for life expectancy inequalities between countries are multidimensional and include, for example, the risk profile of each country and the structure of the health system.

"Solid institutional systems allow for planning infrastructure investments, adequate distribution of health personnel, and the design of financing mechanisms that reduce territorial and social disparities," the UNDP stated. "When these frameworks function, they help mitigate the social determinants of health and prevent illness from becoming a factor that exacerbates poverty and exclusion."

Despite progress toward universal health coverage, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the region. Resources were diverted to emergency care, hindering prevention programs and the management of chronic diseases. The Caribbean faces a complex epidemiological transition, marked by a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions, necessitating strengthened primary care systems and continuous treatment.

“

Solid institutional systems allow for planning infrastructure investments, adequate distribution of health personnel, and the design of financing mechanisms that reduce territorial and social disparities. When these frameworks function, they help mitigate the social determinants of health and prevent illness from becoming a factor that exacerbates poverty and exclusion.