In the Caribbean, cancer is the second leading cause of death. Based on the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates, mortality from cancer is projected to more than double by 2035 and new cases of cancer are expected to increase by more than two-thirds. The availability of reliable cancer data in the Caribbean region is limited. As of October 2023, less than 10 CARPHA Member States have cancer registries with only 1 meeting the international quality standards.
The mission of the IARC Regional Hub for Cancer Registration (Caribbean) is to improve the availability of high-quality reliable cancer data through standardised and strengthened collection and analysis. This will enable evidence-based decisions by governments and better inform national cancer control and prevention plans.
Functions:
Provides environmental analyses:
CARPHA also provides laboratory network coordination and regulation through the Caribbean Public Health Laboratory Network (CariPHLN).
Clinical and laboratory epidemiological surveillance of and response to influenza, influenza-like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), and other infectious respiratory diseases.
Event-based surveillance systems at stay-in accommodations, through the tourism and health information system (THiS) and cruise-vessel surveillance system (CVSS).
Surveillance of direct and indirect transmission of diseases from animal populations, and outbreak response.
Surveillance of clinical specimens for CARPHA Member States for communicable diseases.
Surveillance of adverse events from pharmaceuticals and biologicals in various populations, and routine laboratory testing of selected pharmaceuticals.
Surveillance of and response to malaria and arboviral outbreaks and emerging health security threats.
Clinical, laboratory, and environmental surveillance of foodborne and waterborne diseases, and training in food safety standards.
Laboratory, clinical and epidemiological surveillance of and response to current and emerging threats to human health from our various environments. This includes air quality, water testing, toxicological threats, and WASH in disaster settings.
Surveillance of cancers through the Caribbean Cancer Registry and surveillance, of NCDs such as diabetes and hypertension. This department also addresses policy development and treatment guidelines for NCDs.
Advocacy for improved diets and access to nutritious, safe foods across the life course. Support to policy development in food and nutrition guidelines and legislation, in the Caribbean.
Use of information systems for the surveillance of morbidity and mortality in the Caribbean.
The use of routine surveillance and early warning systems for the detection of endemic, and emerging threats to the Caribbean’s health security.
THiS is a real-time web-based application for facilities housing stay over arrivals (eg. Hotels) to monitor the health of guests and staff. This provides data for public health officials to identify events before the outbreak begins. Key features include self-reporting and an easy-to-use online tool.
Copyright 2022 by The Caribbean Public Health Agency