BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC—The three-day Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) health research conference, which aims to address pressing health challenges and seek actionable solutions, gets underway here on Wednesday.
The 69th CARPHA Health Research Conference will be held under the theme “Mental Health: The Hidden Pandemic.” The organizers said it would present focused sessions on mental health, non-communicable diseases, family health, infectious diseases, and nutrition.
“Last year, the conference in St. Lucia drew 300 attendees, and this year, an estimated 400 attendees are anticipated. This reflects the growing interest in the conference, which aims to address pressing health challenges and seek actionable solutions.
“The combination of side meetings, oral and poster presentations, networking sessions, and dialogue underscores the importance of public health research to the Caribbean,” said CARPHA’s executive director, Dr. Lisa Indar.
The conference, which is being hosted in collaboration with the Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness, will also feature a panel discussion titled Breaking the Stigma: Advancing Mental Health Care for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults in the Caribbean.
It will explore urgent strategies for improving the detection and treatment of mental health issues among children, adolescents, and young adults in the Caribbean. Panelists will examine the cultural stigmas, systemic gaps, and resource limitations hindering early diagnosis and care access.
In addition to a special session on the Pandemic Fund and Infectious Diseases, the conference will present focused sessions on non-communicable diseases, family health, mental health, vector-borne diseases, and nutrition.
Local, regional, and international companies and organizations will display their products, services, innovations, and programs.
Eighty-seven oral papers and 86 poster presentations will highlight research findings from students, academics, and health professionals professionals from the region.
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