Abstract (by author) > Pascal BOVET

Pascal Bovet obtained a medical degree (MD) in Lausanne (Switzerland) and a Master in Public Health from UCLA (Los Angeles). He has been an NCD consultant to the Seychelles Ministry of Health for 35 years. Previously professor and head of the NCD unit at Unisanté, following his retirement he remains a ‘volunteer senior physician’ at Unisanté (Lausanne). He has published over 400 articles and edited a book on NCDs (Routledge, 2023). He has often been a technical advisor to the WHO.

2:10 PM - Feedback on strategic initiatives initiated (session 3)

Population-based surveys on non-communicable diseases in Seychelles
between 1989-2023: good and not-so-good news, and their implications

In the Seychelles, several population surveys on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been carried out among adults (random samples of >1000 adults in 1989, 1994, 2004, 2013 and 2023) and children (since 1998, annual measurements among all students in 3 school levels, n>3000/year).

These data make it possible to: 1) monitor the prevalence of modifiable risk factors over time (tobacco, diet, alcohol, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, etc.), thus guiding the development of new treatments), helping to guide prevention programs (whose goals are formulated in the National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2016-2025); 2) analyze relationships between different variables, such as the association of obesity with diabetes or hypertension ; and 3) provide information on gaps in the diagnosis and treatment of correctable conditions (percentages of people aware that they suffer from hypertension - or diabetes or hypercholesterolemia, proportions treated, and proportions ‘controlled’ to desired therapeutic targets).

The trend is rather favorable for several risk factors (notably smoking and treatment of hypertension), possibly linked to socio-economic development, prevention programs and a dense healthcare system (free access for all inhabitants). On the other hand, the prevalence of obesity has risen steadily and is now reaching worrying levels among both children and adults. This situation has, and will continue to have in the future, major consequences for health, the economy and the environment, calling for enhanced and innovative prevention and treatment measures.