Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said it is estimated that more than 4,000 people in the Virgin Islands are living with diabetes, many of whom are still undiagnosed. Photo: GIS/File

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Photo: thereisadayforthat.com

Hon Wheatley made this disclosure in a statement on November 5, 2026, in observance of Diabetes Awareness Month this November.

It should be noted that Hon Wheatley had stated in November 2024 that it was "estimated that as many as 4,000 people may be living with diabetes, with over 50 individuals on dialysis, with nearly half due to diabetes.”

The Health Minister noted in his most recent statement on the subject that across the Americas, more than 112 million adults are living with the condition, with up to 40 per cent unaware of their diagnosis. These figures, he said, are deeply concerning, but they also strengthen the determination to act.

“This tells us something important: awareness alone is not enough. We must begin putting what we know into practice.”

Early Action on Diabetes

This year's theme is ‘Early Action on Diabetes’, which underscores the importance of early intervention and how taking action now can change the course of one’s health and make a significant difference to their well-being in the years ahead.

When it comes to Type 2 Diabetes, Hon Wheatley said, prevention is the earliest action we can take. “We can begin by making healthier choices in our everyday lives, particularly in how we eat and how physically active we are.”

Hon Wheatley noted that as Caribbean people, we enjoy some of the most delicious dishes, filled with flavour. “While we do not have to abandon the foods we know and love, we must be mindful of how much we consume and how often we indulge.”

He said many of our favourite foods, including rice, bread and ground provisions, contain carbohydrates that the body breaks down into glucose, or sugar. “While carbohydrates are an important source of energy, consuming more than our bodies need can contribute to poor blood sugar management.”