Family Nurse Practitioner and President of the National Nurses Council, Nurse Priscilla Prevost, has urged Dominicans to adopt healthier eating habits amid growing concerns over the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and cancer. She made the appeal during a public address on September 13, 2026, stressing that diet plays a central role in the prevention and management of these conditions.
Prevost, a family nurse practitioner with years of frontline experience, said the rising burden of NCDs and cancer in Dominica demands urgent attention from individuals and communities alike. She pointed to poor dietary choices — including high consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks and salty snacks — as major contributors to hypertension, diabetes, obesity and certain cancers.
The National Nurses Council president called on families to return to healthier, locally grown foods, noting that Dominica’s farms and markets offer abundant fresh fruits, vegetables, ground provisions and fish. She encouraged home cooking over processed convenience foods, and urged parents to set an example for children by making nutritious meals a daily habit.
Prevost also highlighted the importance of regular health screenings, early detection and consistent management of chronic conditions. She said nurses across the island are seeing younger patients presenting with NCDs, a trend she described as deeply worrying for the country’s future.
The appeal comes as health authorities across the Caribbean continue to grapple with high rates of non-communicable diseases, which account for a significant share of deaths in the region. In Dominica, health officials have repeatedly emphasised prevention, healthy lifestyles and routine check-ups as key to reducing the strain on the healthcare system.
Nurse Prevost’s message aligns with broader public health efforts to promote better nutrition, physical activity and reduced alcohol and tobacco use. She encouraged Dominicans to take personal responsibility for their health while also calling for community and national support to make healthy choices easier and more affordable.
She reminded the public that small, consistent changes — such as adding more vegetables to meals, cutting back on sugary drinks and walking regularly — can significantly lower the risk of developing chronic diseases. She also urged those already living with NCDs to follow medical advice and attend their scheduled clinic appointments.
The National Nurses Council continues to advocate for stronger health education and prevention programmes. Prevost said nurses will keep working with communities, schools and churches to spread the message that good nutrition is a foundation of good health.
Her call adds to growing voices in Dominica urging a shift away from unhealthy diets and towards the island’s traditional, nutrient-rich foods. As the country confronts the long-term costs of NCDs and cancer, she said, prevention must start at home — on the plate and in the daily choices families make.
