Lifestyle Medicine in Latin America and the Caribbean Conference

The inaugural Lifestyle Medicine in Latin America and the Caribbean Conference took place from February 23 to 25, 2024 , in the vibrant city of Willemstad, Curaçao. Jointly organized by the Caribbean Prevention Center and Naskho , the event brought together leading health practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region. The conference provided a groundbreaking platform for regional collaboration, exploring how lifestyle medicine can reshape healthcare outcomes in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Conference Significance

Non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, are a pressing health challenge in the region. The conference highlighted the pivotal role of lifestyle medicine—a branch of healthcare focusing on disease prevention and reversal through lifestyle changes—in addressing these issues. By fostering regional collaboration, the event served as a hub for exchanging knowledge and building strategies tailored to the unique needs of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Conference Objectives

The event aimed to achieve several key objectives:

• Promoting NCD prevention strategies: Encouraging evidence-based interventions to reduce disease prevalence.
• Facilitating exchange among regional leaders: Bringing together health professionals from 24 countries to share insights.
• Exploring digital health innovations: Examining the potential of technology to guide population health.
• Developing best practices: Showcasing successful case studies in lifestyle-driven disease prevention.

Attendee Benefits

For participants, the conference offered a wealth of opportunities. Practitioners earned accreditation points while gaining exposure to cutting-edge research and innovative strategies. Attendees also networked with renowned experts , including Nobel Prize-caliber professors, and learned actionable insights to implement in their practice.

Conference Structure

Spanning three days, the event featured seven comprehensive sessions with 44 distinguished speakers from diverse backgrounds. The program included panel discussions , interactive workshops, and insightful case studies, offering a holistic learning experience for all attendees.

Key Sessions and Topics

1. Health System Innovation:

   • Examined health governance approaches for NCDs and highlighted the importance of health equity and addressing social determinants in the region.
   • A fascinating case study on the longevity of centenarians in Martinique provided practical insights.

2. Lifestyle Medicine:

   • Discussed the integration of exercise medicine and sexual health in lifestyle medicine frameworks.

3. Lifestyle Medicine & Respiratory Diseases:

   • Covered the impact of household pollution , pre-COPD management , and the role of smoking cessation programs .

4. Cancer Prevention:

   • Focused on the genetic causes of cancer in the Caribbean, effective population screening programs in Curaçao, and the Latin American Code Against Cancer .

5. Nutrition & Overweight:

   • Addressed the obesity epidemic in the Caribbean, the success of the Barbados School Nutrition Policy , and innovations like food labeling policies in Chile.

6. Diabetes:

   • Explored lifestyle medicine's effectiveness in diabetes prevention and management , especially targeting pre-diabetes in adolescents and the connection between obesity and diabetes.

Notable Speakers and Their Contributions

The conference featured luminaries in lifestyle medicine and oncology:

• Prof. David Khayat (France): Renowned oncology expert who discussed cancer prevention strategies.
• Prof. Bob Pinedo (Curaçao & Netherlands): Shared insights on advancing medical oncology practices.
• Prof. Peter Harper (UK): A leading consultant oncologist who delved into the latest in cancer care.
  Regional experts further enriched the sessions by sharing localized approaches to NCD prevention.

The guest speakers at the conference were not only leaders in their respective fields but also pioneers in integrating advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare solutions. Prof. David Khayat , known globally for his work in oncology, provided a compelling overview of how AI-driven genetic screening can revolutionize early cancer detection, particularly in under-resourced regions of the Caribbean. He emphasized the importance of tailoring AI tools to meet the unique genetic profiles of Caribbean populations, offering hope for more personalized and effective interventions.

Prof. Bob Pinedo , with his dual expertise in Curaçao and the Netherlands, explored the use of digital health platforms to enhance patient education and engagement in cancer care. His session highlighted the role of telemedicine in bridging the gap between remote patients and specialized care, a critical challenge in the region. Similarly, Prof. Peter Harper delved into the role of AI in predicting patient outcomes and optimizing treatment plans, particularly for lifestyle-related illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Regional experts also brought their perspectives to the table, discussing how mobile health apps, wearable technology, and AI-powered data analytics could transform chronic disease management. These tools were highlighted as essential for addressing the region's healthcare challenges, including limited access to specialists and rising healthcare costs. By integrating technology with lifestyle medicine, the speakers painted an inspiring picture of a future where digital innovation and preventive healthcare go hand in hand to improve population health outcomes. The event ended with a motivational speaker who inspired the audience to continue their innovative work and make a positive impact on the world.

Conference Impact and Outcomes

The event marked significant progress in addressing NCDs through lifestyle medicine. Key outcomes included:

• Enhanced strategies for regional NCD prevention and management.
• Strengthened professional collaboration, paving the way for future initiatives.
• Greater awareness of lifestyle medicine's critical role in public health.
• Potential policy developments to improve healthcare access and outcomes.

Future Prospects

Building on this success, organizers announced plans for future conferences to continue advancing lifestyle medicine in the region. Long-term goals include integrating lifestyle interventions into national health systems and fostering innovative research to further NCD prevention.

The Lifestyle Medicine in Latin America and the Caribbean Conference was a landmark event, showcasing the potential of lifestyle medicine to transform regional health outcomes. By fostering collaboration and innovation, it laid the groundwork for a healthier future. Health practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders are now called to action to sustain the momentum and continue prioritizing lifestyle-based strategies for NCD prevention.