The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is urging governments, the food industry and individuals across the region to take stronger action to reduce excessive salt consumption, as hypertension and heart disease continue to rise.
In a media release issued for World Salt Awareness Week, observed from May 11 to 17, 2026, CARPHA said that between 21% and 27% of Caribbean adults are hypertensive, while many populations consume nearly double the World Health Organization’s recommended salt intake.
The WHO recommends that adults consume less than 5 grams of salt per day, which is equivalent to less than 1 teaspoon. However, CARPHA noted that global average salt intake is estimated at 10.78 grams per day, more than twice the recommended level.
CARPHA said high sodium intake contributes to approximately 1.89 million deaths annually worldwide, and is a major risk factor for hypertension, heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar said excessive salt consumption remains a silent but serious threat to public health across the Caribbean.
“Excessive salt consumption is a silent but significant contributor to hypertension, heart disease, and stroke across the Region,” Dr. Indar said.
She noted that much of the salt consumed by the public comes not only from salt added at the table, but from processed and ultra-processed foods.
CARPHA said stronger food policies, food reformulation, improved nutrition labeling, and public education are among the key actions needed to reduce sodium intake and protect future generations.
The agency is marking World Salt Awareness Week under the theme “Salt It Out”, a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of excessive salt consumption and encouraging healthier food choices.
CARPHA said it continues to support regional non-communicable disease prevention strategies through collaboration with Ministries of Health, the Pan American Health Organization, and other regional stakeholders.
The agency has also developed the CESA Regional Sodium Reduction Framework, which supports national strategies built around changing the food environment, educating the public, strengthening monitoring systems, and assessing progress.
CARPHA said additional proposed measures include school nutrition education, restrictions on advertising high-sodium foods to children, front-of-package labeling, nutrition standards, and product reformulation.
The agency said reducing salt intake remains one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve public health, prevent disease, and reduce pressure on health systems across the Caribbean.