The Pacific Community (SPC) says a new approach is needed to try and rein in the region's non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis.
Seventy five percent of all deaths in the Pacific are NCD-related and this has even been linked to the decline in life expectancy in some countries.
SPC Director-General, Colin Tukuitonga. Photo: Pacificwomen.org
The Director General of the SPC said countries are not doing enough to combat the epidemic.
Colin Tukuitonga said he hopes a summit in Tonga next month will strengthen the response to non-communicable diseases.
"In many small islands at least half the population have diabetes or pre-diabetes, obesity rates remain high. Smoking rates continue to be climbing and so we are not making the kind of impact that we need to make."
