Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis, also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, is a country comprised of two small islands in the Leeward chain of the Carribean Sea. The islands were settled by the British between 1624–28. The federation won independence in 1983, although it remains a member of the Commonwealth Realm with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. In 1998, Nevis made a bid to secede from the union, but failed to win the needed two-thirds majority.

The population of the islands are slightly over 39,000, growing at just 0.62 percent annually. This slow growth is driven by a population outflow, as more and more Kittitians and Nevisians leave the islands in search of better opportunities abroad. For those that stay, life expectancy is high, with the average male reaching 70 and the average female reaching 76. Infant mortality and child mortality are fairly low, at 18 deaths per 1000 for infants and 20 per 1000 for children under 5. Maternal mortality is almost non-existent.

The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis was dependent on the cultivation of sugar cane through most of their history, but after years of financial loss the industry shut down in 2005. The islands now rely mainly on tourism. While agriculture is still practiced on the islands, most food has to be imported, which combined with the 9 percent inflation rate leads to high prices for some, and may be spurring poor nutrition among some islanders. Health officials note that between 1991–1995, an average of 6.6 percent of island children were considered moderately underweight, an average of 6.7 percent were moderately overweight.

Saint Kitts and Nevis suffer from a few remaining communicable endemic diseases, including gastroenteritis, [Page 1512]dengue, and tuberculosis. Most have been brought under control through an integrated system of inspection, environmental control, education and information-sharing. Virtually all islanders have access to safe drinking water and sanitary facilities, further reducing the risk. Immunization programs for children are fairly robust, and outbreaks of common childhood diseases are rare.

Lifestyle issues play a role in the health of Kittitians and Nevisians. Violence and crime increased 49 percent between 1990 and 1994. Teenage pregnancy is common, and there is a high percentage of drug use by the young. Smoking and tobacco use is also prevalent. There have been some cases of HIV/AIDS on the islands, but it is relatively rare.

Adult morbidity and mortality is driven by noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. Cancers, heart disease and strokes accounts for almost 50 percent of deaths on the islands.

There are 4 general hospitals and 17 health centers positioned throughout the islands. There is also a home for the infirm and elderly and a psychiatric facility on Nevis. The islands lay in the Carribean hurricane belt, and several hospital facilities have been damaged by repeated strikes, leading to the rebuilding of the J N France Hospital in the capital city of Basseterre. Saint Kitts and Nevis are part of the regional drug service and is well-supplied with medicines on its national drug formulary.

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