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Disaster risk management, climate change and the One Health approach are among the diverse topics that will be explored at the annual Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference which takes place from 26 to 28 September 2019 at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. These sessions will feature experts from Utah State University; the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO); Public Health England; the Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture; and St. Matthew’s University.

Dr. Kerry A. Rood, Extension Veterinarian and Associate Department Head at Utah State University, will present on the topic of “One Health: The Veterinarian’s Role in Combating Antibiotic Resistance, Zoonotic Disease and Climate Change”. Later, he will sit on a panel with Ms. Nasolo Thompson from PAHO, Professor Virginia Murray from Public Health England, Dr. Samantha Dorman from the Department of Agriculture and Dr. Brendan Lee from St. Matthew’s University in a session moderated by Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Director of Primary Health Care at the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority and Medical Officer of Health.

“Antibiotic resistance is a serious global threat. Because of the unique human-animal bond, the risk of zoonotic disease caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites that spread between animals and humans is increased,” explained Dr. Rood. “Couple the threat of antibiotic resistance and the fact that many newly emerging diseases are animal related, the conversation of One Health is timely. Attendees will appreciate the unique position that veterinarians hold at the interface of humans and animals and will be inspired to embrace the conversation of One Health.”

Ms. Nasolo Thompson, PAHO Consultant for Family, Health Promotion and the Life Course, will talk about the challenge of climate change and health for the Caribbean, touching on issues such as the influences of weather (e.g. extreme heat, hurricanes, heavy rains, storm surge) on human health; temperature-related death and illness due to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases; vector-borne diseases brought about by high and low temperature extremes; the health sector reducing its carbon footprint; and making health care facilities more environmentally friendly and resilient to disasters.

Professor Virginia Murray, Head of Global Disaster Risk Reduction at Public Health England will round out the conference agenda with presentation on “Disaster risk management through a health lens”. Questions such as what threats to our health are on the horizon, what are the health emergencies, disasters and environmental threats, how might we tackle the effects from them, how are international agencies working together, and what should Cayman be thinking about at the government, institutional and domestic levels to mitigate these public health threats will be addressed by Professor Murray.

Organisers are advising the public that the conference is sold-out but sessions will be live streamed and video recordings of all sessions will be available on the event website for persons who wish to view them for CME credit.

This year’s sponsors include the Ministry of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing, Ironshore, Health City Cayman Islands, the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture and Lands, Cayman Islands Health Services Authority, Kelly Holding and Cleveland Clinic, amongst others.

For more information on the conference, including the agenda and speakers, visit www.healthcareconference.ky or contact Natalie Toole on natalie@kellyholding.com or 1 (345) 623-8826