Understanding Diabetes and Obesity in The Bahamas Through International Comparison of Health, Economic, and Policy Indicators

Background Diabetes mellitus is a global issue affecting over 828 million people in 2021. Risk factors for developing diabetes include poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and genetic predispositions; however, growing evidence suggests a significant influence from socioeconomic determinants. The Non-Latin Caribbean continues to be an underrepresented population in diabetes research, particularly in The Bahamas. In this paper, we investigate the current state of diabetes in The Bahamas and examine the socioeconomic determinants associated with poor health outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate diabetes prevalence, premature mortality, underdiagnosis, obesity trends by sex, food insecurity, inequality, and obesity-related policy implementation in The Bahamas compared with non-Latin Caribbean and high-income countries, to identify national patterns of disease burden and inform targeted public health policy. Methods Publicly available data were compiled from the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Diabetes Federation, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Enlace, World Bank, and regional reports, prioritizing estimates from 2019 to 2022. With a focus on The Bahamas, we collected data from 10 non-Latin Caribbean nations, as well as the United States, Canada, France, and Germany, to compare health and socioeconomic indicators and assess the current state of the Bahamas. Key metrics of interest included the prevalence of diabetes and obesity, diabetes-related mortality, and indicators of socioeconomic conditions. Results Diabetes prevalence in The Bahamas was lower than in the United States, but still fell within the higher range seen across the Caribbean. Premature mortality due to diabetes was considerably higher in The Bahamas compared to high-income countries and ranked among the highest in the region. When examining obesity trends, Bahamian women consistently demonstrated the greatest burden relative to both regional neighbors and high-income comparison countries. Across multiple socioeconomic indicators, The Bahamas also showed notable vulnerabilities and lagged behind North America in terms of policy response and implementation. Conclusion Diabetes in The Bahamas remains a serious public health concern, marked by high premature mortality and rising obesity rates that exceed those of several high-income countries. Strengthening national surveillance and addressing socioeconomic disparities will be critical for reversing current trends and supporting effective public health responses.