Small island developing states in the Eastern Caribbean face a dual burden of climate-related disasters and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). While the relationship between disasters and health has been demonstrated for acute emergencies, there is limited understanding of the impacts of repeated disaster exposure on NCD management and control. The Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) leverages its robust community-driven network for data sharing and implementation science related to furthering our understanding of the intersection of disaster exposure and NCDs.

The ECHORN cohort study is an ongoing longitudinal cohort study characterizing risk and protective factors for NCDs in the Eastern Caribbean. The cohort (N=2,961) was empaneled between 2013-2018 across four sites. Regional partners identified disaster exposure as a priority for research and coordination moving forward.

ECHORN Wave III includes a disaster exposure survey to analyze the impact of exposure to repeated climate events and natural disasters (COVID19, earthquakes) on NCD management in the Eastern Caribbean. This first-of-its-kind study offers a data-driven approach to sustainable NCD management and climate-resilient policy development.

With the anticipated acceleration of NCDs and disasters across the Caribbean, ECHORN’s work to inform disaster-resilient NCD management and control is imperative and time-sensitive.