Last week, CARISTATS mapped diabetes prevalence across CARICOM, from 8.5% in Haiti to 16.4% in Guyana. This week, we follow the money.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates how much each country’s health system spends per adult living with diabetes – covering treatment, medication, and management of complications. Across 14 CARICOM member states, that figure ranges from $242 in Haiti to $2,450 in The Bahamas.

Much of the gap reflects differences in national income and health system capacity. But spending does not neatly follow the burden. Guyana records the highest diabetes prevalence in CARICOM at 16.4%, yet spends just $361 per person, the second lowest in the group. This despite leading the region in economic growth in recent years. Belize, with the second-highest prevalence at 14.1%, spends $792.

As prevalence continues to climb across the region, whether spending rises accordingly will shape health outcomes for millions.