InterHealth Canada TCI Hospital Launches “Heart Strong TCI” Initiative in Support of Healthy Hearts Across the Turks and Caicos Islands
- NewslineTCI
- 52 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospitals are proud to announce the official launch of the Heart Strong TCI Initiative during the month of February 2026, in observance of Heart Month.
Under the theme “Strong Hearts, Strong Islands,” the Heart Strong TCI Initiative is a comprehensive, community-centered public health campaign designed to raise awareness of heart disease, strengthen health literacy, promote prevention and effective management of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and ultimately reduce the growing impact and cost of heart disease on individuals, families, and communities across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Addressing an Urgent Public Health Need
Cardiovascular disease (heart disease) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for nearly one in every three deaths globally. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in the Americas and the Caribbean Region, death from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory conditions, have risen by 43 % since 2000, reaching about 6 million deaths in 2021. Cardiovascular disease accounts for the largest share of these deaths. Despite being largely preventable, rates of heart disease continue to rise due to aging populations, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, and poorly controlled conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
In the Turks and Caicos Islands, an aging population, high life expectancy, and increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases place residents at heightened risk. International data rank TCI among the top 20 percent of countries globally for CVD mortality, underscoring the urgency for coordinated prevention and early intervention.
“Heart disease affects not just our health system, but our families, our workforce, and our national productivity,” said Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, Campaign Lead for Heart Strong TCI. “This initiative is about empowering people with knowledge, access, and support so they can protect their hearts and live longer, healthier lives.”
What Is Heart Strong TCI?
The Heart Strong TCI Initiative focuses on prevention, early detection, community empowerment, and partnerships, aligned with World Health Organization “Best Buys” and PAHO regional strategies for noncommunicable diseases.
The campaign addresses cardiovascular disease in clear, practical terms, highlighting conditions such as heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and peripheral artery disease and emphasizes the risk factors that can be changed, including smoking, poor diet, inactivity, obesity, and uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol.
Key Campaign Activities
Throughout 2026 and beyond, Heart Strong TCI will deliver evidence-based interventions across the prevention continuum, including:
H - Health Promotion:
Annual House Call radio programs focused on heart health and lifestyle education, and biannual community heart health screening events.
E - Community Empowerment:
Sponsorship of CPR training for at least 50 community members each year to strengthen layperson emergency response capacity.
A - Advocacy and Policy Influence:
Utilize a multi-stakeholder approach to advancing action on noncommunicable disease prevention and control.
R - Physical Activity Promotion:
An annual 5K Walk/Run/Cycle event in partnership with the NGOs, encouraging active living across all ages. This year the partnership is with Rotary Club of Providenciales, District 7020
T - Technology-Enabled Health Promotion:
Promotion of the TCI Hospitals’ MyCareCorner patient portal, supporting digital health literacy, continuity of care, and patient engagement nationwide.
Strong Partnerships for Lasting Impact
The initiative will be delivered through collaboration with the Ministry of Health, public and private healthcare providers, NGOs, faith-based organizations, civic groups, media partners, and private sector sponsors.
Building a Heart-Healthy Future
Heart Strong TCI is designed to be sustainable, with activities integrated into routine community outreach, aligned with national NCD strategies, and supported through public-private partnerships.
“By investing in prevention today, we can reduce avoidable illness, save lives, and protect the future of our islands,” Dr. Braithwaite-Tennant added. “To our community your heart matters and you are TCI’s greatest resource and together we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands a heart‑healthy community. By making small, healthy choices every day and supporting each other, we can protect our hearts and our islands. Strong hearts truly do build strong islands.”