Our Introduction to the Caribbean
As a result of valuable input from our initial Editors,
Yvonne Graham and
Kenton
Kirby,
Health Power developed
a unique and culturally relevant definition of
The Caribbean. Health
Power is now pleased to welcome
Dr. Villanueva,
an Editor on our
Women’s Health
Channel, as an additional Editor on the Caribbean Channel, as well.
Technically, we define the Caribbean region as primarily consisting of those countries
and territories (hereafter all called countries) called the Greater
and Lesser Antilles. Culturally and in terms of immigration patterns
to the United States, however, the Caribbean extends beyond the Antilles, and includes
some countries in Central and South America.
Because of earlier colonization of many of these countries (and territories) by
the English, Spanish, French and Dutch, many of these countries have multi-ethnic,
multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-language (linguistic) characteristics.
The
Health Power Caribbean
Circuit will address health related interests and needs of people from the following:
- countries where the population is Afro-centric in all, or a significant, part; and
- (other Caribbean, Central American and South American countries from which a significant
number of individuals now live in the United States and also identify themselves
as from the Caribbean.
Although countries that have a Spanish dominance may technically be Caribbean, Health
Power will pass them on to its Hispanic Channel for focus.
Health Power's Caribbean and Caribbean National Flags
Key national flags
of the Caribbean, with their multiple colors and symbols, demonstrate the
beauty and spirit of this beautiful and dynamic area of the world. Of even greater
interest is theTable
of Key Caribbean Health Indicators
. It provides information on the birth rates, infant mortality rates, and life expectancies
of 21 countries, ranging from Antigua-Barbuda, Anguilla and Aruba, to St. Vincent
& The Grenadines, Trinidad &Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.