The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is the new single regional public health agency for the Caribbean. It was legally established in July 2011 by an Inter-Governmental Agreement signed by Caribbean Community Member States and began operation in January 2013. CARPHA’s mission is to provide strategic direction, in analysing, defining and responding to public health priorities of CARICOM, in order to prevent disease, promote health and to respond to public health threats and emergencies. All of the Territories are full members of CARPHA. CARPHA is overseen by an Executive Board whose membership includes the rotation of specific Ministers from members states, who are rotated every two years. Minister Atherden was appointed to the Executive Board in 2016, and attended the September Executive Board meeting in Washington with expenses covered by CARPHA.
The Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) provides a forum for territories, CARPHA and PAHO to coordinate strategic priorities and activities. All territories of the region are member states. The Thirtieth Meeting of the COHSOD, was held at the Pan America Health Organisation (PAHO) Headquarters Building, Washington, D.C. United States of America on 24th -25th September, 2016. The Meeting was chaired by Senator, the Honourable, Mary Isaac, Minister of Health, Saint Lucia. Minister Atherden attended the meetings and held side meetings with UK overseas territories and UK Department of Health; with PAHO's advisor on dementia; and with PAHO's advisors on information systems for health. The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary. Costs are covered by the Ministry.