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CSOs Come Together to Develop Advocacy Campaigns Aimed at Preventing Childhood Obesity in the Caribbean
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This week from November 7-9, 2017, the HCC hosted a workshop entitled: Designing a Regional Advocacy Campaign Plan for Childhood Obesity Prevention Policies. The workshop was aimed at supporting advocacy elements of HCCs Civil Society Action Plan 2017-2021: Preventing Childhood Obesity in the Caribbean as part of the part of the Letter of Agreement with PAHO. Additional partners were Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Vital Strategies and El Poder who provided critical technical experience in the design of advocacy campaigns and mass media communications.
Key regional resources included PAHO technical advisors, Prof Alafia Samuels of the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, Nicole Foster, HCC Policy Advisor, and HCC CDB Consultant, Dr. Beverley Barnett. The outcome of the workshop - draft advocacy campaign plans - will feed into complementary activities under the recently awarded Caribbean Development Bank Grant aimed at building capacity among civil society organisations to respond to childhood obesity nationally and regionally.
The workshop was attended by 10 organisations: The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados; The Breast and Child Nutrition Foundation of Barbados; The Heart Foundation of Jamaica; The Jamaica Cancer Society; The Diabetes Association of Jamaica; The Jamaica Consumer Affairs Commission; The Belize Cancer Society; The Diabetes Association of Belize; The Cancer Society of the Bahamas; and members of the TT NCD Alliance, the Diabetes Association of Trinidad & Tobago. |
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HCC and Partners Prepare for 2nd annual Caribbean Alcohol Day
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On November 17th the HCC with the support of partners PAHO, CARPHA and CARICOM will host the 2nd Annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day. The theme this year is: Drink Less, Reduce your Cancer Risk.
The harmful use of alcohol, along with tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, is recognized as one of four major common risk factors for NCDs; yet alcohol has received comparatively less attention than the other 3 risk factors. Alcohol contributes to cancer, liver and heart disease, mental illness, violence, accidents and injuries. Alcohol consumption causes many cancers including: Mouth cancer, Pharyngeal cancer (upper throat), Oesophageal cancer (food pipe), Laryngeal cancer (voice box), Breast cancer, Bowel cancer, and Liver cancer[1]. Globally the harmful use of alcohol is linked to 3.3 million preventable deaths annually. Excessive drinking of alcohol is a major health risk, occurring particularly increasingly among Caribbean youth resulting in alcohol related violent deaths among the top 5 causes of death in the region and the commonest cause of death among young men. Young women are especially vulnerable; alcohol consumption disproportionately increases the risk of breast cancer between menarche and first birth[2].
The objectives of the 2017 CARD are to:
- Increase public and policymaker awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol misuse.
- Increase public and policymaker awareness about the links between alcohol consumption and cancer risk.
- Call on Policy makers to implement specific policies to reduce alcohol consumption. In order to create environments in which drinking less is the easier option, the HCC calls on governments to implement supportive policies. The call to action this year is in line with the updated WHO Best Buy Interventions[3] to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
- Increase excise taxes on alcoholic beverages[4]
- Enact and enforce bans or comprehensive restrictions on exposure to alcohol advertising (across multiple types of media)[5]
- Enact and enforce restrictions on the physical availability of retailed alcohol (via reduced hours of sale)[6]
Join us for our webinar on Friday November 17th from 10.00am - 11.00am Washington DC Time.
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[1] http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/alcohol-and-cancer/how-alcohol-causes-cancer
[2] McPherson, K., Steel, C. M., & Dixon, J. M. (2009). 5 Breast cancer—epidemiology, risk factors, and genetics. ABC of Breast Diseases, 69, 24
[3] Effective interventions with cost effectiveness analysis (CEA) ≤ I$100 per DALY averted in LMICs
[4] Requires an effective system for tax administration and should be combined with efforts to prevent tax avoidance and tax evasion
[5] Requires capacity for implementing and enforcing regulations and legislation
[6] Formal controls on sale need to be complemented by actions addressing illicit or informally produced alcohol
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World Diabetes Day - 14th November 2017
The theme for 2017 is Women and Diabetes.
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The World Diabetes Day 2017 campaign will promote the importance of affordable and equitable access for all women at risk for or living with diabetes to the essential diabetes medicines and technologies, self-management education and information they require to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes and strengthen their capacity to prevent type 2 diabetes.
There are currently over 199 million women living with diabetes and this total is projected to increase to 313 million by 2040. Gender roles and power dynamics influence vulnerability to diabetes, affect access to health services and health seeking behavior for women, and amplify the impact of diabetes on women.
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Regional Activities to Celebrate World Diabetes Awareness Month
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Krystal Boyea Diabetes Diary
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The theme for World Diabetes Awareness Month is 'Women and Diabetes', in recognition of this HCC NCD Youth Champion Krystal Boyea is making a video diary of what it is like for her living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Support Krystal and World Diabetes Awareness by following her through the whole of November. 30 Days 30 videos.... #blabtotheblue |
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Jamaica Gleaner Diabetes Feature
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The Jamaica Gleaner ran a 5 page feature on Diabetes this week. Including the following articles
- Know your numbers - Dr Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health for Jamaica
- Let’s hail our women - Prof. Errol Morrison OJ, Hon Life President Diabetes Association of Jamaica
- We are excited to honour UWI - Donna Braham, Co-chair, UDOP conference organising committee
- IDF calls for equitable treatment of women with or at risk for diabetes
- A network of caring women - Women serving diabetes over the years
- Lurline Less’s success story with type 1 diabetes
- Diabetes and your vision - Dr Lizette Mowatt, President, Ophthalmological Society of Jamaica
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Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation
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9th Annual “Diabetes in the Limelight Jamboree”, took place November 10th, 2017 at the Cyd Gray Sporting Complex, Roxborough, Tobago at 10:00 a.m. Registration was free. Screening... Blood glucose, A1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight clinic, doctors on site, eye doctor, dentist, education booth, children's booth, poster competition display, Zumca, spin-to-win (physical activity), stroke education, nutrition booth, food demonstration & more...
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Diabetes Association of Barbados
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The Guyana Diabetic Association
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- Magenta "Ladies of Distinction November 3-5, Pegasus Hotel
- Tea Party - French Team November 11, 3-6pm Promenade Gardens
- Blue Moonlight "Voices to be Heard" November 13, 7pm - 10pm. Type 1 relating the stories while letting candles go
- Walk November 18, 6am (5K)
- Exhibition November 18, 2017 Stabroek Market Live cooking demonstration
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The Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association
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The Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association will be conducting a week of Activities from November 12 to 18th working with the Ministry of Health and the Lions Club of Antigua.
- Sunday November 12, 8:30 a.m.: Worship Service at St. Georges Anglican Church
- Monday November 13, 2:00 p.m.: In-service education Session for District Nurse Midwives on Diabetes in Pregnancy
- Tuesday November 14, World Diabetes Day, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.:Screening, Education and Food Demonstration at the Public Market with the Ministry of Health and the Medical Benefits Scheme
- Wednesday November 15, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.: Lunch and Learn at the Antigua Public Utilities Authority
- Thursday November 16: Education in Workplaces (to be confirmed)
- Saturday November 18, 5:00 a.m: Global Walk for Diabetes with Lions Club of Antigua, followed by a Light Breakfast
Media programmes leading up to World Diabetes Day and during the week November 12 to 18 2017
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Jamaica Health Ministry to Heighten Public Education Campaign to Tackle NCDs
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The Ministry of Health will, over the forthcoming months, be heightening its public education programme on the effects of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as it intensifies efforts to reduce the high incidence of NCDs impacting the populace.
Portfolio Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, says the campaign aims to promote healthier lifestyles while identifying the ill-effects of unhealthy living.
This, he added, resulting from the consumption of products regarded as unhealthy, or containing ingredients so deemed.
“So you are going to see a tobacco campaign that is going to re-emphasize supporting the (no smoking) legislation, and (highlighting) the ill effects of tobacco. You are (also) going to see a campaign around sugar, also highlighting the ill effects (of excessive consumption),” the minister further said.
He made the announcement during Friday’s National Food Industry Task Force stakeholder consultation meeting at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) head office in Kingston.
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Barbados National Registry Cancer Snapshot
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The ultimate aim of any registry is to impact and improve patient care. This year’s cancer seminar, entitled Cancer Management Best Practices has been approved for 3 credits by the Barbados Nursing Council and the Barbados Medical Council and will cover topics relat-ing to the proper care and management of cancer patients. We are happy to have the addi-tion of the findings of a research paper on the ‘Cancer Awareness Realities and Experienc-es’ of breast cancer patients to this year’s programme.
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Cancer Support Services PSA Screening
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Cancer Support Services recently held its PSA Screening on Saturday October 14, 2017.
A total of 101 men came out to be screened. Dr. Jeetu Nebhnani was on hand to have a brief interactive discussion with the men about prostate health and answered their pressing questions and addressed any concerns.
The next PSA Screening will take place on Saturday January 20, 2017.
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NCDs and Trade Policy in the Caribbean
HCC NCD Policy Brief
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The HCC recently lanched an NCD Policy Brief which highlights the interactions and relationships between trade and NCDs and the role of trade policy actions in support of the prevention and control of this group of diseases in the Caribbean. The brief provides information and case studies on the interconnection and relevance of trade to NCD prevention and control and outlines linkages between trade policies and specific NCD risk factors, specifically tobacco and alcohol use and unhealthy diets. It closes with recommendations for priority policy actions, which can be used as a starting point for civil society led advocacy.
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The brief, developed with the support of the NCD Alliance, is one of a series that builds a case for NCD policy action across non-health, health-influencing government sectors in the Caribbean, and is part of the HCC's ongoing NCD advocacy agenda. It is first and foremost an advocacy tool for Caribbean civil society organisations (CSOs) to inform their advocacy efforts aimed at triggering the development and implementation of trade policies which support a reduction in the burden of NCDs. It is hoped that CSOs will gain a greater understanding of key trade and NCD-related issues and policy options leading to more strategic and effective advocacy.
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C3 Collaborating for Health Receives Prestigious Archon Award for Exceptional Leadership in Advancing Health in the World
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C3 Collaborating for Health, a small, tenacious charity, has been awarded an internationally renowned award for exceptional leadership in advancing health and welfare through the world, joining the ranks of His Highness the Aga Khan, Save the Children, Dame Cicely Saunders and Dr Jonas Salk for exceptional leadership in health. Sigma Theta Tau International recognised C3 as meeting the award’s criteria based upon “its many contributions and achievements”, proving that the prevention of chronic disease will not take place only through the efforts of organisations such as the World Health Organization and the NHS, but more importantly through the work of grassroots organisations that can connect different segments of society to tackle non-communicable diseases together. Read the full press release here.
Read more about the event in this blog - C3 Collaborating for Health awarded prestigious health leadership award at ‘Oscars of Nursing’ by Pat Hughes, C3’s associate in nursing, health and development.
About C3 Collaborating for Health: C3 works with many organisations across sectors to build Collaboration and catalyse action in the global community, to promote 3 behaviour changes:
- Improving diet and avoiding harmful alcohol use
- Stopping smoking
- Increasing physical activity
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Are Honey Nut Cheerios Healthy?
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Honey Nut is America’s best-selling breakfast cereal, and by a comfortable margin. Roughly 151 million boxes and other containers of various sizes were sold over the past year, well ahead of the second best-selling breakfast cereal, Frosted Flakes, according to IRI, a Chicago based market research firm.
Honey Nut Cheerios debuted in 1979. The cereal’s forebear, Cheerios, originally called Cheerioats, was born in 1941 and has a more favorable nutrition profile. The plain version is low in sugar, “and you’re getting some oat fiber that can help lower your cholesterol modestly,” said Bonnie Liebman, director of nutrition at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Honey Nut Cheerios has about nine times as much sugar as plain Cheerios, per serving.
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Read the HCC's 'A Spoonful of Sugar – The “Not So Sweet” Truth About Barbados’ Breakfast Cereals' here.
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Call for Poster Abstracts - Due Date: December 12, 2017
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The 6th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research will be held on March 15,2018, prior to the start of the 9th Annual Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Global Health Conference. The objectives of this full-day Symposium on Global Cancer Research are to provide: (1) A comprehensive overview of the role of research in addressing local and global disparities in cancer care and control; (2) A stimulating and engaging forum for knowledge sharing; and (3) An environment that facilitates new collaborations to advance our knowledge and practice aimed at overcoming cancer disparities.
Presentation of cutting-edge research and programs that address the global burden of cancer is at the heart of the Symposium. The organizers invite all persons wishing to report original research, innovative projects, or novel programs related to global cancer research and control to submit abstracts to be considered for posters and publication in the Journal of Global Oncology (JGO).
Abstracts will be collected through two categories:
- Scientific – original research (abstract must include sections with the headlines: background, aims, methods, results, and significance).
- Program – innovative projects that move the field forward (abstracts must include sections with the headlines: background, goals, methods, outcomes, and next steps).
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NCI Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention Program
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The 2018 NCI Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention is currently accepting applications!
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) hosts the “NCI Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention” every year in Rockville, Maryland. The Curriculum provides training in cancer control, prevention, and research for domestic and international scientists and health care professionals. The Principles and Practice of Cancer Control Course, to be held July 9 - August 3, 2018, focuses on concepts, methods, issues, and applications related to cancer prevention and control. The Molecular Prevention Course, to be held August 6-10, 2018, provides a strong background in the molecular biology and genetics of cancer and an overview of basic laboratory approaches applied to cutting-edge research in the fields of molecular epidemiology, chemoprevention, biomarkers, and translational research.
The application deadline is February 1, 2018. A limited amount of financial support may be available for selected meritorious applications from low- and middle-income countries.
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NCDs and Trade Policy
in the Caribbean
Policy Brief
Read/download
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Civil Society Collaborating to Provide Integrated NCD / Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Delivery in Barbados
Read/download
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The global diabetes community will again unite at the IDF 2017 Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on 4-8 December 2017. The event will include more than 200 speakers, both world-renowned and newcomers, 230 national diabetes associations from 170 countries and high level participation from the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and other health organisations.
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Caribbean Cardiology Conference 2018
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World Cancer Conference 2018
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- Defeating malnutrition requires 'critical step change'
- Address NCDs via workplaces: it's everyone's business
- One month to go until the 2017 NCDA Forum begins!
- New HCC brief on impact of trade policies on NCDs
- WHO draft 13th General Programme of Work
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Please Follow Us and Our Members on Social Media
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If you want to share your organisations social media details in our roundup please let us know hcc@healthycaribbean.org.
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HCC News Roundup Archive - If you have missed any of our News Roundups you can view previous Roundups on our News Roundup Archive webpage here.
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The HCC is a regional network of Caribbean health NGOs and civil society organizations with the remit to combat chronic diseases (NCDs) and their associated risk factors and conditions. Our membership presently consists of more than 65 Caribbean-based health NGOs and over 55 not-for-profit organisations and, in excess of 200 individual members based in the Caribbean and across the globe.
To join the HCC email us at hcc@healthycaribbean.org
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The work of HCC would not be possible without core funding from Sagicor Life Inc
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The HCC promote the work of civil society throughout the Caribbean in a variety of ways including sharing of their materials, this is not an endorsement of their materials or messages. The information contained in this newsletter is for general information purposes only, we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct but any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. Through this newsletter you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of the HCC. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
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