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The Healthy Caribbean Coalition

February 20th - February 24th 2017

Feature

HCC Strategic Plan 2017-2021 Officially Launched

HCC Strategic Plan 2017-2021
The HCC Strategic Plan 2017 - 2021 was officially launched at the HCC Advocacy, Accountability and Conflict of Interest Meeting held in Antigua and Barbuda from Feb 17-18, 2017. 
 
The HCC is pleased to present its Strategic Plan 2017-2021, which underpins the work of the Coalition and shapes the contribution of civil society to non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention and control in the Caribbean over the next five years.  The Plan will guide the strategic direction of the HCC at a pivotal time in its development, as the HCC celebrates, in 2018, a momentous milestone – the 10-year anniversary of its formation. The Plan is also timely from a regional public health perspective, as the Caribbean this year marks the 10-year anniversary of the seminal Port of Spain Declaration on NCDs, providing a unique and potentially historic opportunity for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government to make bold regional and international statements, and recommit to priority action on NCD prevention and control in the region.
 
The Plan has five strategic pillars: accountability, advocacy, capacity development, communication, and sustainability. These five strategic pillars and their associated high level objectives which provide the basis for the development of annual operational plans with specific outputs, deliverables (products and services), activities, inputs, and resource needs, as well as a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework. 
 
The HCC 2017-2021 Strategic Plan charts a course for the work of the Coalition in the coming five years. The streamlining and prioritising of key actions will lay the foundation for HCC’s contribution to the region’s achievement of national, regional, and international NCD targets, reduction of inequities, and, ultimately, reduction in NCD-related premature mortality, as we navigate through the post-2015 development era.

Directors of the HCC on the occasion of the launch and release of the HCC 2017-2021 Strategic Plan pointed out that “the Plan will serve as the blueprint and instrument for continuing the process of bringing about a “wellness revolution” as called for at the first  meeting of the HCC leading to slowing of the tsunami of NCDs in the Caribbean”.

Read/Download HCC's Strategic Plan 2017-2021

A Spoonful of Sugar - The “Not So Sweet” Truth About Barbados’ Breakfast Cereals

(Inclusion of Barbados in WASH Global Breakfast Cereals Survey 2016)
Sugar in the Caribbean
World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) unmasked the ‘sugary and salty secrets’ behind big-box cereal brands – Kellogg’s and Nestlé/General Mills. The WASH survey highlighted a huge disparity in the nutritional content of breakfast cereals across the represented countries.

Healthy Caribbean Coalition was intrigued to see how the imported branded cereals presently consumed in Barbados compared. Shockingly, the cereal products consumed in Barbados are among the most sugar-packed in global comparison.

Over half of the cereals surveyed classed as “high sugar” cereals (over 22.5g of sugar per 100g of cereal); for children under 4 years of age, the recommended “free” sugar allowance of less than 5 percent of daily calorie intake is instantly blown with only one bowl of cereal for breakfast (WHO, 2015).  

Read the full report here.

References - Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015.
Hannah Ridgeon


This report was prepared by Healthy Caribbean Coalition Project Assistant, Hannah Ridgeon.
 
News

NCD Advocacy, Accountability, and Conflict of Interest Meeting

On Friday Feb 17, over 50 stakeholders met in Antigua and Barbuda for a one and a half day meeting to discuss NCD Advocacy, Accountability and conflict of Interest in the Caribbean. The meeting hosted by the Healthy Caribbean Coalition in partnership with the Antigua & Barbuda Ministry of Health and the Environment, had participants hailing from 11 Caribbean territories and representing all sectors of society including NCD NGOs, non health NGOs, medical associations, service clubs, private sector, academia, governments, and regional public health institutions. National and regional partners and supporters included: the Antigua & Barbuda Diabetes Association; the Antigua & Barbuda Medical Association; the American University of Antigua; the Peter Moores Foundation; the Open Campus of the University of the West Indies; CARPHA; and PAHO/WHO. The meeting was supported by the NCD Alliance as part of the Expanding Access to Care, Supporting Global, regional and Country level NCD Action Programme in partnership with Medtronic Philanthropy. 

Transcripts of the remarks made by the Honorable Molwyn Joseph Minister of Health & the Environment Antigua & Barbuda and Sir George Alleyne, Director Emeritus of PAHO and Patron of HCC can be found here.

For more information on the meeting including materials, presentations, photos and videos please visit our meeting webpage here.

The Regional Response to Childhood Obesity

Ban Food Advertising to Kids
Trinidad Express - Childhood obesity continues to be a serious public health concern in the region. Statistics show that more than 30 per cent of our Caribbean adolescents are overweight or obese, and risk developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases later in life. The economic burden of diabetes and hypertension alone is estimated at between 1.4 per cent and 8 per cent of GDP in the Caribbean, thus creating a significant drain on Caribbean economies, and threatening development prospects.

Recognising the critical need for leadership and cross sectoral action to address this health issue, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), and with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) hosted a meeting to develop a roadmap to prevent childhood obesity through improved food and nutrition security. Read more

Additional Coverage:
HCC - The Time to Act is Now 
CARPHA - The Regional Response to Childhood Obesity Intensifies
One Caribbean Health - Challenge to childhood obesity in the Caribbean gets a high-level boost 

Noncommunicable Diseases in Emergencies

NCDs in Emergencies
The range of threats to public health faced by countries worldwide is broad and highly diverse. The current preparedness and response is mainly geared for infectious diseases outbreaks, unsafe food and water and of late for health system preparedness. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) which include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases are usually not considered as part of the response. This brief, led by WHO and UNHCR, is intended primarily for emergency planners, emergency care professionals and policy-makers tasked with emergency response and preparedness. Read more

Alzheimer's Could be Caused by Excess Sugar: New Study Finds 'Molecular Link'

Alzheimer's Could be Caused by Excess Sugar
People who eat diets high in sugar could be at greater risk of Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests.

For the first time, scientists have established a "tipping point" link between blood sugar glucose and the degenerative neurological condition.

Researchers from the University of Bath found excess glucose damages a vital enzyme involved with inflammation response to the early stage of the disease. Read more

Fruit and Veg: For a Longer Life Eat 10-a-day

Fruit and Veg: For a Longer Life Eat 10-a-day
Eating loads of fruit and vegetables - 10 portions a day - may give us longer lives, say researchers.

The study, by Imperial College London, calculated such eating habits could prevent 7.8 million premature deaths each year. The team also identified specific fruit and veg that reduced the risk of cancer and heart disease. The analysis showed even small amounts had a health boon, but more is even better.

A portion counts as 80g (3oz) of fruit or veg - the equivalent of a small banana, a pear or three heaped tablespoons of spinach or peas. Read more

The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends eating 5 portions, or 400g, of fruit and vegetables every day.

More on this debate:
The Lancet

The Bare Essentials: Ensuring Affordable Access to Insulin

The cost and availability of insulin is a growing concern and an issue of worldwide importance. The skyrocketing list prices of insulin—along with those of certain other drugs and medical products—in the USA became a major political issue last year. More recently, in January, 2017, a lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Massachusetts alleging that the three pharmaceutical companies that control the insulin market in the USA and worldwide (Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi) have been raising list prices to exploit the drug-pricing system to benefit themselves and pharmacy benefit managers, which are the go-betweens that receive a cut of rebates paid to insurers. This process has led to increasing out-of-pocket costs for patients. Read more
PSA Testing

University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus - Faculty of Medical Sciences

University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus - Faculty of Medical Sciences
Applications for entry in September 2017 for:

Caribbean Cardiac Society - 32nd Caribbean Cardiology Conference - Early-Bird Registration Open

Caribbean Cardiac Society
Make your plans early to attend the 2017 Caribbean Cardiology Conference which will be held July 19 22, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Accommodation booking and early-bird registration are now open! Read more
FCTC Call for interest
HCC Urges Eligible Caribbean Countries to apply
FCTC 2030 - Strengthening WHO FCTC implementation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Consistent with decisions made by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the Convention Secretariat has initiated a new project to assist Parties to strengthen implementation of the treaty.

The importance of tobacco control in promoting development is recognised in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including specific reference to WHO FCTC implementation in target 3.a. Given the impact of tobacco on development, the implementation of the Convention will play an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The FCTC 2030 project aims to support Parties to the WHO FCTC that are eligible to receive official development assistance (ODA) to achieve the SDGs by advancing implementation of the Convention. The project will run from April 2017 until March 2021.

Read more and apply here.

2017 Student Research Paper Contest

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) announces its 2017 Student Research Paper Contest. PCD is looking for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, medical residency and recent post-doctoral fellows to submit papers relevant to the prevention, screening, surveillance, and/or population-based intervention of chronic diseases, including but not limited to arthritis, asthma, cancer, depression, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

PCD is a peer-reviewed electronic journal established to provide a forum for researchers and practitioners in chronic disease prevention and health promotion. The journal is published weekly by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Read more

International Women in Wellness Conference 2017

Yes She Can
Register here.

Funding and Training Opportunities

Tobacco Use and HIV in Low and Middle Income Countries (R01) Research Project Grant. Open Date: March 4, 2017

Tobacco Use and HIV in Low and Middle Income Countries (R21) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant. Open Date: March 4, 2017

Implementation Science for the Prevention and Treatment of Mental and/or Substance Use Disorders in Low- and Middle-income Countries (U01) Research Project – Cooperative Agreements. Open date: March 7, 2017

Call for mental health research proposals. The deadline for applications will be 11 April 2017, 4.00pm BST (3.00pm UTC)
Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados
Its A Sugar Cane Harvest
A labourer's diet 

Agrofest... 
Yes we'll be there - Look out for us...

Safety At Home
Beware Stroke Patient   

Read more here
NCD Alliance Newsletter
  • Multisectoral partnerships in action in the Caribbean
  • WHO backs South Africa commitment to tax SSB
  • CSW61: Healthy women, healthy livelihoods
  • Women and dementia -  A global challenge
  • New brief on NCDs in humanitarian emergencies
Read more
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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 50 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
The work of HCC would not be possible without core funding from Sagicor Life Inc
Sagicor Life Inc.
Copyright © 2017 Healthy Caribbean Coalition, All rights reserved.


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