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HCC Signs MOU to Advance Workplace Wellness Programmes in the Caribbean
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On Wednesday April 12th, 2017, the HCC signed an MOU with FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation to improve and contribute to chronic diseases prevention and control in the Caribbean.
The three year collaborative programme has 3 primary objectives:
- promotion of workplace wellness programmes throughout the Caribbean
- enhancement of education and increased awareness about NCDs
- fostering of a greater level of community volunteerism, in the response to NCDs.
Present at the signing were: Gary Brown, CEO of CIBC FirstCaribbean and Chairman of FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation; Debra King, CIBC/FCIB Director, Corporate Communications and Neil Brennan CIBC/FCIB Managing Director Human Resources. HCC was represented by President Sir Trevor Hassell and Executive Director, Maisha Hutton.
Two years ago the HCC held a meeting of Caribbean private sector businesses to assess their response to NCDs. At that meeting it was recognised that the private business sector in the region contributed in several ways to NCD prevention, but that the contribution of that sector could be improved with greater collaboration with civil society, with the power of business leveraged for advocacy on major public health issues, philanthropy, empowerment of communities and special groups, development of specific revenue streams and mobilization of core competencies.
The relationship that was initiated this week between the HCC and CIBC/FirstCaribbean reflects the outcomes of the meeting and are in keeping with the strategic pillars of accountability, advocacy, capacity development, communication and sustainability, of the HCC Strategic Plan, 2017-2021. This 3 year collaboration is a very important one for the HCC. |
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HCC President, Sir Trevor remarked on behalf of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of the HCC, that he ‘looked forward to a highly fruitful collaboration as the HCC and CIBC/First Caribbean seek to make a truly meaningful contribution to the prevention and control of chronic diseases through lifestyle enhancement of people of the Caribbean, and it is my personal aspiration that this relationship will serve as an international best practice model of how the private sector and civil society can work together to support the public sector in the “whole of society” approach to NCD prevention and control.’
Mr. Brown commented: 'We are extremely pleased to be embarking on this venture with HCC, and look forward to our partnership being a model for others in the private sector to follow. Non-communicable diseases are a serious concern for our societies across the region and a sure way to start winning the battle is through knowledge and education. Workplace wellness is a particular focus for our company. Our people spend a significant portion of their time at work, so it is in the interest of both the company and our employees to ensure the environment is conducive to a productive and healthy work culture. Healthy employees are happier and will deliver great service to our clients. This MOU goes further, as we hope to be able to share the knowledge we gain with our clients as well. So it’s a win-win for all - healthier employees serving healthier clients, leading to a healthier society as a whole.
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Trans Fat Ban Saved Lives in New York, Study Shows
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Heart attacks and strokes fell by more than 6 percent three years after some New York counties banned trans fats, researchers reported Wednesday.
A national ban on trans fats starts in 2018 and the study by a team at Yale University shows it may not only cut deaths, but non-fatal heart attacks and strokes as well.
Trans fats, found in oils used to make cookies, crackers, microwave popcorn and to fry fast food, stay fresh longer than liquid fats. But the chemical process used to make them solid like butter also makes them clog arteries just like butter or lard does.
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Lions Club Celebrates World Health Day
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In recognition of World Health Day, the Lions Club held their 10th Zone Health Fair. Speaking during the event that was held at Church Village Green in Bridgetown yesterday morning, Lion Shonda Forde, Zone Chairperson, expressed that it was a privilege to partner with key stakeholders as she believes that they all have a commitment to ensuring that Barbadians are constantly sensitised on emerging health concerns as well as increase awareness on the various issues that impact our productivity in the workplace or as ordinary citizens.
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Most Deaths in Caribbean Due to Non-communicable Diseases
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Road Town, BVI -- Director of the Chronic Disease Research Centre, Dr Alafia Samuels, has said that heart and respiratory diseases, stroke, cancer and diabetes are significantly affecting the people of the Caribbean.
Samuels gave an update on the Port of Spain Declaration signed in 2007 by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government in an effort to reduce chronic non-communicable diseases across the Caribbean.
Samuels said Trinidad and Guyana account for the highest rates of non-communicable diseases in the whole western hemisphere.
“Most of the deaths in the Caribbean are due to these diseases,” she said, adding that the issue is the age at which people are dying from these diseases.
She said in North America, on average, people in their 60s, 70s and 80s are dying from heart attack and stroke but in the Caribbean it is people in their 40s and 50s.
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WHO Series - Ten Years in Public Health 2007-2017
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On the 13th April 2017 the WHO launched a report that chronicles the evolution of global public health over the decade that Dr Margaret Chan has served as Director-General at WHO.
The report opens with a letter from Dr Chan who offers her reflections on some of the highlights and challenges of the past 10 years working to build a better, healthier future for the world’s people.
The first chapter examines WHO’s key role in promoting universal health coverage as the most powerful way to improve global health and development and lead the world towards greater fairness.
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International Cardiac Rehab Survey
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The School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University, Toronto, Canada in collaboration with the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, are endeavouring to survey every cardiac rehab program in the world, so they have an understanding of the status and gaps.
HCC encourages organisations involved with cardiac rehab programmes to help with this survey by emailing crehabglobal@gmail.com. For the purposes of this research, the survey would like to identify cardiac rehab programs that offer services to outpatients (e.g., Phase II). By cardiac rehab programs, they would like to study those that: (1) offer initial patient assessment, (2) supervised exercise, and (3) at least one other strategy to control risk factors.
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EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE - JUNE 2, 2017
Register online before June 2, 2017 to take advantage of discounted rates to attend the 5th Latin American and Caribbean Conference Tobacco or Health, which will take place on June 13-16, 2017 at the Radisson Hotel in Montevideo, Uruguay. Registration and hotel information can be found at www.tobaccoorhealthlac.org . The conference will have simultaneous English-Spanish translation.
The conference is being organized by the InterAmerican Heart Foundation (IAHF), the Uruguayan Honorary Commission for Cardiovascular Health and the Uruguayan Honorary Commission Against Cancer with support from the Pan American Health Organization, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and many others.
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Recorded Childhood Cancers Rise by 13% Worldwide, Study Finds
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Childhood cancers have risen across the globe by 13% over 20 years, according to data from the World Health Organization’s cancer section. Cancer in children is comparatively rare; when it does occur it is more likely to have been triggered by something in the child’s genetic makeup than by anything to do with lifestyle or the environment. Part of the reason for the rise is thought likely to be better detection. But experts say it is vital to collect better data from all over the world to establish all the causes, which could include infections and environmental pollutants.
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Alzheimer's Risk Factors Study Calls out Obesity in Midlife
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Healthy aging of the brain relies on the health of your heart and blood vessels when you’re younger, a new study reports. People with risk factors for heart disease and stroke in middle age are more likely to have elevated levels of amyloid, a sticky protein known to clump together and form plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers said.
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Mental Health Gap Action (mhGAP) Virtual Course 2017
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The purpose of this program is to enhance the capacity for early detection and management of mental health problems in Primary Health Care networks. This is to be done by improving the knowledge, skills and attitudes on the topic of mental health, as well as supporting actual practice change and integration to accommodate mental health into primary care practices.
This 22-week tutor-based course is scheduled to take place from May 22nd until October 30nd. The call for applicants will be open online on the Virtual Campus Portal ( www.campusvirtualsp.org) until April 27th. |
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NCD Alliance Webinar - Wednesday 10 May
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The NCD Alliance will be holding their next webinar on Wednesday 10th May from 10:00–11:30 EDT // 16:00 – 17:30 CET. The webinar will focus on preparations for the 70th World Health Assembly, together with other current topics. A more detailed agenda will be available in the coming weeks.
In addition, we invite our participants to submit questions prior to the webinar by emailing info@ncdalliance.org in advance. Participants will also be able to send questions and feedback during the webinar.
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Cancer Support Services 6th Annual Conference
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62nd CARPHA Annual Health Research Conference
Registration is now open
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CMPPA 4th Annual Medical Conference & Community Outreach Program
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Caribbean Cardiac Society - 32nd Caribbean Cardiology Conference - Early-Bird Registration Open
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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 |
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- Colombian Supreme Court protects right to health in recent ruling
- Fighting for equality carries massive health risks to women
- Cancer patient coalitions call on WHO for recognition
- Our next webinar will look at 2017 World Health Assembly
- Advancing the urgency for diabetes action
- Women Deliver: Special Webinar Series
- Full tuition scholarship to honor Yul Francisco Dorado
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From the NCD Alliance Digest
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NCDs News
Risk Factors News
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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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