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Heart Foundation of Jamaica Encourages Kids to Drink More Water!!
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Jessie Ripoll Primary Principal, Mr. O’Neil Stevens
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The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) in collaboration with HCC, and with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank, have embarked on a project which targets childhood obesity prevention among primary school students in Kingston, Jamaica. These children are also part of the Foundation’s Healthy Heart Clubs. The project involves three schools, namely, Alpha Primary, Jessie Ripoll Primary and Seaward Primary and Junior High. The expected outcome of the project is the incooperation of the formulated project guidelines into Jamaica’s National School’s Nutrition Policy.
The expected behavior change is for children in the schools which hosts Healthy heart Clubs to reduce the consumption of sugary sweetened beverages (SSBs) and increased their consumption of water. The schools are expected to reduce their sale of sugary drinks from their canteens, and promote the purchase and consumption of water.
The project is also supported by other stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Education and the National Water Commission (NWC), Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport among other stakeholder groups.
Data for the project is being collected by means of pre and post intervention surveys which are completed by students as well as vendors. The health promotion interventions include the appointment of a weekly Water Day at each school and the continuous educational campaign regarding the harmful effects of consuming too many sugar sweetened beverages. |
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Heart Foundation provides more Water Access points at Jessie Ripoll Primary. In the picture: Mrs. Nola Phillpotts Brown (centre), Heart Foundation in collaboration with the HCC COP project, hands over 2 water coolers to Jessie Ripoll Primary. The school’s Principal, Mr. O’Neil Stevens (right), receives them while Public Relations Officer, National Water Commission (NWC) Mr. Delano Williams looks on.
The water in this presentation was donated by the NWC. They will also provide “water quality reports” for the pilot schools in this COP project.
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The HFJ will be donating 2 water coolers to each school which should encourage the students to drink more water and reduce their consumption of sugar sweetened beverages SSBs. The NWC have also provided bottled tap water to the schools that will help to boost their water day promotions.
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Vendors at each school received branded bibs promoting drinking more water
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The campaign also targets the vendors of each school by incorporating them into the water day promotions and providing them with branded bibs that display the logo of the HFJ and slogans about water.
Videos in support of drinking more water and weekly Water Day can be found here. |
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Lake Health and Wellbeing Childhood Obesity Podcasts
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Volunteers from the St Kitts Department of Youth Empowerment’s Volunteer Corp, Marecia, Eurecia, Chris and Vikell are working with Lake Health and Wellbeing to promote the HCC's Childhood Obesity Prevention Campaign. One of their projects was to create a podcast series to explore childhood obesity, in the series they touch on causes and solutions, and discuss the HCC’s childhood obesity prevention petition. The four episodes can be found on the links below.
Lake Health and Wellbeing produces regular podcasts on various topics, these can be found here. |
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Ministry of Public Health of Guyana Receives WHO ‘No Tobacco’ Day Award
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(From left) Dr. William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO Representative Guyana hands over the certificate of recognition to Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo receives the World No Tobacco Day award from Director of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, Dr. Anselm Hennis (DPI photo).
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised Guyana’s efforts, towards tobacco control by presenting the Ministry of Public Health with the World No Tobacco Day award.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) said that a brief awards ceremony was held at the Marriott Hotel in observance of the occasion.
PAHO/WHO Representative to Guyana, Dr. William Adu-Krow said that the award is evidence that Guyana is making strides in the Americas to clamp down on health defects from tobacco use.
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Guyana’s Tobacco Control Act: One Year On
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Ensuring the protection of a country’s population from the adverse effects of tobacco is a marathon process, requiring stamina, coordination, perseverance, dedication and support; but the payoff is huge - the improved health and wellbeing of citizens.
Guyana is one of the latest countries in the region to run this marathon. On 27 July 2017 and after a five-year process, these efforts culminated in the passage of the National Tobacco Act, one of the most complete tobacco control laws in the Americas. This outstanding success however, brings a new set of challenges, and the race continues to ensure the Right to Health of the citizens of Guyana with the enforcement of these measures to protect the population from the dangers of tobacco smoke.
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Hon Wilfred Erlington, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belize
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Dr Jorge Polanco, NCD Focal Point (PAHO-INCAP), Belize
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Mrs Kathy Godinez, President Nursing and Midwives Council, Belize
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See a gallery of Who's Signed here.
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Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) has a Resounding Presence at the Annual CARPHA Meeting in St. Kitts
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ECHORN Team at the Annual CARPHA Meeting, St. Kitts, June 2018
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The ECHORN team had a strong presence at this year’s Annual Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Meeting in St. Kitts, June 14-16. ECHORN is a first-of-its kind regional research collaboration between the Caribbean islands of Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. ECHORN promotes regional research efforts around non-communicable diseases in the region through community and policy-engaged partnership. Through its network and its flagship Cohort Study of 3000 participants, ECHORN generates critical research that is directly relevant to regional initiatives to reduce the high burden of non-communicable diseases.
CARPHA Meeting delegates attended the ECHORN concurrent session that offered an overview of the ECHORN Cohort Study, discussed the prevalence of alcohol use and abuse among the elderly, described the challenges associated with the large number of obese participants perceiving their weight to be normal, assessed the high prevalence of inadequate physical activity in cohort participants, and reported on the prevalence of household food insecurity and its association with chronic disease. During the question and answer session, CARPHA meeting attendees indicated that they valued the cross-island and multidisciplinary approach that ECHORN takes to addressing the burden of non-communicable diseases in the Caribbean.
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Adelia Bovell-Benjamin of the Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation Shares Her Experience of the UN Interactive Hearing on NCDs
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Adelia Bovell-Benjamin a Director of the Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation, Trinidad and Tobago, attended the recent Interactive Hearing in Preparation for the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs as a part of the HCC delegation. This is a report on here experience of the meeting.
The UN Interactive Hearing, held on July 5th in NYC, was an enriching experience from which I came away with so much more information, knowledge and confidence regarding the need for NCD advocacy for policy at governmental level. |
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It also brought home clearly the role of civil society in advocacy, gaining political support and implementation. The intention is to put the information gained to full use. The range of pre-meeting (NCD Alliance), opening segment, panels and discussions presented with new ways to deal with some of the challenges in advocacy and policy for NCDs.
The experiences and information gained at the meeting will be shared with members of the Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation (BCDF) and others near and far to help promote the cause. But, of course, the real measure of this meeting lies in how it will affect HCC and BCDF, or more precisely, how it will affect the actions we the delegates will take after this meeting. We at BCDF look forward to continue working with HCC, Maisha, Dr. Chin and Dr. Chea. I also hope that our delegation will continue what we have heard in the meeting. It was such a pleasurable experience.
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Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation Website | Facebook | Twitter
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See more voices from across the Caribbean in support of the UNHLM on NCDs here
Add your voice and send us a video calling on your head of government or state to attend a high-level meeting.
hcc@healthycaribbean.org
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Caribbean Cancer Societies Pushing for Tobacco Taxation
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Earlier this month CARICOM Heads committed to attend the 3rd UN High Level Meeting on NCDs in September 2018 and endorsed six priorities on which the Region should advocate for during the negotiation of the Political Declaration, including: establishing and maintaining a smoke-free status for the Region. Caribbean Cancer societies are playing their role by joining the American Cancer Society’s global campaign to promote tobacco taxes. Currently from the CARICOM grid for NCDs in the region only only 6 of 20 countries assessed have a tobacco tax more than 50% of the final selling price.
CSOs which are part of the global initiative are:
For more information about Prevent20, the participating CSOs, and general resources, please visit our Prevent20 page.
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St. Kitts & Nevis PM Hon. Timothy Harris Lobbies for Full Regional Support on NCDs at UN Meeting in September
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(fourth from right) Hon. Timothy Harris Prime Minister St. Kitts & Nevis, at the recent 39th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
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Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis the Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris used the recently concluded 39th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) July 4-6 to advance discussions on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean region.
Prime Minister Harris, in his capacity as lead head in CARICOM’s Quasi-Cabinet for Human Resource Development and Health, called attention to the third United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) to be held Sept. 27 at UN Headquarters in New York. At the UN meeting, world leaders are expected to undertake a comprehensive review of the global and national progress achieved in putting measures in place that protect people from dying too young from heart and lung diseases, cancers and diabetes.
In this regard, Prime Minister Harris strongly encouraged CARICOM member states to be represented at the highest level at the upcoming meeting and reminded regional leaders that CARICOM was the body that initiated attention to the threat of NCDs and having it placed as a priority on the international agenda, which ultimately led to the first UN High Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs in 2011.
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Programme to Combat Obesity in Children in T&T
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Leah Lewis, CEO of To’ren Healthcare Consultancy has launched a Summer Weight Loss Camp for children aged eight to 18 years old. Lewis said she was divinely inspired to “create a health promotion programme in the form of a vacation camp that specifically targets overweight and obese children and teenagers.
“I used my knowledge of public health and health promotion, coupled with my desire to do something that hasn’t been done before locally to such great magnitude, to design the camp. Considering the prevalence of obesity locally and globally, I’d say that the camp is quite timely in its appearance.” Lewis said the goals for the children include both weight loss and sustained behaviour change. Campers will be separated for activities into the groups of eight-12 years old, 13-15 years old, and 16-18 years old.
Physical activities will include aerobics, martial arts/kick boxing, Zumba, swimming and water-aerobics, along with field trips. |
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PM Urges Jamaicans to Commit to 30 Minutes of Exercise per Day
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Prime Minister Andrew Holness (2nd right) and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (right), applaud as they cross the finish line for the Caricom road race, held on Saturday (July 7) in Montego Bay. The race followed the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, which took place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James from July 4-6.
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Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness is encouraging Jamaicans to commit to 30 minutes of physical activity every day in order to improve their health and reduce the risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD).
“I want to encourage you all to get the message out that ‘Jamaica Moves’. We are going to do our 30 minutes of exercise every day and I hope that this will keep the doctors away,” he said.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the awards ceremony for the CARICOM road race held on Saturday (July 7) in the Montego Bay.
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CDB, PAHO Train Regional Mental Health Professionals for Disaster Aftermath
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As the Region prepares for possible impacts from the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) have embarked on a project to build resilience and psychosocial support across the Caribbean.
Over the period July 9 to 12, mental health professionals from across the Region will attend a Training-of-Trainers workshop at PAHO’s offices in Barbados.
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The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2017 Hypertension Guideline: Implications for Incorporation in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Other Resource‐Limited Settings
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The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and several other organizations jointly produced the 2017 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults, which was published in late 2017. While comprehensive and instructive, some components of this guideline were met by controversy and welcomed debate. The major controversial issues include the redefinition and reclassification of hypertension, new blood pressure (BP) treatment thresholds and targets, and the inclusion of individual cardiovascular risk evaluation in treatment decisions. Additionally, the guideline places increased emphasis on lifestyle modification, out‐of‐office BP measurements, fixed‐dose combination drug therapy, and a team‐based approach to the management of hypertension.
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Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Hypertension Programs. a Collaboration Between the Pan American Health Organization and World Hypertension League
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The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)–World Hypertension League (WHL) Hypertension Monitoring and Evaluation Framework is summarized. Standardized indicators are provided for monitoring and evaluating national or subnational hypertension control programs. Five core indicators from the World Health Organization hearts initiative and a single PAHO‐WHL core indicator are recommended to be used in all hypertension control programs. In addition, hypertension control programs are encouraged to select from 14 optional qualitative and 33 quantitative indicators to facilitate progress towards enhanced hypertension control.
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Multi-Sectorial Approach Recommended by Who
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Assistant Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Joy St John, has urged Barbados to take a multi-sectorial approach to climate change, health and other environmental issues.
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She made these recommendations recently during a joint-ministerial courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr Jerome Walcott. He was joined by Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Bostic; Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Trevor Prescod; and other government officials.
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Dr St John explained that a multi-sectorial approach was critical in assisting Barbados to assume a leadership role in the areas of climate change, health and environment.
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UICC Collective Call to Action to Eliminate Cervical Cancer
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We want to show the world that civil society organisations across the globe are ready, willing, and able to step up to the challenge to eliminate cervical cancer. We will be reaching out to civil society organisations beyond the cancer community to sign up also.
The UN Partnership on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health(link is external), UNAIDS, UNFPA and GAVI have already signalled that they will be reaching out their own constituencies with the same message.
HCC Has signed this call to action we urge our members to do the same.
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Major New Study Shows Chile's Sugar Tax has Sharply Reduced Sales of Sugary Drinks
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Around the world more than 20 countries, including the UK, Mexico and France, have introduced a tax on sugary drinks in a bid to cut consumption and curb a growing global obesity epidemic.
(Credit Rebecca Blackwell/AP)
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Chile’s sugar tax seems to be successfully chipping away at the nation’s preference for all things sweet, according to new research. The findings will likely encourage other countries battling their own obesity epidemics.
The study by an international team led by researchers at the University of York looked at sales of sugary drinks in Chile between 2011 and 2015. It found purchases fell by 21.6 per cent following the introduction of the tax.
Marc Suhrcke, a professor in Global Health Economics at the University of York and one of the study's authors said the study showed that even small price hikes are enough to motivate consumers to change their buying habits.
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Lashes for Fast Food Restaurants
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From left: Government senator Dr Crystal Haynes, representative for the United Nation’s Children’s Fund Dr Aloys Kamuragiye and founder of The Schools Against Non-Communicable Diseases, Miss World Barbados Ashley Lashley at yesterday’s international conference on NCDs. (Picture by SDB Media.)
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An international organisation has taken fast food restaurants on the island to task for their role in the growing number of cases of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
While representative for the United Nation’s Children’s Fund, Dr Aloys Kamuragiye, made it clear his statement was not an attempt to kill the industry, he charged the businesses could and should play a greater role in the fight against NCDs.
“They have also to think, it is a matter of social responsibility. They have to be part of the stakeholders to help Barbados [protect] its population . . . from these non-communicable diseases. These are the key players, they have to look at what meals they serve and how they prepare the ingredients. It is not about stopping business. The human body needs some amount of fat, minerals, proteins . . . . Nutrition is about balancing what you eat,” he said.
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Schools’ Menu to be Revised
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Speaking at the same event Government Senator, Dr Crystal Haynes, made a promise to revise the menu of the School Meals Department to ensure Barbadian children are exposed to healthier food choices, she revealed that a reassessment of the menu was currently under consideration by the new Barbados Labour Party administration.
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Obesity Patient Summit 10-11 October
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To coincide with World Obesity Day, World Obesity will be holding a Patient Summit on October 10-11 in London focusing on the theme of ‘Weight Stigma.’ Patients and people living with obesity are invited to explore the perceptions of obesity by healthcare professionals, media, policy-makers and society and receive training to advocate on a global platform.
Travel and accommodation will be covered for up to 20 patients and anyone interested should complete this application form by July 31st. |
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NCD Child: NCD Advocacy Resources for Youth by Youth
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As a follow-up to the Call to Action: Youth, NCDs, & 2018, NCD Child is pleased to share 2 new resources developed by youth advocates to help promote the inclusion of young people in policy-making and policy targets. Over the past 6 months, young advocates have continued to be vocal about the need for policy makers, civil society, and others to walk the talk with regards to youth inclusion in the global NCD agenda.
To maintain momentum and hold our governments accountable, youth champions encourage their colleagues, networks, and peers to reach out to their Ministers over the next several months in the lead-up to the 3rd UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs. The Next Generation includes over 3.1 billion young people under the age of 25. Now is the time for us to speak up, loudly, and often! |
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Common Heart Drug Recalled in 22 Countries for Possible Cancer Link
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A common drug used to control blood pressure and help prevent heart failure is being recalled in 22 countries because it contains a chemical that poses a potential cancer risk.
Valsartan is off-patent and is used as a component of other generic medicines. Novartis, the company that originally developed the drug, said Sandoz valsartan and valsartan/HCT film-coated tablets are being recalled since they "do not meet our high quality standards." Pharmacies in the UK are advised to recall valsartan batches containing medicines made by Dexcel Pharma Ltd and Accord Healthcare.
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- More action needed now, civil society tells governments
- ENOUGH of pitiful investments to address NCDs: Katie Dain
- New blog and video series on NCDs in Nepal
- Speak louder for people with diabetes and other NCDs
- Caribbean leaders making strides on NCDs - HCC letter
- Challenges to new WHO physical activity plan
- Save the date: Next NCDA Webinar - 31 July
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From the NCD Alliance Digest
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NCDs News
Risk Factors News
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Key Messages From Our Publications
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HCC Advocacy Priorities for the 3rd UNHLM on NCDs Outcome Document
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Preparing CARICOM Ministries of Foreign Affairs for the 3rd UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Beyond: a briefing note contribution from civil society
Read more
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The Caribbean NCD Forum – Technical Document: Supporting national and regional advocacy in the Caribbean in the lead up to the 3rd UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in 2018
Read more
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Diabetes Association of Barbados Camp Pride 2018
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Caribbean Cardiology Conference 2018
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NCD Alliance Global Week for Action on NCDs
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World Heart Day 2018 September 29
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World Cancer Conference 2018
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International Conference - Climate Change: Impacts on Food & Nutrition Security
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World Congress of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Health
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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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