a civil society alliance for combatting chronic disease in the caribbean

Links | About Us | Contact Us

World Class Financial Services

a civil society alliance for combatting chronic disease in the caribbean

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition on Facebook

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition encourages you to join the Health Revolution! Let's urge heads of Government in CARICOM states to attend this summit on NCDs

Search the HCC Website

Healthy Caribbean Coalition - News

Regular Interesting Links - featuring a collection of links taken from websites across the globe including news stories, publications, information, discussion, debate and much more. Check back on a daily basis to stay in touch with what's happening in battle for a healthier life. more ...........

LETTER OF THE DAY - Kill Smoking Habit Before It Kills You - Published: Friday February 3, 2012. THE EDITOR, Sir: A man walked into a store holding his little girl's hand and continued to smoke his cigarette. The sales agent greeted him and asked him why he was smoking in the presence of the child. He replied, "A nuh nutt'n, everybody a do it: me a do it, her mama a do it, a nuh nutt'n. She betta get used to it!" more ...........

Barbados upgrades its role in the fight against cancer - Barbados has scaled up its efforts by joining the global fight against cancer through the establishment of the Barbados National Registry for Cancer (BNR-Cancer). This population-based registry started in 2009 and collects cancer data on the prevalence and outcomes of malignant disease. This registry is one arm of the tripartite Barbados National Registry for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, a Ministry of Health-led initiative, for the surveillance of Cancer, Stroke and Acute Myocardial Infarction nationally. Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are now the leading causes of ill health and death globally and Barbados is similarly affected. more ...........

Women at high risk for heart disease - 1/31/2012 By Patricia Thangaraj. Heart disease is the number one killer in women worldwide. This according to CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), Gina Pitts, who explained that women increased their risk and are more vulnerable at menopause. They also are at a greater risk if overweight or are obese, a major risk factor for heart disease. more ...........

National Salt Awareness Week 2012 - will focus on salt reduction and the prevention of stroke. The week will run from 26th March - 1st April. Stroke is the third biggest killer in the UK and the leading cause of severe adult disability. Salt reduction and stroke prevention has been selected as the topic for SAW 2012 because salt is the major factor that raises blood pressure and high blood pressure is the single most important risk factor for stroke - responsible for 62% of strokes.. more ...........

Money Going Up In Smoke - Published: Saturday | January 21, 2012. THE EDITOR, Sir: My fellow Jamaicans, it is the new year, and you have resolved to take better care of yourselves, eating right and exercising regularly, however, for some, they will be facing an uphill challenge - that of smoking. The temptations are great and they continue to be fed by the loopholes which exist in our lack of effective current tobacco legislation which aids and abets those already operating in the marketplace, and those now entering the market. more ...........

Multi-sectoral approach needed to tackle obesity, says doctor - BY TANESHA MUNDLE Friday, January 27, 2012. THERE is urgent need for a multi-sectoral approach to ensure the availability of healthy foods to tackle Jamaica's growing problem of obesity. The observation was made by Dr Fitzroy Henry, director of the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute at the University of the West Indies. more ...........

Jodie Myrie takes on Carreras with bama’s cigarettes - BY AL EDWARDS Friday, January 13, 2012 LOCAL businessman Jodie Myrie has launched bama’s cigarettes in Jamaica and has plans to take the brand into the English-speaking Caribbean. bama’s cigarettes will be distributed and operated through Myrie’s company Pakia Limited based at March Pen Road in Spanish Town and are manufactured by Montepaz in Uruguay. Pakia also distributes Harlem Bluntz, the best-selling machine-rolled flavoured cigars in the country. more ...........

Canada reduced Junk Food Consumption by Banning Ads - Every parent knows that come Saturday morning, their kids will be asking for the hottest new toy, the fun new cereal, and to go to the drive thru for the kid’s meal that comes with the must-have collectible action figure. And parents know this because Saturday morning cartoons are littered with company advertisements aimed at their target audience, their captive audience: children.. more ...........

Fighting Together to Reduce Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases - A partnership betweeen the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and Knights Pharmacy, Barbados. As one of the oldest pharmacies in Barbados, Kinights Pharmacy, realises that to affect change in the scourge of these diseases a combined societal effort is required. Read the complete article (PDF) here or download (right click and save target/link as)

Krystal clear passion - By Gercine Carter - Nation News - January 01, 2012 At age 24, Krystal Boyea is fast becoming the recognized face and voice of diabetes in Barbados. As the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) first regional youth representative for the North American and Caribbean region, she is on a mission. Through her advocacy, Krystal aims to raise awareness about diabetes by being a powerful voice for prevention, education, access to quality care, improved quality of life, and the end of discrimination worldwide. more ...........

Hard and Fast Hands-only CPR - Vinnie Jones shows how hard and fast Hands-only CPR to Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees can help save the life of someone who has had a cardiac arrest. The Hollywood hardman is starring in a British Heart Foundation TV advert urging more people to carry out CPR in a medical emergency. more ...........

Monitoring framework and targets for the prevention and control of NCDs - Consultation on a comprehensive global monitoring framework for NCDs and voluntary global targets for the prevention and control of NCDs. 20 December ׀ 2011 Geneva -- In response to paragraphs 61 and 62 of the Political Declaration of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (resolution 66/2), WHO has developed a discussion paper outlining a comprehensive global monitoring framework and the technical background for developing a set of voluntary global targets for the prevention and control of NCDs, for consideration by Member States. more ...........

Brazil to Become World’s Largest Smoke-Free Country - Historic Tobacco Control Law Adds Momentum to Latin America’s Progress In Fighting Tobacco Use WASHINGTON, DC – The Brazilian government has taken historic action to protect the health of the nation’s more than 190 million citizens by enacting a comprehensive tobacco control law. Signed by President Dilma Rousseff today more ...........

CARICOM 2nd Annual meeting of NCDs Focal Points and Chief Medical Officers. - Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. 11-13 December 3 members of the executive committee of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition attended by invitation, Joanne De Freitas, David Affonso and Professor Trevor Hassell. more ...........

First Meeting of UN Agencies on the implementation of the Political Declaration on NCDs - Documents available for download are: Message of the President of the General Assembly, Summary report of the meeting, Discussion paper, Background paper, Concept note. more ...........

Is fried chicken setting back development in the Caribbean? - The Caribbean: Are people getting sick from eating fried chicken? We've all been there... it's lunch time, we're hungry, we don't have much time to wait, don't want to spend too much money, but want to make healthy choices. So, what are our options? Well, on a recent mission in the Caribbean the choices were fried chicken or stew with fried chicken, not many other choices. more ...........

Funds needed to stem health burden - Dr. Knox Hagley Chairman The Heart Foundation of Jamaica. Dear Editor, The recently concluded United Nations meeting reviewed the impact of the chronic non-communicable diseases on peoples throughout the world and brought into focus the need for urgent measures to be implemented to stem the high and rising health burden created by these diseases. Our Minister of Health Rudyard Spencer expressed disappointment over the lack of commitment to provide funds to countries to assist in tackling the issues. The meeting was not conceived to be a fund-raising venture; although the hope is that the UN exposé will prove to be a step in that direction. more ...........

Stop smoking, look after yourselves, Davidson urges - HEAD of the School of Public Health at the University of Technology (UTech) Professor Winston Davidson has urged young Jamaicans to quit smoking and pay more attention to their oral health. At the same time, Dr Davidson, who was speaking at Tuesday's launch of Oral Health Month at the University of Technology, said that the move was crucial in improving the country's dental care services. more ...........

Heart Foundation head lobbies government - TV Jamaica, Date Aired: 10th October 2011. A call is being made this evening for the government to become more responsible and put the necessary legislative framework in place to reduce the country's health bill. It has been revealed that Caribbean countries including Jamaica are finding it difficult to finance the health care for individuals who are chronically ill. more ...........

Reflections on the UN High Level Meeting on NCDs - J. Stephen Morrison Senior Vice President, CSIS & Director, Global Health Policy Center at CSIS The September 19-20 High-Level Meeting at the UN General Assembly was a high-profile, somewhat risky and ultimately sobering test of the proposition that non-communicable disorders (NCDs) could become a new global health priority. Hopes were high among advocates that the meeting would be a transformative historical moment, akin to the 2001 UN High-Level Meeting that put a spotlight on HIV/AIDs. more ...........

Tobacco farmers urged to cultivate more of the crop - 24, September 2011. A top executive at cigarette distributing company, Carreras, has declared that farmers should have the right to invest in tobacco cultivation while the demand for the product exists. Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Chris Brown, made the comment against the background of a recent Sunday Gleaner story. The story stated that the Jamaican government was facing censure the international community over its perceived failure to stand by its international obligations to stem tobacco cultivation in the country. more ...........

We must deal with those terrible diseases - By DEBORAH CHEN Saturday, September 24, 2011. WE would like to congratulate the Jamaica Observer for its excellent and timely editorial "Fluffy might be nice, but it is not healthy". We are facing an epidemic in Jamaica, the Caribbean and internationally, and until we recognise it as such, corrective and preventive action will elude us. more ...........

Tobacco worries - Jamaica in treaty contravention - Sunday September 18, 2011. The Jamaican Government seems set to face censure at a high-level international meeting which starts tomorrow in New York over its perceived failure to stand by its international obligations to stem tobacco cultivation in the country.A Rural Agriculture Development Authority 2011 study has found that Jamaica is in breach of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to moderate cultivation, as hundreds of tobacco farms have sprung up all over the country. more ...........

What is the MoH doing about tobacco? - Friday, September 16, 2011. The Smokefree Action Coalition wishes to join the writer in the September 15 Observer in expressing its concern about Jamaica's position on tobacco. Cigarette advertisements abound in Jamaica. Is that okay? Letter to the editor by Rosemarie Greene. more ...........

Concern at tardiness honouring obligations under FCTC - allow me to congratulate Angellique Virtue who on September 15 asked, "What is the Gov't doing about tobacco cultivation?" This very well written and researched article explored the challenges we face in Jamaica regarding the delayed tabling of tobacco control legislation and the troubling news that the government is contemplating increasing tobacco production. Letter to the editor by Dr. Hagley. more ...........

What is the gov't doing about tobacco cultivation? - Thursday, September 15, 2011. Dear Editor, This is an open letter to Health Minister Rudyard Spencer. Over the last few months, I have listened and observed throughout the media the debate over tobacco control and the pending passage of new legislation to restrict smoking and control the distribution and the marketing of tobacco and its related products. Letter to the editor by Angellique Virtue. more ...........

Health Ministry Praised for Developing Strategic Plan to Combat Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases - KINGSTON - The Ministry of Health has been commended for taking steps toward developing a national strategic plan to combat chronic non-communicable diseases. This commendation was extended by Pan-American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Representative in Jamaica, Dr. Hugo Prado-Monje, at the opening of a two-day workshop, titled ‘National Consultation on Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases’, at the Wyndham Hotel, in New Kingston, on September 6. more ...........

Barbados goes to the UN - Barbados Advocate Newspaper 21st August 2011 - Most of the world’s leaders, including CARICOM Prime Ministers, will be making their way to the United Nations building in September to tackle one of the most difficult challenges our world faces: how to save the lives of 52 million people who are expected by 2030 to die each year of non-communicable diseases. more ...........

Barbados goes to the UN - Barbados Nation Newspaper 17th August 2011 - Most of the world’s leaders, including CARICOM Prime Ministers, will be making their way to the United Nations building in September to tackle one of the most difficult challenges our world faces: how to save the lives of 52 million people who are expected by 2030 to die each year of non-communicable diseases. more ...........

Journalists can play a key role in raising awareness of non-communicable diseases - Workshop brings together policymakers, campaigners, media and youth. Caribbean public health experts and civil society groups have stressed the pivotal role that media can play in raising awareness about non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which kill more than 34 million people across the world each year. more ...........

New Commonwealth film highlights fight against spread of Non-communicable Diseases - The Commonwealth Secretariat has produced the first of a series of advocacy DVDs on youth and Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) ahead of September’s United Nations High Level Meeting on NCDs. more ...........

International Union for IUHPE - International Union for Health promotion and Education Call to Action - The great deal of global activity around non-communicable disease prevention over the last ten months offers a significant opportunity for the health promotion field and the IUHPE has been very active in advocating for health promotion approaches. more ...........

Collection of recent interesting news articles published across the Caribbean - Jamaica Observer Online - Concern at tardiness to enact tobacco law, Jamaica Gleaner - Gov't dragging feet on smoking ban, Diabetes Health -- Monitor Your Blood Sugars While You Drive?, Barbados Advocate - Tobacco control treaty embraced globally but needs boost on the ground Jamaica Observer - Taxes burn Carreras - Cigarette company says high levy helping to grow illegal tobacco trade, Jamaica Observer - Carreras continues push for local tobacco legislation, Guyana Trakker News - Tobacco control treaty embraced globally but needs boost on the ground - World Tobacco Day, Trinidad Express - Tobacco industry battling with Caricom govts. more ...........

CDRC Diabetes Radio Feature - The Barbados-based Chronic Disease Research Centre, CDRC, a division of the University of the West Indies, and which is headed by Professor Anselm Hennis, is following up a previous four-year study on diabetic amputations with a new five-year investigation. The study is headed by Professor Clive Landis of the Edwin Cohen Laboratory for Vascular Research, a unit within the CDRC. more ...........

U.S. finalizes picture warning requirements for cigarette packages - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday June 21, 2011 announced the final 9 picture-based warnings that will appear on the top 50% of the front and back of cigarette packages. The warnings include a toll-free quitline number. As of Sept. 22, 2012, manufacturers will not be able to manufacture cigarettes without the new warnings on packaging, and as of Oct. 22, 2012, manufacturers will not be able to distribute cigarettes without the new warnings on packaging. more ...........

Smoking: the right to choose - Jamaica Observer Online, June 18, 2011 -The matter of choice has been raised in discussions in relation to tobacco smoking. I would like to raise a few points for consideration regarding this issue. Data from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey 2008 show that 40 per cent of smokers initiate the habit by the age of 16. more ...........

Food Prices Change World Diets, Study Says - More Than Half Of Americans Changed Their Diets In Past 2 Years - By Nick Thompson, CNN - June 15, 2011. People around the world are changing their diets because of soaring food prices, according to a new study.The majority of people in most countries surveyed by international aid agency Oxfam said they're no longer eating the same kind of food as they did two years ago, with 39 percent globally blaming rising food costs and another 33 percent citing health reasons. more ...........

Collection of recent interesting news articles published across the Caribbean - Kaieteur News Online - Campaign to address non-communicable disease launched - Text to save lives… Jamaica Observer Online - Ban smoking in public places. Jamaica Observer Online - Tobacco Bill to go before Parliament. Jamaica Observer Online - Letters to the Editor - Enact tobacco law quickly. Jamaica Gleaner Online - LETTER OF THE DAY - Kick butt on tobacco smoking in public spaces - Guyanna Times Online - Digicel in advocacy campaign on chronic disease. more ...........

Banning smoking in public places - June 2 2011 - THE EDITOR, Sir: ACCORDING TO The World Health Organization (WHO), the harmful effects of tobacco smoking currently cause 5.4 million deaths each year. Notwithstanding, the WHO and those who advocate for smoking bans internationally are met with much resistance from some local governments, smokers, tobacco growers and the big players in the tobacco industry. more ...........

Smoking dangers - June 1 2011 - Speaking recently on “World No Tobacco Day”, Minister of Health Leslie Ramsammy bemoaned the lack of regional cooperation on reaching a standard on labelling and packaging of cigarettes. This lassitude ignores the incredible devastation wrought by this scourge. The figures alone are very stark: Extensive prospective epidemiologic data clearly establish that cigarettes cause over three million deaths annually across the globe – with over one million of those deaths due to lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of lung cancer. more ...........

Guyana moving forward in tobacco fight - 30 May 2011 - As World No Tobacco day is observed - Come May 31, Guyana will join the world in celebrating “World No Tobacco Day”. The day was designated since 1987.The focus for this year will be on implementing legislation that will protect the public from the hazards of smoking. Smoking kills almost 6 million people every year and the World Health Organisation is urging all its member states, including Guyana, to pass legislation that will reduce and prevent these deaths. more ...........

Everyone has a role to play in fighting CNCD's - Addressing the chronic disease challenge requires a multisectoral and multidisciplinary response from all of society. that is according to Chairman of the National Commission for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs), Professor Trevor Hassell more ...........

Sir George calls for shared Commonwealth approach to NCD's - SIR GEORGE ALLEYNE, Director Emeritus of the Pan American Health Orhanisation (PAHO) has promised a shared Commonwealth approach ahead of the UN High Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs (non-communicable diseases), which takes place on September 19 and 20 in New York. more ...........

WHO warns of enormous burden of chronic disease - By Kate Kelland, Health and Science Correspondent. (Reuters) - Chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease and diabetes have reached global epidemic proportions and now cause more deaths than all other diseases combined, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. more ...........

New WHO report reveals an ‘impending disaster’ caused by a rise in deaths from heart disease and other non-communicable diseases - The World Heart Federation welcomes report recommendations for a ‘forceful response’ to the potential tragedy posed by non-communicable diseases, particularly in the developing world more ...........

CARICOM Ministers in Russia for health talks - MOSCOW, Russia, Friday April 29, 2011 – Two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministers of Health have travelled here to participate in three major global health events on Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs), as the region steps up its preparation for the UN High Level Meeting on Chronic Disease prevention later this year. more ...........

Club owner wants to accommodate smokers - 29, April 2011 Jamaica Observer. I think we already know that smoking kills, and likewise we are also aware of the benefits of tobacco, so I will not dwell too much on those aspects. Being the owner of a club can be a very hard task and in an effort to make my job easier, I try to please as many of my patrons as possible because it is difficult to please all - where smoking is concerned. more ...........

WHO: Non-communicable diseases are world's top killers - 29, April 2011 Jamaica Observer. LOW and middle-income countries, including Jamaica, accounted for nearly 80 per cent of the 36.1 million deaths caused by non- communicable diseases in 2008, according to the first World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Status Report on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) launched Wednesday. more ...........

Government aims for physically fit citizens Dominica News Online - April 28th. The Dominica Labour Party-led government has taken a decision to allow public officers one hour off each week to engage in physical activities in effort to remain physically healthy and fit. more ...........

Investment in health is an imperative - Guyana Chronicle Online - consensus reached at COHSOD meeting in Guyana. THE 21st Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) opened yesterday morning with a consensus that, notwithstanding the economic burdens on Member States, greater investment in health was an imperative, especially in the fight against Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDS). With its focus on health, the two-day COHSOD meeting is being hosted by Guyana under the theme, Promoting Equity in Human Development through Public Health. more ...........

UN Commission on Population and Development (CPD) panel discussion to highlight non-communicable diseases - specifically breast and cervical cancer. On 13 April, during the 44th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development (CPD), the Permanent Missions of the CARICOM countries and of the Republic of Malawi collaborated with PAHO to co-sponsor a panel discussion to highlight non-communicable diseases, specifically breast and cervical cancer. The event was also co-sponsored by UNFPA, the American Cancer Society, and PATH. more ...........

Going up in smoke - by Tony Deyal. Smokers are at their last gasp, but not the cigarette industry, or Big Tobacco as it is called. It is no sense saying that you pay twice for your cigarettes - first when you get them and second when they get you - when the tobacco industry continues to make big bucks despite recessions, punitive taxation, anti-smoking legislation and consumer advocacy. more ...........

Rethink tobacco policy, PM - This an open letter to the prime minister of Jamaica. The Caribbean Cardiac Society (CCS) views with deep concern the decision of the Government of Jamaica to use government lands for the expansion of tobacco production. more ...........

Tobacco Revival - Study shows high earnings - A just-concluded survey of the local tobacco industry says that there has been a resurgence in cultivation of the crop in the past two years and places the industry's estimated farmgate value at $397 million. more ...........

Smoking Cessation Collaboration - Dear HCC members, We have received a request through the InterAmerican Heart Foundation for assistance in identifying persons/organizations who are interested in collaborating in the area of smoking cessation. more ...........

Send a Strong Message - Health campaign launching soon - Barbados Advocate 31st March 2011. It has been said that the Caribbean punches above its wright and those efforts are to once again bear fruit in just a few months, with a high level summit being hosted by the United Nations, on the issue of prevention and control of non communicable diseases. Chairman of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), Professor Trevor Hassell, maintains that this is an initiative that the region should be justly proud of and ensure that they are well represented when the Summit comes off in September in New York. more ...........

Caribbean civil society organization launches a Caribbean health revolution media campaign - The Healthy Caribbean Coalition, a network established to combat chronic diseases, today officially launched a media campaign to firstly sensitize people of the Region about diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and chronic lung disease, and secondly, obtain their support for a United Nations High Level Meeting to be held 19-20 September 2011 on chronic diseases. more ...........

The IDF (International Diabetes Federation) launches a global electronic signature campaign which will be shared with the NCD Alliance - There are currently over 300 million of people living with diabetes around the world. If nothing is done, this figure will rise to 500 million within a generation. more ...........

CARICOM Prepares For High Level UN Meeting On NCDs - CARICOM Secretariat, Public Information Unit - The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is stepping up preparations for the United Nations High Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in September 2011. In this regard, Heads of Government, at the recently concluded Intersessional Meeting in Grenada, agreed to organise national consultations, involving a wide range of stakeholders, to garner inputs for the Meeting in September. more ...........

Jamaica tobacco deal may affect us - By Aabida Allaham. WITH Jamaica in talks to commence tobacco production and cigar manufacturing by the end of the year, project officer at the Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean Tobacco Control Project Rosemarie Gajar, believes the move can have serious implications for this country. As such, she is calling on the Government to accelerate efforts to have the remaining clauses of the Tobacco Control Act put into effect. . more ...........

OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA AND THE PEOPLE OF JAMAICA - The Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control is becoming increasingly concerned about the decision to expand the production of tobacco growing in Jamaica which is in direct contravention of the World Health Organization (WHO) Treaty - The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which the Government of Jamaica signed on September 24, 2003 and ratified on July 7, 2005. In 2003, the WHO established this first ever public health treaty in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic. more ...........

Tobacco firms accused of funding campaign to keep cigarettes on display - National Federation of Retail Newsagents' campaign is being influenced by the tobacco industry, says trade body's ex-leader A shopkeepers' trade body that has helped to persuade scores of MPs to oppose a ban on cigarette displays has been accused by its members of being a puppet of the tobacco industry. more ...........

UN to tackle cancer, heart disease - Impressive leadership - that's how an article in the leading medical journal, The Lancet, has termed the Caribbean Community's (Caricom) campaign against so-called non-communicable diseases. These lifestyle diseases, which include cancer, stroke, diabetes and heart disease, account for 60% of all deaths, according to the United Nations. more ...........

The truth about salt - UWI professor sees cause for concern. UWI professor says high intake among Jamaicans cause for concern.BY TANESHA MUNDLE Jamaica Observer staff reporter. A lead researcher at the University of the West Indies (UWI) has expressed concern about the high salt intake among Jamaicans, saying that the issue must be addressed at the Government level if the problem of cardiovascular diseases in Jamaica is to be seriously tackled. more ...........

Looking beyond salt - by Lisa King | Tue, January 18, 2011 - 12:00 AM - Barbados Nation Newspaper. TASTE IS AN ACQUIRED thing and can change if people really want to. With diabetes and hypertension so prevalent, Barbadians have been advised to change their eating habits or face the likelihood of contracting these diseases. more ...........

Second-hand smoke just as dangerous - First Published Friday 14th January 2011 Barbados Advocate - by Patricia Thangaraj. THERE is no safe exposure to second-hand smoke. Inhaling second-hand smoke can greatly increase a person's risk of getting a heart attack and stroke and can exacerbate diabetes symptoms. This is according to Nadia Adams Tobacco Project Officer at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) Inc, who spoke with the Barbados Advocate yesterday. more ...........

Vendors urged to provide healthier foods - First Published Friday 14th January 2011 Barbados Advocate - by By Kerri Gooding. CHAIRMAN of the National Commission for Chronic Non. Communicable Diseases, Professor Trevor Hassell, spoke to the vendors at the Agrofest 2011 Food Vendors Workshop earlier this week on “The Link Between Food, Cooking, What We Eat and Health”. more ...........

Electronic Cigarettes Not Proven To Be Safe - By Lisa Bayley, first published - January 14, 2011 Nation Newspaper. The recent emergence of the electronic or e-cigarette on the market has caused local health officials to issue a warning to prospective users of this new product. The Health Ministry has advised that the e-cigarette had not been tested to determine its long-term effects, and is therefore not recommending it as a replacement or additional smoking device, nor as a tool to stop smoking. more ...........

Summit to Discuss CNCD's to be held next year - First Published Barbados Advocate 29th December 2010 - In order to bring international attention to chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) and to draft a plan of action to address this issue, the CARICOM Heads of Government along with the UN General Assembly, the principle decision making body of the UN, which represents all UN member states, has decided to hold a UN High Level Summit. more ...........

Smoking banned in WC venues - Dec 30th 2010 - If you are a smoker better don’t go to the stadium to watch the matches of the World Cup 2011. Cigarettes, alcohol and musical instruments are among the items banned at Bangladesh’s World Cup venues. more ...........

The National Heart Forum (UK) free information based website - We know that public health professionals need access to information in a broad range of topic areas and access to information is much more challenging in public health. At the NHF, the information services team has begun to organise information available in chronic disease by identifying, classifying and making this information available to you. We check the quality of information for you and customise this information to support you in your work to make a healthier society. more ...........

Excellent editorial on cardio-vascular disease - Jamaica Observer - Monday, November 22, 2010 - Dear Editor, The Heart Foundation of Jamaica strongly commends the Observer on its editorial on cardio-vascular disease (CVD) on November 11. It was informative and the obvious research into the topic both buttressed and provided a mantle of authority to the many points made in the article. The comment on prevention of the CVD is worthy of much attention. The added tragedy of the impact of these diseases is that much of the ill health, disability and death is either preventable or can be greatly minimised. more ...........

Cardiovascular disease taking a heavy toll - Jamaica Observer Editorial - Thursday, November 11, 2010. CARDIOVASCULAR disease (CVD), which refers to cardiac disease, vascular diseases of the brain and kidney and peripheral vascular disease, is often thought to be a problem of wealthy, industrialised countries. But it is the leading cause of death worldwide, with major impact not only on developed nations but also on low and middle-income developing countries, where it accounts for 30 per cent of all deaths. more ...........

Increase in prevalence, cost of chronic diseases - By Amanda Nieves. At the Diabetes Global Expo, some startling statistics were presented about the prevalence and high cost of chronic diseases in Barbados. Professor Trevor Hassell, Chairman of the National Commission for Chronic Non Communicable Diseases, gave these statistics at yesterdays opening of the Diabetes Expo. more ...........

Call for mandatory salt curbs - By Helen Briggs Health reporter, BBC News. A high salt diet is bad for health Forcing food manufacturers to cut salt levels in processed food could help cut heart disease rates, claim Australian researchers. more ...........

Would investing in infectious or chronic disease make more impact to global health? - 18th October 2010 - Health Check on the BBC World Service Radio with Claudia Hammond - Would you invest more in fighting infectious disease such as HIV, Malaria and TB or in chronic disease such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes? That’s this week’s MDG debate. more ...........

Five to be awarded honorary degrees at UWI Mona - Jamaica Gleaner Saturday October 9, 2010 - The University of the West Indies (UWI) will this year confer honorary degrees on 15 persons from across the region. They will collect their degrees at annual graduation ceremonies in Bridgetown, Port-of-Spain and Kingston. more ...........

Health Leaders Vow to Resist Tobacco Industry Pressure and Support Efforts to Reduce Tobacco Use - Washington, D.C., September, 29, 2010 (PAHO) — Health leaders meeting at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) vowed today to take action to counter attempts by the tobacco industry to subvert public health efforts aimed at protecting people from the harmful effects of tobacco use. more ...........

Caricom Health Ministers Moving Forward on Carpa - Press release 370/2010 (23 September 2010) CARICOM HEALTH MINISTERS MOVING FORWARD ON CARPHA (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana). The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Caucus of Health Ministers will convene its Nineteenth Meeting in Washington on 25 September 2010, to review a number of issues on the Region’s health agenda including the implementation of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). more ...........

PAHO offers Virtual Course - in Tobacco and Public Health: From Theory to Practice. It covers topics that include the biology and epidemiology of tobacco use, tobacco control policies, options for treating tobacco dependence as well as information to help understand and counteract tobacco industry opposition. Throughout the course successful experiences in the region are highlighted. more ...........

The NCD Interviews Sir George Alleyne - The NCD Alliance had the pleasure of speaking with Sir George Alleyne shortly after the United Nations DPI/NGO conference took place in Melbourne this past 30 August – 1 September on the theme “Advance Global Health: Achieve the MDGs”. Sir George highlighted the central role of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) for global health and development as a keynote speaker in the closing ceremonies. more ...........

Smoking ban in Jamaica will save lives - Jamaica Observer Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - MORE Jamaicans die from heart disease than from any other cause and smoking is one of the leading risk factors for this disease. We at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and the Caribbean Tobacco Control Project would like to applaud the Jamaica Observer for hosting a "Monday Exchange" highlighting the devastating impact of cardiovascular disease on our society and for identifying tobacco use as the killer that is contributing to the death of thousands of our countrymen every year. more ...........

Health ministry chastised for slow action on tobacco control, national nutrition programme - First Published Jamaica Observer - Monday, September 13, 2010 - ALICIA DUNKLEY Senior staff reporter - MEMBER of Parliament for Central Kingston Ronald "Ronnie" Thwaites has blasted the Ministry of Health for what he said was its sluggish approach to pushing for legislation to ban smoking in public spaces and the crafting of a national nutrition policy. more ...........

'Love that body, make it last' - Jamaica Observer Monday, September 13, 2010 - JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN - It was painful to hear our alarm go off at 5:45 am last Saturday. Crawling out of bed, we headed to Emancipation Park for a session with Tai Chi Master Stewart Maxwell. To our surprise the Park was a hive of activity — lots of folks were walking, jogging and stretching, a vision of active contentment. At the end of class we felt refreshed and finally happy to greet the day — those endorphins had kicked in. more ...........

HANDS ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN – TARGET 50,000 - First Published Trinidad Guardian 17th August 2010 - By Dr Clive Dottin - Imagine 50,000 persons throughout the Caribbean beginning the ‘HANDS ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN’ NEWSTART walk at 7:00a.m. in 25 countries, extending from St Croix in the North to Guyana & Surinam in the South. more ...........

NEVERTHELESS - First Published Barbados Advocate 13th August 2010 - column by Eric Lewis - Them couldda do that long time ago as far as I concern, I talking bout banning smoking in public places. Just in case you missed it, as from October 1st this year there will be a ban on smoking in public places. more ...........

More power to inspectors - Barbados Today 11th August 2010 - Health Inspectors will have capacity to enforce smoking ban. Public Health Inspectors will be given the "power" to enforce the ban on smoking in public places on October 1st. more ...........

No Room for Smokers! - Barbados Nation 6th August 2010 - This is the message which the Ministry of Health has for businesses, including rum-shops and bars, after the planned October 1 ban. more ...........

Ban on Public Smoking Soon - Barbados Advocate 6th August 2010 - Effective October 1st 2010, smoking in public places in Barbados will be prohibited more ...........

Cleaner environments to come in the near future - Barbados Advocate 6th August 2010 - This new legislation is the most significant piece of public health legislation to be completed over the last ten years more ...........

No Smoking - Barbados Nation 6th August 2010 - Barbados is outlawing smoking in public places from October 1. The ban, announced yesterday by Minister of Health Donville Inniss, comes with stiff fines for both smokers and businesses that don’t clamp down on people taking a puff. more ...........

Educational campaign to come prior to smoking ban - Hotel Sector to benefit - Barbados Advocate 6th August 2010 -Prior to the implementation of a ban October 1 this year prohibiting smoking in public places the Ministry of Health will be rolling out a comprehensive public education programme more ...........

Cessation programmes may ease health burden of tobacco use - Barbados Advocate 6th August 2010 - Dr. Kenneth George, Senior Medical Officer of Health with responsibilities for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, is encouraging non-governmental organisations a private practitioners to continue their efforts more ...........

WASH news - The Canadian Sodium Working Group have released their Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada (July 2010) . The strategy sets out a multi-staged approach (similar to that in the UK) for sodium reduction more ...........

Role for 4H to help control NCDs - THE 4H MOVEMENT, known for grooming very young farmers, can play a major part in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDS). more ...........

Jamaican appointed to World Heart Federation board - JAMAICA is, for the first time, being represented on the board of the World Heart Federation (WHF) with the recent appointment of Deborah Chen as vice-president elect. more ...........

The Toronto Charter for Physical Activity - A Global Call for Action was launched on Saturday 8 May 2010 at the 3rd International Congress for Physical Activity and Health in Toronto Canada during the closing plenary session. The final version is now available. more ...........

Guyana- CPCE declared a no-smoking zone - Published: 5th June. www.caribdaily.com. Strong disciplinary action will be taken against teachers if they are in breach of the ‘No Smoking’ declaration. This disclosure was made by Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, even as efforts were engaged to expand the No Smoking stance to the Cyril Potter College of Education. more ...........

Coordinate approach to health care needed & Health system falls short on chronic care - 1. Co-ordinate approach to health care needed - A coordinated approach to the provision of health care at both the primary and tertiary care levels and the need for an improved ambulance service that would help to transport patients with acute infarctions to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) more ........... 2. Health system falls short on chronic care - The current health care system is not meeting the health requirements of patients with chronic conditions. "We have come to the realization that there is a mismatch between chronic care needs of the population and the acute care orientation of our entire healthcare system - public and private more ...........

The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados celebrates 25 years - As the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) celebrates its 25th anniversary, the Board of Directors wishes to express heartfelt thanks to patron His Excellency Sir Clifford Husbands, Governor General of Barbados as well as the Executive, CEO and staff, volunteers, members, donors and sponsors, and medical professionals who have contributed to its formation and growth and who continue their devoted involvement. more ...........

Soccer World Cup attacked for 'unhealthy sponsors' - FIFA has scored an "own goal" by agreeing sponsorship deals for the 2010 World Cup with companies that sell unhealthy products, campaigners say. The World Cancer Research Fund criticised the governing body for partnering with the likes of Coca Cola, McDonald's and Budweiser. It said the tournament should be an opportunity to promote active lifestyles. Advertisers denied the deals would negatively impact children's diets. (BBC News website) more ...........

Shaking free of Salt - First Published on: 5/28/2010. Barbados Nation - BY KAMMIE HOLDER - DOCTORS ARE RUNNING IN PANIC, children crying and family members screaming: "Don't let him die." But it's too late, another young Barbadian has died from a stroke. more ...........

UN agency lauds Assembly resolution on non-communicable diseases - 14 May 2010 - The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed yesterday’s adoption of a General Assembly resolution calling for the curbing of premature deaths from non-communicable diseases, the leading cause of death in the world. more ...........

Keep up Taxes find other ways to reduce cigarette smuggling - Decreasing taxes levied on cigarettes will not help to reduce smuggling of contra band cigarettes. This is according to Nadia Adams, Tobacco Control Officer at the Heart and stroke Foundation of Barbados . more ...........

Caricom's historic UN event against diseases - YESTERDAY'S scheduled meeting of the United Nations General Assembly was a history-making event for the governments and people of the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom). more ...........

United Nations General Assembly - is about to consider a resolution calling for comprehensive action to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Thanks to the swift action taken by NGOs around the world - including many FCA members - the United Nations General Assembly is about to consider a resolution calling for comprehensive action to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs), tobacco use and other risk factors. more ...........

Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States - Great news from the United States. The Institute of Medicine Report recommends setting mandatory national standards for the sodium levels that food manufacturers, restaurants, and food service companies can add to their products in the US more ...........

Address by Minister of Health the Hon. Jerry Narace at the opening ceremony of 55th annual Caribbean Health Research Council meeting on Thursday April 22, 2010 at 7 pm more ...........

Study: Cutting Salt Can Have Big Health Benefits - Published on TIME.com in association with CNN - Written By Alice Park Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010 - Just when you had figured out how to manage fat, cholesterol and trans fats in your diet, researchers are now warning against another common mealtime pitfall - salt. more ...........

Efforts and initiatives to reduce salt intake - Barbados Advocate 6th April 2010 The Cabinet of Barbados just a few weeks ago approved a salt reduction initiative aimed at getting Barbadians to reduce their salt intake and Minister of Health Donville Inniss says more ...........

A Physical activity day - organized by the Seventh - day church in Dominica and Barbados took place on Sunday April 4th 2010. more ...........

Reverend Ronnie Thwaites: Recipient of Sir Philip Sherlock Award at UDOP Conference - Friday, March 26 Northern Caribbean University News. Renowned broadcaster, Attorney-At-Law, lecturer, highest success intending talk show host and Health and Tobacco Control Advocate, Reverend Ronald Thwaites is the recipient of the University Diabetes Outreach Programme (UDOP) 2010 Sir Philip Sherlock Award. more ...........

World Heart Federation Press Release 22nd March 2010 - Improved Focus Needed to Tackle Non-communicable Diseases in Developing Countries. World Heart Federation endorses recommendations included in new report from the Institute of Medicine claiming ‘profound mismatch’ between resources and disease burden. more ...........

Health Minister warns: Fatty and salty foods bad for you - Trinidad and Tobago Government News - March 11th 2010 - Of the CNCDs, heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes are the leading causes of illness and premature death in the Caribbean today. The picture is similar for Trinidad and Tobago. CNCDs have been responsible for four of the five leading causes of death in our country over the last two decades and heart disease, cancers, diabetes and strokes account for 60% of the total causes of death in our country. more ...........

Health Minister hosts International, Regional and Local Tobacco Control Organizations. - Trinidad and Tobago Government News 9th March 2010. Port of Spain, March 07, 2010: Senator the Honourable Jerry Narace Minister of Health hosted several representatives of international, regional and local tobacco control organizations at the Ministry of Health’s Head Office on March 03, 2010. more ...........

TRINIDAD: New smoking ban to take effect - Caribbean Daily. PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Smokers in Trinidad and Tobago will soon be stripped of their right to light up in public as they wish as a new law that seeks to curb the practice is to take effect this week. more ...........

Smoking ban in enclosed public places starts Wed - Trinidad & Tobago Express. FROM Ash Wednesday, smokers will no longer be allowed to light up in any enclosed public place. The Ministry of Health yesterday issued a release, announcing that the Tobacco Control Act, passed back in December 2009, will be proclaimed by President George Maxwell Richards and enforced in phases from Wednesday onwards. more ...........

Anti-tobacco law in effect - The Trinidad Guardian - A couple of weeks ago, the Minister of Health announced that some parts of the 2009 Tobacco Act would come into effect on Ash Wednesday. more ...........

PAHO Policy Statement on “Preventing cardiovascular disease in the Americas by reducing dietary salt intake population-wide” - The PAHO/WHO Regional Expert Group on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention through Dietary Salt Reduction has produced this policy statement. It has the rationale and recommendations for a population-based approach to reduce dietary salt intake among all people in the Americas, be they adults or children. more ...........

Smoking ban makes good sense - Jamaica Gleaner Online, February 11, 2010 - Smoking has been recognised as a serious medical problem and, in the last 40 years, has been linked irrefutably to many serious diseases of various tissues, including cancer, heart disease, gangrene of lower limbs, stroke and lung disease. Cigarette smoking also increases the complications of diabetes and hypertension. more ...........

Smokers under attack - Jamaica Gleaner Online, January 22nd, 2010 - The bandwagon of local smoking bans now steamrolling across the nation has nothing to do with protecting people from the supposed threat of 'second-hand' smoke. more ...........

Agencies push for inclusion of non-communicable diseases in global health agenda - MediaGlobal, February 11, 2010, By Ryan Dicovitsky. When the international community adopted the Millennium Development Goals in 2000, the chief health focus was on diseases that affect young children and women. more ...........

Caribbean Nations Push for Resolution to Address Non-Communicable Diseases - Europa Newswire, February 5, 2010. By Amy Lieberman. UNITED NATIONS. Non-Communicable, or transferable, diseases, like diabetes and cancer, account for more than 60 percent of the global deaths, 40 percent of which are premature, yet no international resolution or convention recognizes this growing trend. more ...........

30th September 2009 - Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) launches its public access defibrillation programme - CONCERNED about the increasing number of persons dying from heart-related problems in Jamaica, the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) yesterday launched its public access defibrillation programme, intended to increase the use of automated external defibrillator (AED) in public locations. more ...........

20th September 2009 - A Report of the activities of Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) for the 12 month period following the Healthy Caribbean Conference 2008. Professor Trevor Hassell, Chairman of The Healthy Caribbean Coalition. more ...........

16th September 2009 - UWI Chancellor urges higher taxes on cigarettes ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC - Chancellor of the University of the West- Indies (UWI), Professor George Alleyne, says he is concerned over the incidents of chronic non communicable diseases in Dominica and is recommending an increase on tobacco taxes to curb the problem. more ...........

19th April 2009 - The Fifth Summit of the Americas concluded on 19 April 2009 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, with a declaration addressing the most pressing challenges facing the region, including non-communicable diseases. The Summits of the Americas bring together the 34 democratically elected Heads of State and Government of the Americas to jointly seek solutions to the Americas' challenges. more ...........

23rd March 2009 - Project Manager Report on the Bloomberg Grantee meeting and the 14th WCTOH, Mumbai India, March 2009. Bloomberg Initiative Grantee meeting - March 5-8th 2009, 14th WCTOH Meeting March 8-12th 2009. Barbara McGaw, Project Manager, The Heart Foundation of Jamaica/Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control. more ...........

8th March 2009 - For the Guyana Diabetic Association for the pass few months the Association have built a stronger partnership with the Ministry of Health of Guyana. We have done joint projects The Ministry held the out of town activities with the Secretary of the Association attending. more ...........

1st September 2008 - Purpose and Objectives and Preliminary Programme - The purpose of this conference is to bring together a wide spectrum of partners from throughout the CARICOM countries -namely civil society, the business community, educators and researchers, and policy makers - to plan civil society’s response to the chronic non-communicable disease (CNCD) epidemic in the Caribbean. more ...........

30th July 2008 - Progress report and update on the “Healthy Caribbean 2008 – a wellness revolution conference” - Strategic purpose of the conference - To focus attention of the Caribbean on the epidemic and burden of the Chronic Non Communicable Diseases (CNCDs) leading in turn to post conference follow-up action, activities, programmes and policies that will lead to reduction of CNCDs in the Caribbean. The conference will be led by Caribbean Civil Society and is a follow up to the Heads of Government of CARICOM Summit on CNCDs held in Port of Spain last year. more ...........

The future of electronic publishing