Caribbean Countries Win Awards For Tobacco Control Efforts In Costa Rica From The Interamerican Heart Foundation (IAHF)

Three Caribbean nations, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago were represented at the 4th IAHF Latin American Conference on Tobacco or Health, held in San Jose Costa Rica, March 19-21, 2014. Jamaica and Suriname won awards for the work in tobacco control with respect to enacting strong tobacco control laws.

These awards were handed out at the closing ceremony of the 4th IAHF Latin American Conference on Tobacco or Health on Friday March 28th, 2014.

The two awards for Jamaica were specifically for the Ministry of Health and the Heart Foundation of Jamaica/Jamaica Coalition for Tobacco Control (civil society) "For protecting the health of all Jamaicans with strong regulations against tobacco". Suriname also received a similar award.

We are heartened by the advances made in tobacco control in the Latin American and Caribbean region over the past two years, most countries have now ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and several have enacted local tobacco control laws in alignment with the FCTC.

There are strong smoke free laws in many counties in the region as well as graphic health warnings on cigarette packs; however improvement is needed in the laws covering advertising and promotion of tobacco products and tobacco taxation. Despite our successes, there is still a lot of work to be done in order to protect our citizens from the scourge of tobacco.

We look forward to Jamaica having comprehensive tobacco legislation in the near future.

More media coverage of the awards for Jamaica

• Jamaica receives two awards for tobacco laws KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica walked away with two awards at the recently concluded fourth Inter American Health Foundation (IAHF) Latin American Conference on Tobacco or Health, held in San Jose, Costa Rica. Read more
• Jamaica awarded for tobacco control efforts - The ministry of health says Jamaica has been given two awards for its efforts to protect Jamaicans from the harmful effects of tobacco. Read more

Fruitful Partnership Between Sagicor Life Inc and the Healthy Caribbean Coalition

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, March 31st, 2014 - Over the past four months the partnership between regional insurance company Sagicor Life Inc and regional entity the Healthy Caribbean Coalition has produced two landmark initiatives on chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs). Edward Clarke, Chief Operating Officer, Sagicor Life Inc and General Manager - Barbados Operations and Professor Sir Trevor Hassell, President of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) were present at a media briefing to give further details on the HCC's work.

On November 22nd, Edward Clarke presented a copy of the Caribbean Civil Society Cervical Cancer Advocacy Handbook and Planning Tool to Sir George Alleyne, Patron of the HCC, at the "Strengthening Health Systems, Supporting NCD Action” meeting in Trinidad & Tobago. While more recently on March 20th at the NCD Child Conference in Trinidad & Tobago, the HCC launched the Caribbean NCD Regional Status Report.

Edward Clarke, Chief Operating Officer, Sagicor Life Inc and General Manager - Barbados Operations explained the company's commitment to the HCC and its efforts, "We strongly support the initiatives of the HCC because their vision is one which Sagicor Life Inc shares. Adding his words of congratulations Mr. Clarke expressed, "We are proud therefore that through our partnership with the HCC, stakeholders have devised solutions, strategies and tools which can further empower all those involved in the fight against this epidemic."

Read the full press release from Sagicor Inc. here

More coverage of the media briefing at Sagicor life Inc.

• HCC frowns on advertising of unhealthy foods to children “Nowhere in the Caribbean are there polices that speak to the advertising of unhealthy foods to children”. Read more
• Regional Status Report on NCDs a major impetus The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) is at present celebrating a landmark initiative, that of the production of a Regional Status Report on NCDs in the Caribbean, which the HCC says will be a major step towards the reduction of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Barbados and across the Caribbean islands. Read more
• Better grip on CNCDs challenges, says Sir Trevor Regional governments now have a better grip on the challenges presented by chronic non-communicable diseases, says president of the Healthy Caribbean. Read more

The Diabetes Association of Barbados "Power to Prevent" - The Diabetes Association celebrates its 39th Anniversary with a major event for 2014, "Power to Prevent" on Saturday April 12th at Ilaro Court designed to deliver the message that at best the onset of Diabetes may be delayed/prevented and at worse be managed and effectively controlled. Demonstrations at a practical level on how to make the required lifestyle adjustments will include Healthcare professionals, Chefs and Physical activity specialist. click here

National Health EXPO to take place in Dominica on April 6 & 7 - The East Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Health Ministries is planning a National Health EXPO to take place in Dominica on April 6 & 7 at Lindo Park in Goodwill in recognition of World Health Day 2014. The theme is Creation Health Know Your Numbers. This is combining NCD screening with 8 Health Principles using the CREATION acronym model developed by Florida Hospital. The theme for World Health Day will be incorporated in the Environment booth. A team of Volunteers from Barbados recently trained as medical missionaries will join the Adventist Health Ministry team in Dominica to man the EXPO. Partnering in this EXPO will be the Ministry of Health, Fire Department and Ministry of Agriculture. Read more

Barbados Association of Palliative Care Public Lecture - In our continued effort to sensitize Health Care Professionals and the Public at Large about the benefits of Palliative Care, we will be continuing our series of "The Conversation” on Friday, May 16th at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital commencing at 2 pm to 4 p.m. The Guest Facilitator will be Dr. Susan Krauter of Fort Myers, Florida, USA. Read more

NCD Alliance E-Alert - Health in Post-2015: OWG 10 update; Reducing the burden of NCDs was mentioned as a priority by the majority of Member States who spoke on Tuesday, with broad support for inclusion in the proposed SDG framework; UN Conference on Small Island Developing States Conference (SIDS) The Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will take place 1-4 September 2014 in Apia, Samoa; WHO Consultation on Sugar Intake; NCD Café at the Geneva Health Forum - April 2014. Read more

Recent Hypertension Guidelines: Implications for Clinical and Public Health Practice and Systems Change - A webinar series hosted by the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. The webinars are intended for states participating in the ASTHO Million Hearts Learning Collaborative, National Forum member organizations, state health agencies, local public health departments, providers, clinics, health systems partners, payers, and other health professionals interested in learning more about the various guidelines. Read more

NCD Alliance Webinar Wednesday April 9th - The NCD Alliance will be holding their next webinar on Wednesday 9th April at 10:00 – 11:30 am EST/16:00 – 17:30 CET. Please note that there will be only one webinar broadcast. The powerpoint slides will be made available on the NCD Alliance website after the webinar. Read more

National Taskforce on Physical Activity and Exercise presents EXercise IN THE CITY - World Health Day 2014, Monday April 7th, 5pm - 7pm Independence Square, Bridgetown, bring your water, your towel and your friends. Read more

Policy Coming to Regulate Tobacco Cultivation - Within the next three months, the Government is expected to launch a strategy aimed at discouraging the cultivation of tobacco in Jamaica, as it seeks to regulate the production and use of the drug. Under the initiative, tobacco farmers, who are to receive training, will be introduced to alternative crops such as Irish potato, ginger, tomato, and other produce that have export value. Read more

4th International Conference on Women, heart disease, and stroke in conjunction with the World Congress of Cardiology - The goal of the conference is to extend knowledge and foster action globally about the prevention, identification, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in women. You will hear how different women and men are when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of CVD, learn about hormones and CVD, issues related to pregnancy with congenital or acquired heart disease, and particular issues facing women in developing countries. Read more

World Cancer Congress 2014 - Register now and benefit from early bird savings!. The 2014 World Cancer Congress will take place in Melbourne, Australia on 3-6 December 2014. Organised by UICC and hosted by Cancer Council Australia, an active UICC Member organisation, the 2014 World Cancer Congress will once again gather all cancer control professions under one roof, at a crucial time in the global fight against cancer. Held every two years, the World Cancer Congress has become a not-to-be missed event in the global health calendar of events. The Congress promises to provide participating delegates with even more opportunities to interact with an impressive range of experts from all over the world. Read more

World Wide Wake-up call - Diabetes is the unresolved development issue of the 21st century - The newly released 6th edition of IDF Diabetes Atlas reports that the number of people living with diabetes rose cataclysmically to 382 million in 2013. Our evidence shows that diabetes prevalence will skyrocket by 2035. By that time, nearly 600 million people will live with diabetes, and approximately 470 million will have impaired glucose tolerance. Put another way – 1 in every 8 people worldwide, 1 billion people, will live with or be at risk of diabetes.
Read more

Study: Seven fruit and veg recommended daily to slash death risk - Eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day reduces your risk of death at any point in time by 42% compared to eating less than one portion, reports a new UCL study. Researchers used the Health Survey for England to study the eating habits of 65,226 people representative of the English population between 2001 and 2013, and found that the more fruit and vegetables they ate, the less likely they were to die at any age. Read more

NCD Articles on WebMD

• The End of the Pap Test? FDA to Decide - Pap tests are used to find early signs of cervical cancer. But over the past several years, studies from a number of countries have found that HPV tests are better than the Pap test at finding cervical cancer. Read more
• Diet Soft Drinks and Women's Hearts - Those who consumed the most had highest risk, but the study results are preliminary. Read more
• Diabetes: Taking Control with Insulin - Questions About Insulin for and from Your Doctor. Read more
• Vitamin D May Improve Asthma Control - Study Links Vitamin D Deficiency and Asthma Severity. Read more

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

HCC Featured - Previously featured Members, events and news can now be found on our HCC Featured webpage here