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Healthy Caribbean Coalition
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April 12 - April 24 2014

Healthy Caribbean Weekly News Roundup
Healthy Caribbean Coalition

Featured

Country Profiles A Civil Society Regional Status Report: Responses to NCDs in the Caribbean Community - Release of Full Report and Country Profiles - The HCC is pleased to release the full report: A Civil Society Regional Status Report: Responses to NCDs in the Caribbean Community and target Country Profiles. This report is one of the major outputs of the NCD Alliance’s programme, ‘Strengthening Health Systems, Supporting NCD Action’ which aims to support and strengthen civil society NCD advocacy efforts in Brazil, South Africa and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) is the “National Implementing Partner” for the Caribbean in the implementation of this project funded by Medtronic Philanthropy.

The purpose of this report is to understand and assess the Caribbean response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), from a civil society perspective. The findings and the emerging call to action will serve as an evidence-base, and platform, from which a more empowered civil society can better influence and complement regional and national NCD policies and programmes. This document represents an important regional resource which can be used by national governments and regional entities as an evidence base for priority NCD policy and programming and as a roadmap for civil society organisations in the Caribbean to develop targeted NCD advocacy campaigns.

The report is unique in many respects not the least of which is that it represents the first occasion, that CSOs in the Caribbean have come together to produce an in-depth and comprehensive assessment of NCDs as viewed through the lens of civil society. This is an important step in the development of a process and culture that seeks to lead to strong advocacy efforts by the people of the region for improvements in all aspects of health. It is an occasion for celebration by HCC and civil society as we reaffirm our commitment to continue to support the NCD response at organisational, national, regional and global levels in the sixth year of the formation of the HCC - a Caribbean NCD Alliance.

Click here for the NCD Alliance Project page where you can download the pdf of the full report, the Executive Summary and the 9 country profiles.

Healthy Caribbean Coalition

News Roundup

HCC Member of the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

The HCC is pleased to announce that we are the newest members of the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. The US based National Forum has more than 80 national and international members and through their collaborative policy and programmatic efforts they are building a collective voice for the prevention of heart disease and stroke. The National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention builds a collective voice for a heart-healthy and stroke-free society through collaborative policy and programmatic efforts. Members include more than 80 US and international organizations that represent public, private, health care, advocacy, academic, policy, and community sectors. To find out more about the NFHDSP please visit www.nationalforum.org

CARPHA REMINDER - The 59th Annual CARPHA Health Research Conference (CHRC) Aruba May 1-3 2014 - The theme for 2014 is Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Through the Life Course i.e. from childhood to the elderly. The Annual CARPHA Health Research Conference has been successfully hosted every year since 1956 by the former CHRC. Usually held the third week in April, it is the largest health research conference in the English speaking Caribbean with over 200 delegates in attendance. Comprising of policy makers and health care providers thus creating a unique network of health stakeholders who share needs, information and experiences. Read more

PAHO NCD Review 2014 - PAHO would like to request civil society organistaions' assistance in coordination and convening country efforts in preparation for the Comprehensive Review and Assessment of the Progress Achieved in the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, NCDs (NCD Review 2014), scheduled to take place at the UN General assembly in New York City, on 10-11 July 2014. You may recall that paragraph 65 of the UN Political Declaration on NCDs 2011 (UNHLM) requests the Secretary General, in collaboration with Member States and the World Health Organization (WHO), and other agencies of the UN system, to present during its 68th Session, a report on the progress of the commitments made in the Declaration, in preparation for a comprehensive review and assessment in 2014 of the progress achieved in the prevention and control of NCDs. We will be following up directly with our members for input. If you have specific comments or questions please reply to this email.

Dominica’s Ministry of Health Initiates Mass Aerobics

Dominica’s Ministry of Health Initiates Mass AerobicsIn its efforts to prevent and control Chronic Non Communicable Diseases (CNCDs) the Ministry of Health has embarked on several initiatives. One such initiative is hosting of monthly mass aerobics in the city of Roseau, which commenced in February 2014.This is spearheaded by the Health Promotion Unit, using a multi- sectorial approach. Chronic Non Communicable Diseases are the leading cause of deaths and illnesses in Dominica.

These diseases are influenced by life style practices to include Inactivity and unhealthy food choices. See photos here and video here.

Civil Society Organisations engaged with are as follows: Health NGOs e.g Diabetes Association, Council on Ageing, Pharmaceutical companies, Male Oriented Groups, Corporate Communication Companies, Corporate Business Organisations, Non Health Public Sector.

Central Health - Grenada has produced a four part audio series on Men's Health - This second episode focuses on colon cancer. Statistics released by the Ministry of Health show that men are dying more than women in many of the chronic non-communicable diseases in Grenada and at alarming rates. Central Health - Grenada's Men's Health series seeks to educate men about the importance of screening. Read more

Keoma L. HamerKeoma Hamer, President of the KeLaHa Projects Foundation and HCC Member Awarded 2013/2014 NAPW Professional Woman of the Year - NAPW honors Keoma L. Hamer, Founder and President of The KeLaHa Projects Foundation, as 2013/2014 Professional Woman of the Year for leadership with this prestigious distinction. As the largest, most-recognized organization of women in the United States, spanning virtually every industry and profession, the National Association of Professional Women is a networking community with nearly 500,000 members and over 400 Local Chapters throughout the country. Read more

NCD Alliance E-Alert - NCDs included in new OWG proposals: In advance of the 11th session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development goals (5-9 May at UN HQ), the co-chairs have released an updated Working Document, as well as other materials reflecting current views on possible SDGs; NCDs included in new OWG proposals; Update on UN NCD Review Modalities; Next NCD Alliance Webinar: Wednesday 7 May. Read more

The War on Salt - World Congress of Cardiology 2014 to put a spotlight on one of the biggest drivers of cardiovascular disease, salt. Geneva (02 April, 2014) The World Congress of Cardiology will convene leading experts across the world in Melbourne, Australia from 4 - 7 May to debate and present the latest findings in heart health. One of the key topics to be discussed will be on the importance of national targets to reduce premature mortality related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as dietary salt guidelines. Read more

UK Salt Reduction Saves Lives - New Research Shows - The UK Salt Reduction Programme has led to a fall in population blood pressure & thereby stroke & heart disease deaths. New analysis published in BMJ Open shows that the UK salt reduction programme has led to a fall in population blood pressure and thereby stroke and heart disease events and deaths. From the fall in blood pressure that was due to the salt reduction there has been a saving of approximately 18,000 stroke and heart attack events a year, 9,000 of which would have been fatal. Read the press release from CASH here and the BMJ report: Salt reduction in England from 2003 to 2011: its relationship to blood pressure, stroke and ischaemic heart disease mortality here

BBC Radio Soundbites

  • Paying alcoholics in beer to clean civic areas - A controversial scheme in Amsterdam. Listen here
  • Diet clinics in Turkey - Do they need more regulation?. Listen here

NCD Articles on WebMD

  • Asthma Treatment & Self-Care - Asthma treatment can vary from anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator asthma inhalers to oral medications to asthma drugs delivered in an asthma nebulizer or breathing machine. Read more
  • 10 Diabetes Diet Myths - There are plenty of myths about diabetes and food. take a closer look to find out the facts. Read more
  • Hypertension Symptoms and Types - Are there hypertension symptoms? What are the complications of high blood pressure? Learn about hypertension, its symptoms, complications, and types. Read more
  • Lung Cancer Diagnosis & Tests - How is lung cancer diagnosed? What tests will doctors have to perform? Get that vital information in these short, to-the-point articles. 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

Healthy Caribbean Coalition
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Healthy Caribbean Coalition

The HCC is a regional network of Caribbean health NGOs and civil society organizations with the remit to combat chronic diseases (NCDs) and their associated risk factors and conditions. Our membership presently consists of more than 50 Caribbean-based health NGOs and over 55 not-for-profit organisations and, in excess of 200 individual members based in the Caribbean and across the globe.

To join the HCC email us at hcc@healthycaribbean.org.

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HCC Secretariat, Caribbean Catalyst Inc., River Road, St. Michael, Barbados, BB11155