January 8 - January 14 2014

HCC Feature

Trinidad and Tobago Moves to Help End Cervical Cancer

Increasing cervical cancer awareness and screening is one of the key goals for The Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society, not just in January but throughout the year.

Putting the focus on screening, the Society is providing free screening for members of staff and limited free screening to the general public in an effort to help save lives. Chairperson of the TTCS, Dr. Jaqueline Pereira-Sabga emphasized the need for women to make screening a priority and learn more about cervical cancer and what preventative measures can be taken. Dr. Sabga adds “the Caribbean Cervical Cancer E-petition, www.endcervicalcancernow.org is one way we can collectively demand change from Caribbean Heads of Government and called on all citizens to sign.”

With the assistance of Macfarlane Film Studio, local celebrities and politicians have come out in support of Caribbean Cervical Cancer E-petition via public service announcements. Political leader of the Movement for Social Justice, David Abdulah, Soca artiste Shurwayne Winchester and Dreevay host Reagan Des Vignes are just some of the stars who are encouraging early detection via screening and who are in support of the petition. Their videos have been shared regionally on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter among the participating Caribbean cancer societies and all members of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition. To see the videos click on the links below:

• Soca Star, Shurwayne Winchester Watch here
• TV producer, Reagan Des Vignes Watch here
• All-rounder, Dwayne Bravo Watch here
• MSJ leader, David Abdulah Watch here
• Model and actress, Heidi Walcott Watch here

Upon request the TTCS has also been conducting free cervical cancer awareness lectures throughout the twin islands at various organizations and community groups. In addition, with the help of the ‘Teal Army’, cervical cancer advocates, flyers are being distributed to retailers and organizations. These types of outreach initiatives help to significantly increase awareness of the need for early detection and healthy lifestyle habits.

News Roundup

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in Bermuda - Rhonda Smith-Simmons Education Officer of Bermuda Health and Cancer, recently gave 3 interviews promoting regular “well woman” checkups and pap tests based on physician recommendation and will be making 3 further presentations to the community during this month. She also discussed the new guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists regarding pap tests and HPV tests.The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre also has a fund to cover the cost of the pap test (laboratory analysis) for uninsured women when performed at the Dept. of Health.

The Department of Health are once again running their ads promoting the HPV Vaccine, click on the following links to see the videos: Pre-teen Vaccine PSA and Cervical Cancer PSA.

Please share any activities you have planned for the month that you would like us to highlight. We would appreciate a short paragraph summarising your planned activities including your partners and promotional materials.

HSFB Newsbreak January 2014 - Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados newsbreak will be circulated on a quarterly basis commencing from January 2014. HSFB Newsbreak welcomes articles from staff and associates for our future issues and wish to thank all who supplied articles for this issue. Inside this issue: From the Desk of the CEO, 2014 may prove to be a challenging year in many respects for the nation of Barbados, but one should always see a challenge as opportunity. Also Time to Check the Weight, New Year Resolutions, Go Red For Women, Membership, CDP&R Expanded, New Faces, Nutritionist Column, Community. Read more

Central Health - Grenada has produced a four part audio series on Men's Health - Statistics released by the Ministry of Health in Grenada 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 seeks to bring awareness to this issue, by creating a four part radio series on the topic. Its goal is to educate men about the importance of screening. Listen to part 1 of 4 of the Men's Health series titled: Heart Disease

Call For Abstracts - 2014 NCD Child Conference - DEADLINE JANUARY 22nd

NCD Child invites submissions of abstracts to be presented at the 2014 NCD Child Conference. There will be two categories for submission - Abstracts for the Young Health Scholarships 2014 (for those 24 and under) and Abstracts for publication within the Conference Program. Read more

NCD Alliance Alert - Webinar Slides Available, for the WHO Executive Board and preparations for the 2014 UN NCD Review. 2-pager for WHO Executive Board, next week is the 134th session of the WHO Executive Board (EB) in Geneva. Preparing for the UN NCD Review 2014. This year, the UN will convene a High-Level Review on NCDs. Mandated by the 2011 Political Declaration. Read More

Hungry Planet: What The World Eats - What's on family dinner tables around the globe? Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio traveled the world documenting that most basic of human behaviors — what we eat. Their project, “Hungry Planet,” depicts everything that an average family consumes in a given week–and what it costs — laid out in thought-provoking detail. Their results will be exhibited by The Nobel Peace Center to give viewers a peek into kitchens from Norway to Kuwait Read more

ODI publishes 'Future Diets' Report - Given the dramatic increase in the numbers of overweight or obese people in the past 30 years, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) has published a new report, Future Diets, which traces how the changes in diet - more fat, more meat, more sugar and bigger portions - have led to a looming health crisis. Read more

Celebrating 50 Years of Tobacco Control - The First Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health and Its Role in Shaping US Public Health – January 11, 2014 – marks the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health. That auspicious day in 1964 when US Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry released the report was a watershed moment in US public health. Read more

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados aim for AEDs to be all over Barbados - Barbadians who suffer cardiac arrest in public places will soon have access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) thanks to the efforts of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados. Chief Executive Officer of the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Gina Pitts, gave this assurance to Barbadians and visitors today during an interview with Barbados TODAY. Read More

NCD Articles on WebMD

• Which Heart Tests Should You Get? - Do you have high cholesterol or a history of chest pain? One of these high-tech imaging tests might be right for you. Read more
• Can Kids Outgrow Asthma? - Most children outgrow their food allergies. Is it the same with asthma? Read more
• Diabetes-Related Skin Conditions - High blood sugar may cause skin problems for people with diabetes. Learn about common conditions and treatments. Read more
• Lung Cancer: The Big Picture - It's the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women. But there are promising new drugs for those diagnosed today. 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