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Featured
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Battling Cervical Cancer in Belize
 The Belize Cancer Society (BCS) is increasing cervical cancer awareness and action across Belize from Belize City to vulnerable rural communities such as Sand Hills, Punta Gorda, Belmopan and Corozal. "Cervical Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for women in Belize and more education is desperately needed - we need innovative awareness campaigns to debunk myths, overcome fears, and get women screening for cervical cancer" said Laura Tucker Longsworth, President of the Belize Cancer Society and long-term cancer advocate in Belize.
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Through the HCC managed Australian Government Direct AID Programme, the BCS has facilitated the screening of 700+ women in Belize, many of which have never had a pap test. The BCS was able to achieve this in partnership with key partners including the Ministry of Health and the Belize Family Life Association. The BCS is also working closely with the MOH in the development of the National HPV Policy to allow for widespread HPV vaccination. On May 28th, the BCS will be hosting a National Health Symposium also supported through C4PI project. Click here to see Sand Hills community visit gallery.
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News Roundup
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67th World Health Assembly - Official proceedings of the 67th World Health Assembly started on Monday 19th in Geneva. NCDs are high on the agenda, with decisions expected on the Global Coordination Mechanism for NCDs (GCM/NCD) and a set of NCD action plan indicators, as well as discussion on the UN Review on NCDs. Professor Sir Trevor Hassell is representing the HCC at the WHA and will be participating in an NCD Alliance side event entitled: “Addressing the NCD Challenge in the Post-2015 Development Agenda: the Life-Course Approach”. For more information visit the WHO website here or the NCD Alliance website here or Click here to view the recent NCD Alliance E-Alert with all documentation for WHA 67. Read more
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HCC Pays Courtesy Visit to Belize
 The HCC paid a brief courtesy visit to Belize from May 7-9, 2014 to meet with Civil Society Stakeholders in a an effort to better understand the needs of our CSO membership within the context of the Belize situation. Hosted by BCS President, Laura Tucker-Longsworth, HCC President and Manager were taken on a whirlwind of visits which provided a comprehensive understanding of the Belize national NCD response.
During the two days the HCC were met with: The Right Honourable Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow; Dr. Sanchez, Pathologist MOH; Dr. Gerardo De Cosio, PAHO Country Representative; Dr. Francis Longsworth, CEO and Dr. Adrian Coye, DMS of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH); Dr. Michael Pitts, Director Health Services, MOH; The Belize Media including Channel 5 'Open Your Eyes' Hosts and Love FM Morning Show Hosts; Dr. Natalya Castillo-Rodrigues and Ruth Jaramillo of National Health Insurance; Dr. Cynthia Terry and her staff at the Belize Family Life Association; and Anthony Castillo, Belize President of the Diabetes Association.
The Belize Cancer Society hosted an evening event at their offices in which a wide cross section of NCD Stakeholders were invited to meet the HCC and discuss the recently launched NCD Regional Status Report, the C4PI and national NCD priorities in Belize and the role of CSOs in addressing these priorities. Click here to see more photos from the visit.
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HCC Featured in NCD Alliance Annual Report
The NCD Alliance Report 2013-2014 provides a snapshot of the many activities and achievements over the last year of the NCD Alliance and our extensive constituency– our network, partners, volunteers and staff. In many ways, this year has been a turning point for the NCD Alliance. We have introduced new programs, built new strategic partnerships, and take steps to strengthen our performance as an alliance. Read more
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Belize Ministry of Health Launches National NCD Plan
 An official blueprint of the Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan and the National Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) was presented by representatives of the Ministry of Health on May 12, 2014 at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel. The plan was developed in consultation with national partners through the NCD Commission of which the Belize Cancer Society was a member. Dr. Michael Pitts, Director of Health Services, stated, “The NCD Plan of Action – which is a part of the National Strategic Plan – calls for the prevention and control of NCDs between 2013 and 2023...The goal is that by 2023, we should reduce those by 25% and the purpose of the plan is to promote the establishment of policies and implementation actions geared towards meaningful reduction of NCDs in Belize by all the relevant stakeholders.”
Please click here for the Health Plan and here for the NCD Plan.
For related press see links:
- Nat’l Health Sector Strategic Plan launched Read more
- Ministry of Health launches a health plan Read more
- Health Ministry Launches 10-Year Master Plans Read more
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Celebrating Five Years of the NCD Alliance
Five years ago on, the NCD Alliance was officially launched at a side event at the World Health Assembly (WHA). Since 2009, we have come a long way. Founded by four international NGO federations – the International Diabetes Federation, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, the Union for International Cancer Control, and the World Heart Federation – the NCD Alliance now unites more than 2,000 civil society organisations in 170 countries, and convenes a network of 28 national and regional NCD alliances. Read more
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CARPHA’s New Laboratory Promises Faster Detection and Response to Control Disease Outbreaks in the Caribbean
 Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, May 14, 2014: The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is now better equipped to perform faster and safer detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks in the Region. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s Global Partnership Programme (GPP), which donated a fully equipped Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory to CARPHA, the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. Read more
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Bermuda's first Relay For Life
With less than 3 weeks till Bermuda's first Relay For Life the excitement is building. Over 120 teams have registered to date and the numbers are climbing. Volunteers are invaluable in bringing together Relay For Life events around the world and helping make it such a successful and inspirational day. As you can imagine there are lots of opportunities to volunteer during this 24hr event. If you would like to volunteer for this event click on the time(s) below to indicate which period(s) you are available.
It's such a great way to meet like-minded people and it's a great way to get a taste of what it's like to be a Committee Member for a day! Read more
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 World Health Statistics 2014
World Health Statistics 2014 contains WHO’s annual compilation of health-related data for its 194 Member States, and includes a summary of the progress made towards achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and associated targets. This year, it also includes highlight summaries on the ongoing commitment to end preventable maternal deaths; on the need to act now to combat rising levels of childhood obesity; on recent trends in both life expectancy and premature deaths; and on the crucial role of civil registration and vital statistics systems in national and global advancement. Read more
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Belize Diabetes Association Shares Vision for Future - The Belize Diabetes Association is playing an important role in support for those living with diabetes in Belize. President, Anthony Castillo, hosted an evening meeting with BDA membership and the HCC in which he showcased the work of the BDA, successes, challenges and their future direction. Current member, Judge Sharon Fraser highlighted the priority needs for Diabetes NGOs throughout the Caribbean and underscored that driving global attention and support in the direction of the region will be one her key focus areas as she assumes her role as Chair Elect for the IDF representatives for the North America and Caribbean Region (www.idf.org/regions/north-america-caribbean/about). If you would like more information on the BDA click here or contact the HCC via reply email.
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Cancer Support Services Conference 2014 - Topic: “Clinical Challenges and Best Practices In Cancer Care”. Saturday, June 28, 2014 Accra Beach Hotel & Spa, Rockley, Christ Church To register, kindly call Cancer Support Services at 228-7081. Registration closes on June 9th. Click here for the Conference Outline
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Riveting Discussion: Child Sexual Abuse As A Public Health Issue - On Friday May 9, 2014 a panel discussion on the topic, “Talking About It: Child Sexual Abuse As A Public Health Issue,” was held at the Brooks-Smith Lowe Institute. The purpose of the discussion was to merge the correlation between child sexual abuse and its impact on public health as it relates to the rise in chronic non-communicable diseases, psychoneuroimmunological irregularities and psychological impact. Read more
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 Fed Up - a film about our addiction to sugar
A Film by Stephanie Soechtig Fed Up - In theaters now. Everything we’ve been told about food and exercise for the past 30 years is dead wrong. FED UP is the film the food industry doesn’t want you to see. From Katie Couric, Laurie David (Oscar winning producer of AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH) and director Stephanie Soechtig, FED UP will change the way you eat forever. Read more
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Talking About the ‘Battle’ Against Cancer - ‘Fight’ metaphors are commonly used to describe people’s experiences with cancer, but increasingly evidence suggests that this approach is not helpful for many patients. Kate Granger is a doctor and terminally ill cancer patient from the north of England and she gives Health Check her perspective. Elena Semino, Professor of Linguistics and English Language at Lancaster University in the UK has been studying the language used in end of life care Listen here
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NCD Articles on WebMD
- Fruits and Veggies May Lower Stroke Risk - Aim for at least four to five a day, experts advise. Regularly eating fruits and vegetables may reduce your stroke risk, according to a new review of worldwide research. Read more
- Are We Too Sweet on Sugar? - IYou’ve almost certainly read it somewhere over this past year: Sugar is the devil, sugar is toxic, sugar is as addictive as cocaine, sugar is killing us all! Read more
- Are you eating too much salt - Take the Salt Quiz: Test Your Salt Smarts. Read more
- Life-Threatening Allergy Triggers - Peanuts, shellfish, and even bee stings can cause deadly anaphylaxis. Know the symptoms and how to protect yourself. Read more
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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
HCC Featured - Previously featured Members, events and news can now be found on our HCC Featured 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 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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If you do not want to receive future emails from the Healthy Caribbean Coalition please send an email with Unsubscribe in the subject line to unsubscribe@healthycaribbean.org
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HCC Secretariat, Caribbean Catalyst Inc., River Road, St. Michael, Barbados, BB11155
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