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Healthy Caribbean Coalition
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November 7 - November 13

Healthy Caribbean Weekly News Roundup
Healthy Caribbean Coalition

Should there be a soft drinks tax to help combat obesity?

Featured

Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) in Rome Next week

Prof Rainford WilksThe HCC will be represented by Director, Prof Rainford Wilks, next week at the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) in Rome, on 19-20 November. The ICN2 will be a high-level ministerial conference which will propose a flexible policy framework to address today’s major nutrition challenges and identify priorities for enhanced international cooperation on nutrition. The meeting will be preceded by a Civil Society Pre-Conference on 17-18 November, bringing together over 150 representatives of civil society organisations, including the HCC, and social movements working on nutrition from around the world. The planned outcome of this Civil Society Pre-Conference will be a statement laying out the civil society vision for post-ICN2.

The HCC has been involved in the preparatory activities leading up to this meeting, contributing our unique SIDS perspective, to the review process for the 3 major outcome documents: the Political Declaration (PD) (Rome Declaration) the Framework for Action (FFA) and a CSO Vision Statement

Second InternationalConference on NutritionThis is a unique opportunity for countries to discuss how to achieve the Rome Declaration’s overall goal to “eradicate hunger and prevent all forms of malnutrition worldwide, particularly undernourishment, stunting, wasting, underweight and overweight in children under five years of age; and anaemia in women and children among other micronutrient deficiencies; as well as reverse the rising trends in overweight and obesity and reduce the burden of diet-related noncommunicable diseases in all age groups. Against this background, the NCD Alliance and World Cancer Research Fund International have produced a Call to Member States on the ICN2 highlighting priority commitments in the Rome Declaration. We urge you to read this document and disseminate within your networks.

See also concept note for Non-State Actors Participation here

The link between food, nutrition, diet and non-communicable diseases

The NCD Alliance and World Cancer Research Fund International have updated their joint policy brief on “The link between food, nutrition, diet and non-communicable diseases. Download here

Ahead of the ICN2: How to Change the Food System - This video shares perspectives on the link between poverty and malnutrition in all its forms. Watch here

NOURISHING framework

NOURISHING framework

As the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) approaches (19-21 November), the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRCFI) are pleased to let you know that they've updated their NOURISHING policy database with more policy actions from around the world. They have included many of the exciting actions taking place in Latin America, including in nutrition labelling (“N”), offering healthy foods in schools (“O”), restricting food advertising (“R”) and improving the nutritional quality of the whole food supply (“I”). They have also paid particular attention to public awareness campaigns (“I”), which are recommended to be part of a comprehensive approach in tackling unhealthy diets in the Framework for Action to be discussed at ICN2. They now have a total of 223 policy actions included in the database. We hope you find this information useful to learn about some of the actions that can be taken to implement the primary commitment to be made at ICN2 – addressing malnutrition in all its forms, including overweight, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases. The HCC is working on populating the database with Caribbean information. Please feel free to share country progress in these areas with us or directly with WCRCFI. Read more

News Roundup

Put the WORLD back in #WDD2014 #insulin4all

Let's put the WORLD back in World Diabetes Day #insulin4all

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition/Youth4NCDs and dance4lifeBarbados teach young people about the importance of their voice as NCD advocates for access to lifesaving medicines especially in low and middle income countries. Diabetes is a major challenge in the Caribbean and it is critically important for us to involve young people as meaningful stakeholders in national and regional dialogue around the enormous NCD related challenges facing us today. Read more

The Trinidad and Tobago Coalition for Tobacco Control (TTCTC) on Track

The Trinidad and Tobago Coalition for Tobacco Control (TTCTC) on TrackOn November 13th, 2014 the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society (TTCS) brought together over 30 Trinidad-based civil society organisations to initiate a process that will lead to the official establishment of the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition for Tobacco Control (TTCTC). The initiative was funded by the NCD Alliance (NCDA) and Medtronic Philanthropy through the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) - managed NCDA programme “Strengthening Health Systems, Supporting NCD Action”.. Read more

No Surprise ... Industry Says No to Proposed Soft Drink Tax in Barbados

Industry Says No to Proposed Soft Drink Tax in Barbados

Operators of Banks Holdings Limited (BHL) have given thumbs down to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) suggestion that Government impose a tax on soft drinks. Chief commercial officer at BHL Ray Chee-A-Tow said if the Freundel Stuart administration accepted that recommendation, the group’s soft drink manufacturing business, the Barbados Bottling Company (BBC), would be negatively impacted. Yet Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean continue to struggle with some of the highest obesity rates in the world, fuelled by poor diets and inadequate physical activity. While soft drinks alone may not be the only reason for an increase in body fat and associated morbidity, these fizzy drinks contain no essential nutrients, have a high sugar content and a strong link to weight gain. Drinking just one a day increases the likelihood of being overweight by 27% for adults and 55% for children. There is a strong role for civil society including consumer groups in advocating for this type of taxation. While Barbadians consider these new taxes perhaps they should look to Mexico which has become the standard bearer in the global fight against obesity, where parliamentarians passed a law imposing significant taxes on junk food and sugary drinks. The jury is still out on the impact however there have already been noticeable declines in sales of soft drinks in a country which is the single largest per capita consumer of Coca-Cola products and one of the world’s most obese countries where diabetes is a top killer of its people.

What do you think? Tax or not? Let us know take part in our poll

Related links:

Dietary Guidelines for The Brazilian Population

Dietary Guidelines for The Brazilian Population

The HCC was incredibly impressed with this publication which was presented at the 3rd Salt Smart Meeting in Brasilia late in October 2014. Given the cultural similarities in diet between the Caribbean and Brasil we believe this handbook has significant utility in the Caribbean. We would like to commend the Ministry of Health in Brazil and in particular Dr. Patricia Jaime and Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson. We strongly urge NCD Focal points, CMOs and other key Ministries as well as our CSO members to actively use the document as a resource both professionally and personally. Download here

Burger containing 98 per cent of a woman's recommended daily calorie allowance criticised as ‘irresponsible’ by nutritionist

irresponsible burgerDouble Donut Burger is topped by two glazed donuts and contains 1966 calories. A burger containing 98 per cent of a woman’s recommended daily calorie intake has been labelled “ludicrous” and “irresponsible” by a leading nutritionist. Pub-restaurant chain Hungry Horse’s Double Donut Burger, which is sold with the tagline ‘So Wrong It’s Right’, includes two beef burgers topped with melted cheese, four smoked streaky bacon rashers and barbeque sauce served in two grilled glazed ring donuts. Read more

PM Stuart raises concerns about chronic diseases

PM Stuart raises concerns about chronic diseasesThe incidence of chronic non- communicable diseases (CNCDs) is not only a health matter, but one which can adversely affect the national development of this country. That is the view of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who told those attending a symposium and exhibition at the Radisson Aquatica Resort, hosted by the Human Resource Management Association of Barbados (HRMAB), that seven out of every ten persons in this country is suffering from a CNCD and will die if efforts are not made to address this reality. Read more

Slides and Recording of the 2nd Caribapan Webinar Now Available

Gaps in Current Regional Alcohol Policy and the desire for Change - Opportunities for Civil Society Organizations.Recording of the The Caribapan webinar 'Gaps in Current Regional Alcohol Policy and the desire for Change - Opportunities for Civil Society Organizations.' presnted by Dr. Rohan Maharaj is a Senior Lecturer in Family Medicine and a Fellow of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians. This took place on Tuesday November 11h 2014, can now be watched here.

The presentation slides are also available here.

Alcohol control

Alcohol control

The over consumption of alcohol is an established risk factor for chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, many cancers and liver disease. Price and availability of alcohol have made it easier than ever for people to drink more for less.

  • Local retail
  • Public space

Read more

NCD Alliance E-Alert, news from the NCD Alliance

NCD Connect, NCD Child Newsletter

Global exposure for Barbadian-designed app, MediRevu - MediRevu, the brainchild of three young Barbadians, recently scored another success when it was shortlisted by the World Entrepreneurship Forum as one of five finalists to pitch to its CrowdDen VC panel in Lyon, France on October 21. MediRevu is an app that helps patients suffering from non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity – and their doctors – to keep track of appointments, treatments and patients’ health conditions. Read more

Youth Voices

Unhealthy patterns of behaviour start young. Poor diet, inactivity, smoking and substance abuse all set the stage for serious health problems later in life. If we are going to turn this problem on its head, we need to start listening to what young people have to say. Read more

The Growing Price Gap between More and Less Healthy FoodsThe Growing Price Gap between More and Less Healthy Foods

Analysis of a Novel Longitudinal UK Dataset. The UK government has noted the public health importance of food prices and the affordability of a healthy diet. Yet, methods for tracking change over time have not been established. We aimed to investigate the prices of more and less healthy foods over time using existing government data on national food prices and nutrition content. Read more

New Report Highlights Impacts of Trade Agreements on Human Rights In The Pacific, Including the Right to Health and the Right to Food

New Report Highlights Impacts of Trade Agreements on Human Rights In The Pacific, Including the Right to Health and the Right to FoodThe report jointly produced by UNDP, UNOHCHR and the WHO show how trade, development and human rights need to be brought together in a more integrated and inclusive manner for the benefit of Pacific Islands Peoples. Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are characterized by small, remote, scattered landmasses. Their populations are small. Volatile growth, narrow bases, high import dependence and vulnerability to external shocks characterise most PICs economies. Inequality, vulnerability and exclusion are on the rise in many PICs and all are affected by crisis level incidence of non-communicable diseases resulting from profound changes in local food production and consumption systems brought about by trade liberalization in the past three decades. These features among others often test the limits of contemporary economic theory about the benefits of trade for PICs. Read more

National Forum Meeting 2014

It’s all about impact - Effort is important but it’s impact that matters. The National Forum’s 12th Annual Meeting brought together over 100 participants from 65 organizations for a day focused on collaborating for impact. Leaders from academia, government, health systems, industry, and nonprofits shared successful practices for quality improvement and disease prevention. Read more

NCD Articles on WebMD

  • Do you know your BMI? - Enter a few details and get a lot to help you live healthy. Read more
  • Warning Signs of Bladder Cancer - It can be treated if discovered early. Learn to spot the symptoms - like blood in the urine - that could signal an underlying problem. Read more
  • Air Pollution Affects More Than Lungs - Recent studies link it to conditions including autism and obesity. But the risks to pregnant women and their children may be the most troubling. Read more
  • The 13 Best Quit-Smoking Tips Ever - Cigarettes put your heart at serious risk. Explore some proven ways to put your smoking habit to rest forever. 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

The work of HCC would not be possible without core funding from Sagicor Life Inc

Sagicor Life Inc.