NCD Focal Points from Across the Caribbean Leading the Charge Against NCDs

With less than 40 days to go before the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, HCC would like to use this opportunity to highlight these remarkable NCD Focal Points from across the Caribbean who are leading the charge against NCDs. We proudly honour your unwavering leadership and inspiring impact. Keep leading the way! We encourage you to submit nominations of Caribbean NCD Leaders, individuals and organisations, who you believe should be celebrated for their acts- small or large- which have changed the trajectory of the NCD response in your communities or countries.

On 7 August, several Member States broke the silence on the draft Political Declaration for the 4th UN High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on NCDs and Mental Health. 

The NCD Alliance has raised concern that the latest version of the Declaration (Revision 3) is less ambitious than earlier drafts, with weakened global targets, softer fiscal measures, and diluted prevention policies. This development risks further weakening of the text, undermining the global community’s ability to meet SDG target 3.4 and protect lives. 

Read the update here

The NCD Alliance is calling on Member States to:

• Support and retain global NCD targets
• Strengthen language on fiscal measures (paragraph 43) and protect policymakers from conflicts of interest with health-harming industries

What you can do as an NCD advocate: 

Contact your Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Permanent Mission in New York to urge them to maintain ambitious and accountable language on NCD targets and health taxes in the Declaration. 

To support your outreach, the NCD Alliance has prepared a template advocacy letter (English; Spanish and French coming soon), which you can adapt for your country context: Download the template letter here 

This is a crucial moment for NCD advocacy. Your voice and engagement can help secure strong commitments for our region and the world.

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CBU: The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) has again partnered with the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), which is hosting its 56th Annual General Assembly (AGA) and 36th Caribbean Media Awards (CMAs) in Bridgetown, Barbados from August 18 – 20, 2025. The HCC, with the support of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), is the sponsor of two (2) Themed categories Print and Television under the theme Healthy Nutrition Food Policy. This marks the third consecutive year of the sponsored Print Themed category and second consecutive year of the sponsored Television Themed category for the HCC.

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Sagicor: Hosted by Dr. Kenneth Connell, President of the HCC and Deputy Dean of Recruitment and Outreach at the UWI Faculty of Medicine, The Wellness Effect is a video podcast series designed to educate our communities about the dangers of NCDs. It will show the impact on not just their physical but their financial wellbeing. The series is a partnership between Sagicor, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and the UWI Faculty of Medicine.

Prominent Youth Health Champion Appointed to the UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change!

Ashley Lashley (left), in her role as CARICOM Youth Ambassador, supported HCY and HSFB members in delivering a letter to the CARICOM Secretary General during the 48th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in February 2025. The Letter outlined youth health advocates’ key asks for a a healthier CARICOM.  

On behalf of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and its youth arm, Healthy Caribbean Youth, we would like to congratulate Ms. Ashley Lashley on her recent appointment to the UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change . Ashley has demonstrated her commitment to not just amplifying young people’s voices but creating spaces for them to hone their own voices and lead. From her advocacy focused on the prevention and control of NCDs as a teenager to her region and global missions, Ashley has continuously delivered bold calls for action to support a healthy and sustainable future, especially for youth in Small Island Development States. Congratulations Ashley! We look forward to supporting you as you fulfill this appointment. 

Related Media:

Barbados Today: Barbadian youth leader Ashley Lashley appointed to UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change

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Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition Youth Advocates get Barbados' Minister of Educational Transformation, the Honourable Chad Blackman to join their step up to protect children’s health movement!

PAHO: The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC) is celebrating the tremendous contributions of youth in advancing health and well-being across the region. 

Over the years, PAHO-ECC has worked closely with dynamic youth groups and advocates, building strong partnerships that have shaped conversations on some of the most pressing health challenges of our time. 

In our recent work together, topics such as mental health and suicide prevention have been central. Youth voices have shaped conversations, influenced policies, and driven creative approaches to complex challenges. Organizations like Let’s Unpack It, Healthy Caribbean Youth, and the Ashley Lashley Foundation are doing commendable work, and we proudly celebrate their efforts.

NCD Alliance: The Global Week for Action on NCDs aims to unite the NCD movement each year under a specific theme, concentrating our combined efforts with the aim of reducing the NCD burden globally and increasing health and equality. Join the 2024-2025 campaign!

PAHO: As part of the Digital Literacy Program, we will address key topics to strengthen your digital skills: Telehealth and Telemedicine, Vital Statistics and Health Data Management. 

Join the webinars, masterclasses, and sessions with experts.

Global Week for Action on NCDs 2021

People, Participation, Progress

The NCD Alliance led Global Week for Action on NCDs took place during the week 6-12 September 2021 under the theme PEOPLE. PARTICIPATION. PROGRESS.

The annual Global Week for Action on NCDs seeks to ensure NCD prevention and care get the attention and action they deserve, everywhere, for everyone. For 2021, the Global Week for Action on NCDs celebrates the power and potential of communities to co-create healthier societies.