Movendi International with the support of the RESET Alcohol Initiative has released a groundbreaking new report: The Big Alcohol Exposed Annual Report 2024 “From Sports to Screens – Exposing Big Alcohol’s Predatory Practices”.

The report sheds light on how the alcohol industry operated in 2024 in the pursuit of its profit maximization agenda no matter the human and societal costs. It exposes key themes of Big Alcohol interference in societies around the world, a host of dubious strategies putting people and communities in harm’s way, and new data substantiating the alcohol industry’s conflict of interest. The report summarizes the most appalling cases of misconduct and predatory practices. Through deliberate, systematic strategies, the Big Alcohol embeds itself in spaces we trust – sports, digital platforms, and wellness culture – while actively undermining evidence-based policies that protect people’s health.

The Power of Big Soda

The Olympic Games captured the attention of people across the globe. The 30.6 million average primetime viewership was 82% higher than the audience of the 2020 Tokyo Games – an incredible feat for the broadcast networks behind the Games. However, Olympic viewers were not just taking in the incredible achievements of athletes - viewers were also bombarded with overt and more surreptitious adverts for the Games’ longest standing partner: Coca-Cola - the largest soda company in the world.

The Olympic Games have been sponsored by this single beverage company since 1928 and their current contract extends until the 2032 Brisbane Games. The term ‘Big Soda’ refers to the global multimillion dollar soft drink industry giants. Sponsoring a large sporting event like the Olympics provides ‘Big Soda’ companies like Coca-Cola with unparalleled opportunities to market their products to enormous audiences, despite their negative impacts on viewers’ health and the environment. Additionally, sponsorship of sporting events allows companies to associate their products with historic moments and leading athletes. This practice, known as "sports washing," gives unhealthy items like sugary drinks a misleading "health halo”, disguised as healthy while their overconsumption fuels the obesity and noncommunicable disease (NCD) crisis.

Photo: iStock

Barbados Today: The Barbados School Nutrition Policy, introduced by the Ministry of Education, began the process of phasing out unhealthy snacks in schools. While canteen concessionaires have removed these products, some other factions inside and outside of schools continue to sell them, undermining the policy’s goal of promoting healthier eating.

Lake Health and Wellbeing: From 21st to 22nd October 2024, I had the privilege of travelling to Samoa to attend the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF), held alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). CHOGM, which brings together leaders from across the 56 Commonwealth nations every two years, serves as a vital platform for addressing pressing global issues and promoting collaboration for a better, shared future. This year’s CHOGM was guided by the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.”

Photo: Health Policy Watch website

Health Policy Watch: Sugary drinks are driving new cases of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a study published in Nature this week.

One in five new type 2 diabetes cases in Sub-Saharan Africa and a quarter of those in Latin America and the Caribbean are attributable to sugary drinks, according to researchers from Tufts University’s School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Photo: Lincoln Rogers

T&T Daily Express: There has been a notable rise in alcohol consumption across Trinidad and Tobago over the past 13 years. This is according to data provided by Dr Maria Clapperton, director of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Unit at the Ministry of Health. The survey, which sampled 4,052 adults aged 18 to 69, reveals concerning trends in both lifestyle habits and health outcomes that may have significant implications for public health.

Photo: Michael Sloley

JIS:   A new state-of-the-art immunohistochemistry (IHC) machine, installed at the National Public Health Laboratory in Kingston, was commissioned into service on Wednesday (January 15). The unveiling of the VENTANA® BenchMark GX, valued US$419,584.38, is intended to strengthen the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ capabilities in managing breast cancer analysis, diagnosis and treatment.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George

Photo: Loop News website

Loop News: The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the overall health and well-being of Saint Lucians. The Ministry has made significant strides in addressing chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which continue to account for over 75% of all deaths in Saint Lucia. “Guided by data trends and the 2019 Behavior Risk Factor Survey, the Ministry prioritized strengthening primary healthcare services. This effort includes the introduction of free cervical and prostate cancer screenings, which saw a substantial uptake in 2024. In 2025, we plan to expand these services to include breast cancer screening and snake bite management at no cost to patients”, elaborated Dr. George.

Development of an Agenda for Research and Action on Climate Change and Health in the Caribbean

National Library of Medicine: This paper delineates the development of the Caribbean Research for Action Agenda which aims to empower Caribbean Small Island Developing States to reduce their vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change on health.

Jamaica Observer: Caribbean countries need to urgently address the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that account for more than 75 per cent of all deaths in the region. Health experts from the World Bank and regional stakeholders say such losses are having devastating economic consequences, including productivity losses and unsustainable healthcare costs.

WHO: 24 – 25 April 2025 Geneva, Switzerland. The Second General Meeting of the Global Coordination Mechanism on NCDs (GCM/NCD) will convene Civil Society Actors and partners to put forward recommendations on accelerating multisectoral and multistakeholder responses to NCDs and mental health conditions. The event marks one of several major milestones on the road to 2025 and the Fourth High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on NCDs (HLM4).

Wednesday October 5th, 2022 the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and it’s partners hosted a webinar entitled #ActOnFacts – The Food In Our Schools Matter. In this webinar distinguished panellists and speakers discuss lessons learned around the implementation of healthy school policies across the Caribbean, and share a new resource to assist CARICOM countries in harmonising healthy school policy regulation.