The third webinar of our special COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean series: THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean – The Legacy, took place on Friday July 24th 2020 from 10:00am – 11:30am and featured youth experts who presented their professional and personal perspectives on how the Caribbean region, particularly the health systems, that can “build back better” especially for youth and young PLWNCDs from the COVID experience.
BACKGROUND
On March 27th 2020, the HCC published an Open Letter to CARICOM Heads calling for ‘urgent action to protect those living with NCDs from COVID-19’. On March 31st, 2020, the HCC released the HCC COVID-19 Advocacy and Communication Strategy to guide HCC advocacy efforts and communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy has five primary objectives: increase knowledge about COVID-19 and NCDs; promote access to, and consumption of, healthy foods; promote access to essential medicines and treatments for people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs); promote good mental and physical health; and engage young people as key players in the COVID-19 response. The strategy aims to contribute to universal health and universal health coverage (UH/UHC) and reduction of inequities, which is a key HCC guiding principle.
This webinar series fulfils two of the four strategies identified to deliver on the objectives of the HCC COVID-19 Communication Strategy: information dissemination and strengthening of CSO communication networks for information and experience sharing. The webinars will target a number of stakeholder groups, foremost of which are HCC CSO member organisations. Secondary target groups include regional policymakers and technical personnel across various ministries (including health, education, finance, trade etc.), members of academia, national, regional and international partners, the general public including students and the private sector.
The webinar series aims to build advocacy capacity for the promotion of initiatives and policies that support the long-term health of all, particularly vulnerable persons and those PLWNCDs. The webinars will leverage the expertise of diverse stakeholders and partners including civil society actors, technical officers, academics, health care practitioners, and youth to bring awareness to the varied and complex dimensions of COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean in order to guide the multisectoral approach needed to pave the way forward. They will showcase the experiences and lessons learned thus far and highlight good practices in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of these efforts. Current initiatives, solutions and policy recommendations will be discussed to ensure that we “build back better” by strengthening our whole-of-society response to shaping the COVID-19 health legacy.
WEBINAR 3: THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 AND NCDS IN THE CARIBBEAN – THE LEGACY
The objective of this webinar: “The Future Talks”: COVID AND NCDs in the CARIBBEAN – THE LEGACY was to gain insight from youth experts who will present their professional and personal perspectives on how the region’s health systems can “build back better” from the COVID experience.
Youth have a critical role in helping to shape a world where their generation and future generations thrive. The urgency to “build back better” effectively is intensified by two major global targets: the 25% reduction in premature death from the four major NCDs by 2025 and a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promotion of mental health and well-being by 2030 (target 3.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals). The way that the world rebuilds affects youth and their voice is instrumental, especially now as we explore the COVID-19 health legacy.
The pandemic renewed discussions around inefficiencies in the region’s health care systems, specifically in the area of NCD service delivery. The youth experts will share their perspectives on the implications of the pandemic on patient management, nutrition and mental health services and provide insight into the changes needed to better address the health of key populations and protect PLWNCDs (including young PLWNDs); these changes include support for youth advocacy, effective research and health policy including tobacco control measures.
The global 2025 and 2030 deadlines are approaching, the urgency is evident, and the timing is opportune – the youth experts will provide their perspectives on how the region should purposefully rebuild to ensure that “no one is left behind”.
THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean the Legacy. (view/download the flyer and the Concept Note)
Introductions Ms. Maisha Hutton, Executive Director HCC and Mr. Pierre Cooke Jr. Youth Voices Technical Advisor, HCC
Moderators
Ms. Danielle Walwyn
Advocacy Officer
Healthy Caribbean Coalition
Mr. Pierre Cooke Jr.
Youth Voices Technical Advisor
Healthy Caribbean Coalition
Presentations/Speakers
The Legacy – Nutrition & Youth Advocacy
Ms. Edith Soria – Mexico
The Legacy – Tobacco Control & Youth Advocacy
Mr. Margianta Surahman Juhanda Dinata – Indonesia
The Legacy – Mental Health
Ms. Tara Armour – Trinidad
The Legacy – Health Systems
Dr. Keddy Moïse – Haiti
The Legacy – Research
Ms. Eden Augustus – Trinidad
The Legacy – Policy Environment
Ms. Kimberley Benjamin – Barbados
Presentations:
- The Legacy – Nutrition & Youth Advocacy – Ms. Edith Soria view/download.
- The Legacy – Tobacco Control & Youth Advocacy – Mr. Margianta Surahman Juhanda Dinata view/download.
- The Legacy – Mental Health – Ms. Tara Armour view/download.
- The Legacy – Health Systems – Dr. Keddy Moïse view/download.
- The Legacy – Research – Ms. Eden Augustus view/download.
- The Legacy – Policy Environment – Ms. Kimberley Benjamin view/download.
Moderated Q & A with Webinar Speakers and closing remarks.
WEBINAR 1: CIVIL SOCIETY ROUNDTABLE: COVID-19 AND NCDS IN THE CARIBBEAN
The objective of the first webinar: Civil Society Perspectives on COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean was to provide a platform for Caribbean CSO leadership to share and showcase their experiences, challenges, successes and lessons learned in responding to COVID-19 and planning for the future beyond COVID-19. Read more
WEBINAR 2: THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 AND NCDS IN THE CARIBBEAN
The objective of the second webinar: THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 AND NCDS IN THE CARIBBEAN was to highlight the experiences youth face during COVID, including those living with NCDs. The webinar also served as a platform to amplify the youth’s perspective on the monumental change needed moving forward to protect PLWNCDs and lessen the burden for future generations. Read more
WEBINAR 4: WEIGHING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19: NUTRITION, OVERWEIGHT, OBESITY AND NCDS
The objective of the fourth webinar: “Weighing the Impact of COVID-19: Nutrition, Overweight, Obesity and NCDs” was to reflect on the nutrition environment over the course of the pandemic and the resulting direct and indirect impacts on health; and discuss individual and population level strategies to encourage improved nutrition and management of diet-related NCDs during and after the pandemic. Read more
WEBINAR 5: RE-OPENING SCHOOLS: SHARED PERSPECTIVES ON NAVIGATING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE “CLASSROOM” DURING COVID-19
The objective of the fifth webinar, “Re-opening Schools: Shared perspectives on navigating mental health during COVID-19” was to explore the mental health concerns of key actors within schools as they reopened across the region and to discuss strategies to cultivate school ecosystems that support positive mental health and well-being. Read more