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What does a 7 year old future scientist from Trinidad and Tobago, an aspiring graphic designer from Antigua and Barbuda and a race car driver fan from Barbados have in common? They all live with type 1 diabetes.

This two-part series (read Part 2 here) aims to educate Caribbean readers about diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes (which is often misunderstood), through the lived experiences of children and youth with this condition. It details their day-to-day experiences, challenges, successes and solutions to better protect persons living with diabete –  one of the most common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in our region.

Type 1 diabetes, which is often overlooked, traditionally called childhood-onset or juvenile diabetes, occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. A combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to cause the majority of Type 1 diabetes cases. At present, Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and although Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age it is most common in childhood and adolescence.

Jawan, 7, from Trinidad and Tobago was diagnosed at 3 years. His sister Tiana, 4, was also diagnosed at the same age.

Xarriah, 22, from Barbados, was diagnosed at age 10, the day before her 11th birthday.

Kerro, 20, from Antigua and Barbuda remembers being surrounded by frantic nurses at a school fair when she decided, out of curiosity, to get her blood sugar checked. Kerro, who was 12 when she was diagnosed, remembers the day clearly:

First thing I remember, honestly, was the frantic nurses. Everyone was frantic and I was kinda confused because I felt normal. At the time my sugar was around 382, 383. And everyone was so alarmed, they just kept checking my sugar levels over and over again because they thought there was a malfunction with the machines.

A normal blood sugar reading for children between the ages of 6-12 (before a meal) should range between 90 to 180 mg/dL (5.0 to 10.0 mmol/L). Xarriah, Jawan and Tiana also had abnormal readings.

Once diagnosed, children and young people living with type 1 diabetes and their families must navigate a new reality inclusive of blood sugar checks, taking insulin, homework, play and engaging with peers.

Both Jawan and Tiana shared that they don’t like living with the condition. When asked why, Jawan said “I don’t like taking my sugar and waiting 20 minutes to eat.” Similarly Tiana said, “I don’t like it. I don’t like taking my insulin.”

This is a sentiment that was felt by Kerro and Xarriah as well.

There are a lot of adjustments post-diagnosis. For example, 12 year old newly diagnosed Kerro hated needles but she had to face her fear when she was told she had to inject herself 5-6 times a day (excluding the finger pricks for her sugar checks). She remembers being confronted with this new reality when the nurses at the hospital taught her how to give herself insulin. She “hated it” and recalls it taking a while to get adjusted.

Given that Jawan and Tiana are still quite young, their mom Penelope often wakes up throughout the night to check their sugar levels.

At nights I stay up a few hours because I have to monitor them during the night as well because sometimes their readings are very good just before going to bed but two hours later, if you check them randomly, their levels drop and sometimes they don’t. So you don’t know where they are during the night. And so I do get up some nights, at 1am, well in the morning actually at 1am, I do a random check and sometimes I get up at 3am again. It is very unpredictable.

She also visits their school around lunch time to check in on them. The teachers, whom she is in close contact with, often alert her in the event of any issues/problems.

Although both Kerro and Xarriah recently graduated college and university, their primary and secondary school experiences as recently diagnosed children living with diabetes are easy to remember.

For Kerro, she recalls her peers’ reaction when she had to give herself insulin in class:

At the time I was in grade 6 and it was still new to everyone in the class too. They literally used to run out of the class when they saw the needle. At first I would laugh because I was like “a needle? Ya’ll are running from a needle?” but after a while I was like, why are they running? It started to feel a little lonely in a sense. Only 1 or 2 people would stay back in the class. And at the time my classroom was like 39 students.

She also had to debunk a lot of myths about diabetes while at school. She was stared at while taking insulin and peers asked a lot of questions; one student even asked her if she was taking drugs.

Xarriah also describes her secondary school classmates as being curious but accepting overall.

I have heard some people saying that their classmates tease them but I felt like my classmates were okay. They always had my back. They asked questions and I answered as much as I could but they were pretty accepting. They were very accepting, not pretty accepting, very accepting. They accepted, understood and asked questions and I answered.

In addition to managing curious classmates, children and young people living with type 1 diabetes also have to navigate how, when and what they eat at school.

Given the prevalence of unhealthy foods in schools and the desire to be extra cautious with what Jawan and Tiana eat, Penelope packs lunch for them but wishes the school environment made healthy foods more accessible.

For Xarriah, the timing of university classes, particularly the evening classes, and the ability to eat in class was a challenge as she tries to have her last meal before 9:00PM. Some lecturers allow her to eat during class but others do not.

In addition to school-specific challenges, these superheroes also spoke about dealing with the sugar ‘highs and lows’.

Kerro shared that whenever she gets the lows (low blood sugar), it feels like “you’re on edge, you’re irritated, you just don’t know what’s going on. And then I realized that when I was little I used to experience the same feeling but I didn’t know what it was. I used to feel weak and almost like trembling in a sense. But I just used to think it’s because I didn’t eat or I was tired.”

Jawan, in his few years of living with type 1 has also experienced some scary lows. Penelope recalls that he had 2 seizures which have presented very differently with varying symptoms. During his most recent seizure, he was unresponsive, fell and hit his mouth and burst his lip. It took him quite some time to remember who he was. Penelope recalls that he could hear her but he couldn’t respond. He was aware enough to eat and while she fed him he started to cry. Once he became responsive, Penelope asked him why he was crying and he said “I didn’t know if I was going to make it”.

Living with type 1 diabetes has its ups and downs as described in these real-life accounts. These children and young people have to navigate life while also managing the realities of their condition. Kerro, Xarriah and Penelope mentioned that support from their circle has been critical on their journey.

Both Kerro and Xarriah noted the value of the friendships they made in highschool which followed them into college and beyond. For Kerro, her friends supported her and would step in to answer strangers’ questions when she was too tired. Kerro even taught her friends how to give her insulin if she was ever unable to give it to herself.

Xarriah said that, like Kerro, she has friends from secondary school who “To this day, they still have my back.”

Penelope emphasized the critical role that the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago has played since the time of Jawan’s diagnosis. She speaks warmly about the community, “the love and support from the association and that type 1 [whatsapp] chat, definitely gives me a lot of support…We say this all the time, we are all in it together. Don’t ever feel like you’re alone. When we all come together, it is very emotional, we can’t help it because of the experiences we have had so far. But it really helps when we have that support.”

Children and young people living with type 1 diabetes are superheroes, there is no doubt about it.

Stay tuned for part 2 of the series where Kerro, Xarriah, Penelope, Jawan and Tiana will share the changes they want to see to better support people living with diabetes.

November is World Diabetes Awareness month and November 14th has been deemed World Diabetes Day. The date was chosen in honour of Canadian Sir Frederick Banting, who, together with Charles Best discovered insulin, 100 years ago.

Danielle Walwyn is the Advocacy Officer at the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and helps to coordinate its youth arm, Healthy Caribbean Youth. She is also working alongside Xarriah, superhero and member of the HCC People living with NCDS Advisory Committee, to create a space for young people living with NCDS to connect. Send feedback to danielle.walwyn@healthycaribbean.org

The post Caribbean Superheroes – Children and Youth living with Type 1 Diabetes Part 1 appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) continued it’s annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day (CARD) webinar series with a webinar entitled The WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 – Priorities for the Caribbean.  Panelists shared global and regional updates reflecting on the challenges and opportunities to build momentum around Caribbean alcohol policy within the framework of the Global Alcohol Action Plan.

The HCC and partners have held an annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day for the past 6 years, under the themes and titles: The Misuse of Alcohol (2016); Drink less, Reduce Cancer (2017); Youth: Let’s talk about alcohol (2018);  Women and Alcohol (2019),  Alcohol and COVID-19 (2020) and Live Better, Drink Less: Challenges and Opportunities in the Caribbean (2021) .

This year’s webinar was entitled The WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 – Priorities for the Caribbean.

The objectives of the 7th Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day webinar were:

1. To provide an overview of the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 and implications for key stakeholders globally and regionally.
2. To provide an update on regional progress in alcohol policy development and implementation including discussion of barriers and opportunities.
3. To discuss regional priorities for alcohol policy action within the framework of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 in order to inform a civil society position paper targeting the region’s policymakers entitled: The WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 – Priorities for the Caribbean.

The webinar took the form of a series of brief presentations followed by a panel discussion.

• Introduction: Maisha Hutton HCC Executive Director, Professor Rohan Maharaj, HCC Alcohol Policy Advisor, Professor of Family Medicine of University of the West Indies
• Presentations: Moderator, Maisha Hutton
• ‘WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 – Perspectives from the Region of the Americas’  including a look at PAHO’so #LiveBetterTakeAction campaign and Pahola, PAHOs first digital specialist on alcohol use – Dr. Maristela Monteiro, Senior Advisor on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, PAHO
• Global Perspectives on the WHO Alcohol Action Plan 2022 – 2030 – Mr. Øystein Bakke, Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA); Senior Adviser, Alcohol, Drugs and Development FORUT, Campaign for Development and Solidarity
• Alcohol Policy in the Caribbean Update – Professor Rohan Maharaj, HCC Alcohol Policy Advisor, Professor of Family Medicine of University of the West Indies
• Jamaica National Alcohol Policy – Michael A . Tucker, Executive Director, National Council on Drug Abuse, Jamaica
• Presentation of Priorities – Maisha Hutton HCC Executive Director
• Panel Discussion: Regional priorities for alcohol policy action within the framework of the Action Plan 2022-2030: Moderator – Maisha Hutton
• Closing & Thanks: Maisha Hutton and Professor Rohan Maharaj

Maisha Hutton
HCC Executive Director

Professor Rohan Maharaj
HCC Alcohol Policy Advisor, Professor of Family Medicine of University of the West Indies

Dr. Maristela Monteiro
Senior Advisor on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, PAHO

Mr. Øystein Bakke
Department of Institutional Research, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, West Indies

Michael A . Tucker
Executive Director, National Council on Drug Abuse, Jamaica

View the flyer here

The HCC and partners have held an annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Days (CARD) since 2016 you can find details of the other CARD days here.

The post 7th Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day (CARD) 2022 appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The funding will strengthen vaccine production capacities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Medscape Medical News

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A privately-owned healthcare institution, Royalty Home-Care and Private Nurse Services, has expanded its operations and is now training patient care assistants at its Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo  headquarters. Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Royalty Home-Care and Private Nurse Services, Nurse Alicia Solomon, who is also studying to become a medical doctor, said the institution ...

Sagicor in collaboration with the Healthy Caribbean Coalition has produced the Know Your Numbers Health and Wellness Campaign video series which can be viewed below. Stay tuned every Thursday to learn more!

Introduction

Welcome to our Know Your Numbers series! Our resident nurse Rosanna Springer introduces the series by highlighting why it is important for us to Know Our Numbers.

Episode 1

Your doctor takes your blood pressure when you visit, or you sometimes take it yourself at home. But do you know what the numbers really mean? Dr. Khatija Mangera explains what the numbers mean and what they should be to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Episode 2

When and how should you take your blood pressure correctly? Dr. Khatija Mangera demonstrates with Nurse Rosanna Springer and shares some steps you should take and some items you shouldn’t consume before taking your blood pressure.

Episode 3

In this video, Dr. Joseph Herbert highlights the impact your cholesterol has on all your risks factors, namely heart disease and stroke. Watch as he explains why cholesterol should be taken seriously as it can lead to a number of other medical conditions.

Episode 4

Have you ever heard about good cholesterol or only bad cholesterol? What would contribute to good cholesterol? Dr. Joseph Herbert provides a comprehensive explanation of both and explains how they work.

Episode 5

Blood sugar and HbA1C. Dr. Diane Brathwaite explains factors that affect your blood sugar and provides advice on the importance of knowing your levels throughout the day. Listen to hear about some activities that may impact these readings.

Episode 6

Taking blood sugar readings is something unique to each individual. Dr. Diane Brathwaite explains how the frequency relates to your personal medical condition. Watch as she shares some expert advice on taking blood sugar readings.

Episode 7

Do you know what your Body Mass Index (BMI) is or how it’s calculated? Join Dr. Kia Lewis in this video as she explains these two areas and also learn what the healthy and unhealthy ranges are with regards to BMI.

Episode 8

As we close off this Know Your Numbers video series, Dr. Kia Lewis provides advice on the ideal waist circumference for both men and women. An elevated waist circumference can put you at risk of disease. We encourage you to Know Your Numbers.

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More videos coming every Thursday so please come back next week!

The post Sagicor Know Your Numbers Health and Wellness Campaign appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The cholera situation in Haiti continues to worsen while COVID-19 cases rose over the past week, the Pan American Health Organization said on Wednesday. Reuters Health Information

The HCC has been supporting CIBC First Caribbean in executing various workplace wellness programs. The goal for the  Know Your Number Campaign is to raise awareness and increase detection of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. During the campaign the following health tests were conducted  for the CIBC First Caribbean staff members:

• Blood sugar testing
• Blood pressure testing
• Cholesterol testing
• Body Mass Index
• Body Weight
• Breast Screening (St Kitts and Nevis only)

During the KYN campaign over three hundred (300) persons received health checks.

Also as part of this campaign CIBC First Caribbean in collaboration with the Healthy Caribbean Coalition has produced a series of Health Check videos which can be viewed on the links below.

• Dr. Dawn Alleyne – Asthma
• Dr. Hanbal Yazigi – Cancer
• Dr. Timotheus Dohr – Diabetes
• Dr. Kenneth Connell – Hypertension
• Dr. Keo Forde-St. Hill – Mental Health

Here is a snippet of the HCC/FCIB Know Your Numbers Campaign.

Antigua and Barbuda (Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association)

Twenty- four members, 18 females (75%) and 6 males (25%), staff members were tested in Antigua at the CIBC/FCIB Old Parham Branch.  Participants were also provided with a form for self-assessment of risk for Type 2 Diabetes, an assessment tool created by the American Diabetes Association. Counseling was provided to staff who either had questions or any abnormal results.

Based on test results, the main concerns were overweight and obesity with reported weight gain especially during the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stress was mentioned fairly often including work related stress.

The ABDA team recommends planning future screening programmes and consideration should be made to developing a workplace wellness programme to include stress management.

Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.

Barbados (Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados)

Forty-four (44) employees were screened in Barbados for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, BMI, and visceral fat.  Where adverse results were noted, individual consultations were done. Some clients were advised to seek medical attention due to their high blood pressure readings.

Overall, the Know Your Numbers initiative was proven to be successful, as the screening process exposed abnormally high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and BMI readings, which, before the event would have gone unnoticed. Many employees who were seen became apprised of the need to be more involved in the management of their NCD and the importance of screening and risk factor modification.

Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.

Dominica (Dominica Diabetes Association)

In Dominica twenty-five (25) employees of the CIBC First Caribbean and their relatives received health checks.  Of the employees, DOMDA tested 5 males and 20 females within the age range of 23 and 59 years old.

From the screening, it was noted that more than 75% of the employees were living with a Non-Communicable Disease. Most common was obesity, followed by being overweight, and then Diabetes  and High Blood Pressure. Clients were rather surprised at their BMI and weight readings but with proper education, all were willing to improve their lifestyle.

Overall,  the  activity was a success. DOMDA recommends that future follow up sessions can be conducted for these employees and their relatives.

Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.

Jamaica (Heart Foundation of Jamaica)

During the campaign seventy- nine 79 persons blood sugar, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) health checks. Sixty-four (64) of which were females while fifteen (15) were males.

It is recommended that all persons with abnormal findings and those known to be diagnosed with NCDs schedule an appointment with HFJ’s Nutritionist and/or visit our  hypertensive/diabetic clinic. A three to six months checkup is also recommended for those with normal readings and not known to be diagnosed with the above mentioned conditions. A yearly cardiac checkup or otherwise indicated is also recommended as these conditions can place you at a higher risk for having a heart disease.

No photos were taken.

St Lucia (St. Lucia Diabetes & Hypertension Association)

A total of twenty-one (21) employees were screened for blood pressure, blood sugar, and body analysis by the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertension Association (SLDHA) health

team, at the CIBC First Caribbean  Bridge Street branch. SLDHA screened nineteen (19) females and two (2) males. 48% (9) of persons had elevated BMI levels, 4.7% (1 person) had elevated blood sugars and 42.8% (9 persons had elevated blood pressure).

The education session was very interactive and well received by the staff.

Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.

St Vincent (SVG Diabetes & Hypertension Association)

A total of nineteen (19) staff members took the opportunity to have their health screening done. There were thirteen (13) females and six males. Eighteen (18) people were evaluated for blood glucose. Fifteen (15, 83%) had normal values, while three (3) had prediabetes values.

Their findings were discussed as well as the relevant counseling, such as healthy lifestyle choices and modifications. The topics covered included healthy eating, physical activity, weight loss, stress management, and pamphlets given. Additionally, they were advised to monitor their blood pressure at home and follow up with screenings depending on their readings.  Those with abnormal findings were advised to see their doctor for further evaluation.

Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.

The Bahamas (Healthy Lifestyle Team, HaLt)

The Healthy Lifestyles Team of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas hosted and facilitated the health checks of participants who presented themselves for health checks. Forty-six (46) participants received health checks and brief counseling regarding their results.  They were provided with weight, height, BMI, blood glucose, blood pressure and total cholesterol measurements and the results were documented and dated and presented to each participant for ease of reference. The exercise proved to be quite informative for the participants.

Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.

Grenada (Grenada Food and Nutrition Council and SDA Health Ministries)

In Grenada the team conducted body composition Know Your Numbers assessments (weight, BMI, fat percentage, weight of muscle), blood pressure and blood sugar testing. Nutrition tips and counseling was also provided. A total of thirty (33) persons were seen (23 females and 10 males).

The health team encourages staff and their families to have regular health assessments as well as improve their eating habits so that they gradually make changes to a healthier lifestyle.

Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.

St Kitts and Nevis ( Lake Health Wellbeing, Ministry of Health and International Cooperation Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF)

Eighteen  (18) persons were screened in St Kitts and Nevis. Of this total nine (9)  were male and nine (9)  were female. Twelve (12) persons also participated in the Breast Examination.

Staff members are encouraged to increase physical activity. The SKN Moves initiative and the healthy workplace challenge that the Ministry of Health has launched is a good place to start to help get staff moving.

It is also recommend that continuous health screenings of blood pressure, blood sugar, protein urea and BMI are done every 6 months to a year for persons who are not diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes; those who are diagnosed are encouraged to follow up with their general doctor monthly or as required. The Capacity Building Project of the Prevention and Control of Metabolic Chronic Diseases in the Ministry of Health can assist in the health screenings.

Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.

Trinidad and Tobago (TTNCD Alliance/ Health Net)

The CIBC Know Your Numbers campaign was executed at CIBC’s Port of Spain, #74 Long Circular Road, Maraval and Chaguanas, Sun Plaza, Munroe Road, Chaguanas locations on Thursday 20th October from 9:00am to 12:00pm (simultaneously). Twenty-five (25) persons from each branch were tested.

The service provider, HealthNet, also allocated a doctor to the branches for on-location consultations for the participants. This additional service was welcomed as it added a wholesome approach to the initiative.

Click/tap on the images to view the photo gallery.

The post CIBC First Caribbean Regional Know Your Numbers (KYN) Campaign appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

An UPDATE on the Regional Standard for Labelling of Pre-Packaged Foods

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The Fate of Front of Packaging Warning Labelling in CARICOM

Since September 2022, national representatives have been participating in consultations across the region. The coming weeks and months will be critical for regional public health as we await the outcome of the national deliberations. From a public health perspective, a win is a recommendation to retain the Standard in its current format with the octagonal ‘high in’ warning label as the singular recommended labelling scheme guided by the PAHO nutrient profile model. Will we see a collective reckoning with CARICOM uniting around an agenda that places public health first?  HCC will be working with partners at the regional level and at the national level including Ministries of Health and civil society organisation members, to ensure that the public health perspective is prioritised in the deliberations.

For more on Front of Package Warning Labelling please visit our dedicated webpage here.

What is happening right now?

As of early November 2022, across the region, Caribbean countries are once again deliberating on whether or not to support the right of Caribbean citizens to have the best available front of package nutritional labelling model on their packaged foods. Through their local Standards Bureaus, National Mirror Committees in eleven (11) Member States are reviewing the Draft CARICOM Regional Standard for Specification for labelling of pre-packaged foods (DCRS 5:2010) which incorporates specifications for the ‘high-in’ monochromatic octagonal front of package warning label system (OWL) and the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model to guide the thresholds for labelling of pre-packaged foods as ‘high-in’.

The Standard meets the highest level of scientific rigor including the selection of the octagonal warning label and the PAHO nutrient profile model. There is a growing body of conflict of interest-free, scientific evidence which consistently supports the OWL as the best labelling model for empowering consumers to easily, correctly and quickly identify unhealthy foods ‘high in’ sodium, fats and sugars.   The OWL is also supported by a 2021 randomized controlled trial of adult shoppers conducted in Jamaica which examined the best performing front-of- package labelling (FOPL). The study was undertaken by the University of Technology, the Jamaica Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).  The study found that the OWL consistently outperformed other labelling models (magnifying glass, UK traffic light, and GDA facts up front) helping Jamaican consumers to better identify foods ‘high in’ sodium, fats and sugars.

Wasn’t there a vote on this Standard last year? What was the outcome?

Last year, in 2021, all 15 CARICOM Member States were asked to vote on whether or not they approved the then Final Standard (FDCRS 5). Member States could approve, reject or abstain and a 75% vote of approval was needed to trigger escalation to the next stage of the Standard approval process. Ultimately 66% (6/9) of CARICOM countries voted in favour just falling short of the 75% target (6 countries abstained, 3 opposed, and 6 approved the Standard).   The vote was very close – had one of the 9 countries that either abstained or voted against the Standard, voted in favour, then the 75% target would have been achieved.  The inability to achieve consensus stalled the process and thrust it back into the consultations phase, further extending a long and exhaustive consultative period that began in 2018.

Why do we need more consultations? What has changed?

The consultations have recently resumed with Member States now being asked to make recommendations on what should be done with the Standard given the release of a study designed and implemented by the recently formed Caribbean Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, and the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA).  The CPSO, an Official Associate Institution of CARICOM, represents, amongst other sectors, the region’s food and beverage manufacturing sector. So the national deliberations are now being informed by two studies: the first study was conducted by an academic institution (University of Technology Jamaica) in partnership with national (Ministry of Health and Wellness Jamaica) and regional (PAHO) health authorities. The second study was conducted by a regional private sector umbrella organisation representing national private sector entities including those – the ultra-processed food and beverage sector – with a vested interest in the outcome of the study.

Better Labels, Better Choices, Better Health – why we need strong evidence-based front of package warning labelling

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of sickness, death and disability in the Caribbean. Rates of overweight and obesity are among the highest in the world and most worrying among children where 1 in 3 children and adolescents is living with overweight or obese. Unhealthy diets are a major risk factor contributing to the high rates of obesity and NCDs. Unhealthy diets are fueled by the widespread availability, accessibility, affordability, desirability, and consumption of ultra-processed products which contain high levels of “critical nutrients” of public health concern, namely sugars, total fats, saturated fats, trans fats and sodium.

The OWL empowers consumers of all ages, literacies and those living with NCDs, to quickly identify and avoid foods which are ‘high in’ sodium, fats and sugars.  Other labelling schemes such as the traffic light or the GDA (facts up front) do not present this information.  Instead they tell you the amount of grams of these nutrients (sodium, fats, sugars) and most consumers are unable touse this information to determine if the product is healthy or not, it only allows them to compare between unhealthy products.

Front of package warning labelling is also an enabling foundational policy which allows governments to easily identify those foods and beverage products which need to be regulated (restricted in schools for example) in order to support consumers in making the healthy choice the easy choice.

There is strong regional support for the OWL. Last year HCC, PAHO, the OECS Commission and UNICEF, implemented a regional campaign in support of the octagonal ‘high in’ warning labels – Better Labels, Better Choices, Better Health. The campaign was supported by almost 50 regional organisations and over 340 regional health professionals.

The Fate of the Warning Labelling in CARICOM

Since September 2022, national representatives have been participating in consultations across the region. The coming weeks and months will be critical for regional public health as we await the outcome of the national deliberations. From a public health perspective, a win is a recommendation to retain the Standard in its current format with the octagonal ‘high in’ warning label as the singular recommended labelling scheme guided by the PAHO nutrient profile model. Will we see a collective reckoning with CARICOM uniting around an agenda that places public health first?  HCC will be working with partners at the regional level and at the national level including Ministries of Health and civil society organisation members, to ensure that the public health perspective is prioritised in the deliberations

For more on Front of Package Warning Labelling please visit our dedicated webpage here.

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