President Irfaan Ali on Saturday announced that efforts were underway to get children to spend less time on their mobile phones and electronic devices and instead engage in more sports and physical activity to promote a healthier lifestyle. “Even if we have to put free WiFi in the park to get the children out of ...

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday said Guyana has asked the United States (US) to provide proof that Cuban workers were being exploited in Guyana, amid the Trump administration’s decision to cancel the visas of foreign government workers and their immediate family members if Cubans continue to be put into forced labour. “We also said to ...

OPEN LETTER
The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment
And
The Honourable Ryan R. Straughn, M.P.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment

15 March, 2024

Dear The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley and The Honourable Ryan R. Straughn,

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) in partnership with our member organisation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados and the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition, extends its congratulations to the Government of Barbados for its bold decision to implement a 20 percent excise tax on snacks high in salt and to remove import duties and VAT on selected fruits and vegetables, effective June 1st, 2025.

The Caribbean has the highest noncommunicable disease (NCD) mortality rate in the Americas, with 40 percent of these deaths occurring prematurely before the age of 70. This disproportionately affects the most productive members of society, leading to severe socioeconomic consequences, particularly as aging populations place increasing strain on already vulnerable economies. According to data from the Health of the Nation Survey (2011), 41 percent of Barbadian adults aged 25 and older are diagnosed with high blood pressure and more than half of all men and women above the age of 45 were hypertensive.

The introduction of the excise tax on snacks with high salt content is a proactive measure aimed at reducing the consumption of unhealthy, ultra-processed products high in salt, sugar and fat, while the removal of taxes on fruits and vegetables will improve affordability and accessibility to healthier dietary options for all citizens. We are also encouraged by the Government of Barbados’ additional commitment of $1 million each year to support public education on NCDs. These interventions, which form a broader strategy to tackle the pressing health and economic impacts of obesity and NCDs in Barbados, complement the 20 percent tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and the National School Nutrition Policy, These policy measures align with the Declaration of Mission Barbados, which sets a target of achieving a 50 percent reduction in new cases of NCDs. Additionally they reflect the government’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030.

As we build on the progress of the 2007 Port-of-Spain Declaration and look ahead to the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on NCDs in September, strong leadership remains essential in reducing the NCD burden and improving the quality of life for those affected. We trust that the Government of Barbados will continue to demonstrate strong leadership and serve as a model for CARICOM by prioritizing the implementation of cost-effective high-impact interventions outlined in the WHO Best Buys and other evidence-based strategies for NCD prevention.

Signed 

The President and Board of Directors of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition

The post Open Letter to The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P. appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

On the 13 March, 2025 in commemoration of World Obesity Day and under the theme “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives”, the HCC hosted a webinar, “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives: The Caribbean Road to UN High Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health” attended by over 150 people it covered the following:

• it outlined key advocacy priorities for Caribbean countries in preparation for the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs.
• it presented examples of ongoing efforts and success stories in NCD prevention, control, and advocacy within the Caribbean region, highlighting potential progress or setbacks if advocacy priorities are not addressed.
• it explored how attendees can amplify the Regional Advocacy Priorities through their local, regional and global work.

Useful resources:

• Conflict of Interest in Policymaking for Non-communicable Diseases a Primer for Public Sector Policymakers in the Caribbean
• Safeguarding Public Health Nutrition in the Caribbean During Emergencies: Guidelines for Managing Donations from the Commercial Sector
• GCHA’s Latin America Caribbean Network is one of those spaces where we can begin strategizing and collaborating around climate change and health. Become a member:
• WHO Best Buys

Presenters

The post Webinar: Changing Systems, Healthier Lives appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

One of three firemen, who were injured while battling the blaze that destroyed Mae’s School in Subryanville, Georgetown, died Saturday night at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), prompting claims by his family of hospital negligence. Voshaun Manbodh (1871), 27, was injured on February 5 when the burning structure collapsed on him and two other ...

President Irfaan Ali announced that a system was being put in place for mothers to receive the GY$100,00 cash grant within one week of giving birth before they leave hospital. He told mothers at the launch of the initiative that officials of the Ministry of Finance and Regional Health Officers would be collaborating to ensure ...

March 4 is recognised as World Obesity Day, with the theme “Changing Systems: Healthier Lives.” This theme is a significant call to action for governments, healthcare institutions, and communities to confront one of our time’s most critical health challenges. Obesity has emerged as a global epidemic, and the Caribbean region is not exempt from its impact.

Despite positive developments, the region continues to face considerable obstacles in reversing trends that place millions at risk for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. To create a meaningful and lasting impact on public health, we must assess where we are today, celebrate our achievements, and strategically reinforce our systems.

The Caribbean’s Chronic Struggle with Obesity

Obesity has been rising at an alarming rate in the Caribbean, with many countries in the region experiencing a sharp increase in persons living with overweight and obesity across all age groups. According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), over 50% of adults in the region are categorized as  overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has more than doubled in the last three decades. As of 2022, 8.6% of children under five in Latin America and the Caribbean were overweight, surpassing the global average of 5.6%. This trend has been escalating, with the region experiencing a 1.2 percentage point increase between 2012 and 2022, compared to a 0.1 percentage point rise globally. The burden of obesity-related illnesses continues to strain our fragile healthcare systems, reducing productivity and increasing premature mortality.

This surge in obesity is attributed to several factors, including the widespread availability of ultra-processed products, decreased physical activity (PA), and socioeconomic disparities that limit access to healthy food options and safe recreational spaces. These elements contribute to obesogenic environments, particularly in urban areas where more than 81% of the population resides. Despite these challenges, there are some promising efforts.

Signs of Progress: The Good Things We’re Seeing

Several Caribbean nations, NGOs, and health agencies have launched initiatives to combat obesity and promote healthier lifestyles. Among these successes:

School Nutrition Policies

• In 2022, Barbados approved the National School Nutrition Policy (NSNP), representing a significant advancement in efforts to combat childhood obesity. The subsequent launch of this policy in 2023 demonstrates the island’s commitment to implementing structured nutritional guidelines within educational institutions. Similarly, Trinidad and Tobago (2017) implemented a ban on the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in primary and secondary schools. These frameworks enhance the nutritional quality of school meals by establishing dietary guidelines. Many other countries like Jamaica and Grenada are pursuing similar policies as advocates continue to seek a better Caribbean food environment. By integrating nutrition-focused policies within educational settings, these initiatives aim to instill lifelong healthy eating habits from an early age.

Increased Awareness Campaigns

• Governments and NGOs have intensified their public health campaigns to raise awareness about obesity and the vital benefits of active living. Leveraging social media, television, and community outreach, these initiatives are reshaping health perspectives across the region. Notably, Jamaica’s Jamaica Moves Campaign, launched in 2017, Dominica’s Fit for Life Campaign, which began in 2020 and the 2024 Caribbean Moves initiative stand as powerful testament to this commitment, effectively encouraging citizens to embrace regular PA, nutritious eating habits, and routine health screenings.

Legislation and Advertising

• The Caribbean has been slow to adopt clear food labelling and strict regulations on the marketing of unhealthy foods targeted at children. Nevertheless, some member states have taken significant steps in this area. Barbados, for instance, introduced a 10% excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in 2015, and increased it to 20% in 2022, to decrease consumption and encourage healthier choices. Following suit, Jamaica and Grenada established the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Restrictions in Schools in 2019 and 2020 respectively, which imposed limits on the sugar content of beverages available in educational institutions, promoting the adoption of healthier alternatives.

Community-Based Wellness Initiatives

• The rise of community-driven wellness programs has encouraged participation in healthier habits at the local and national levels. Saint Lucia’s National Physical Activity Program (2017) encourages exercise through community fitness sessions and the development of walking trails. The Bahamas’ Healthy Lifestyles Initiative (2018) enhances this effort by offering nutrition workshops, fitness classes, and community gardens to improve access to healthy food. Additionally, the Medical Benefits Scheme of Antigua and Barbuda implements community-based events that aim to raise awareness regarding NCDs while providing opportunities for increased levels of physical activity (PA). Ultimately seeking to promote informed health choices and enhance the overall well-being of communities.

Multilateral Agencies, NGOs, and Government Partnerships

• Obesity prevention in the Caribbean has progressed due to the collaboration of governments, NGOs, and international agencies. From the Healthy Caribbean Coalition’s Childhood Obesity Prevention Action Plan (2017-2021) which has been instrumental in engaging civil society to address this health issue and the CARPHA Six-Point Policy Package in 2019. To the Creative Play Initiative in Barbados (2024), developed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which promotes PA in schools. These and other programs such as the Reversing the Rise in Childhood Obesity Project (2017-2020) in Saint Lucia and Grenada have focused on reducing obesogenic environments through policy reforms and educational efforts, encouraging healthier choices in communities. While progress has been made, continued investment in preventative strategies remains crucial to reversing obesity trends in the region.

Strengthening Our Systems for Greater Impact

For the Caribbean to see a significant and lasting reduction in obesity rates, we must move beyond isolated programs and create sustainable frameworks that integrate health into every aspect of society. Here’s how we can strengthen our systems:

1. Enhancing Policy Implementation and Enforcement – Policies like school nutrition policy  must be enforced strictly, with harsh penalties for non-compliance, in addition to being adopted. Taxing sugar-sweetened drinks and offering subsidies for locally grown, fresh fruit are two bold measures that governments must adopt. This two-pronged strategy will enable communities to make better decisions and ensure that everyone has access to wholesome food.
2. Strengthening Primary Healthcare Systems – Prevention and management must become the cornerstones of our primary healthcare systems if we are to effectively tackle obesity. We need to increase access to bariatric services, fund aggressive early intervention programs, and make large investments in nutrition counselling.
3. Integrating Physical Activity into Daily Life – Urban planning must prioritize the development of safe and inviting green spaces, walking paths, and recreational facilities. We should mandate daily physical education in schools and implement workplace wellness policies that actively encourage movement throughout the day. By embedding PA into our daily routines, we foster a culture of health and vitality.
4. Expanding Food Security and Access to Healthy Choices – The Caribbean must champion sustainable agriculture to reduce our reliance on imported processed foods. Strengthening partnerships among farmers (including young agripreneurs), manufacturers, retailers, and governments is essential to guarantee that nutritious foods are not only available but also affordable for all citizens. This collaborative effort will lay the groundwork for a healthier future.
5. Education and Behaviour Change – To effectively transform cultural attitudes toward food and PA, we must weave health education into the very fabric of school curricula. Launching powerful media campaigns that normalize balanced lifestyles, coupled with leveraging digital platforms to enhance health literacy, will profoundly influence societal norms and inspire meaningful behaviour change. Together, we can shift mindsets and create a healthier, more vibrant Caribbean.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The Caribbean stands at a defining moment in the fight against obesity. If we choose to maintain the status quo, we are inevitably heading toward skyrocketing healthcare costs and a significant decline in our quality of life. However, by investing in the strengthening of our systems today, we can pave the way for a healthier, more productive region for generations to come. Achieving this vision demands unwavering collaboration between governments, private sector leaders, and community organizations, all united in the pursuit of prioritizing health in every aspect of our lives.

As we commemorate World Obesity Day 2025, let us issue a powerful call to action for our leaders, healthcare professionals, and citizens to embrace real, systemic change. A healthier Caribbean is within our grasp, but it will only become a reality if we boldly take the necessary steps to fortify our systems and champion the well-being of our people. Together, we can transform our future and create a thriving Caribbean region.

Offniel Lamont is a public health advocate with Healthy Caribbean Coalition/Youth (HCC/HCY) and a registered physiotherapist (MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise & Health).

The post Strengthening Systems for Healthier Lives: Tackling Obesity in the Caribbean appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

With fourteen (14) delegates, the Caribbean was well represented at the recent NCD Alliance Global Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda from 12-15 February 2025. The meeting was the largest yet, bringing together over 700 NCD advocates from across the globe united and moblising around the upcoming 4th UN High Level Meeting on NCDs to be held on 24 September, 2025 at the UNGA in NYC.

The HCC was represented by Vice President Debbie Chen (also CEO of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica); Board Member, Charity Dublin (also Vice President of the Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association and HCY member); Executive Director Maisha Hutton, Advocacy Officer and Lead of Healthy Caribbean Youth, Danielle Walwyn; Project Assistant and HCY Member Dorial Quintyne; HCY Member Simone Mathews; HCC Technical Advisor (and Co-Chair of the NCDA Supporters Group) Professor Alafia Samuels; HCC Technical Advisor Pierre Cooke Jnr; and member of the HCC PLWNCDs High-level Advisory Group (and member of NCDA OVOV) Diana Gittens.

HCC members from across the region were also out in full force including: Trinidad and Tobago NCD Alliance represented by Dr. Andrew Dhanoo (President Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago) and Jessica Johns (President of Trinidad and Tobago Association of Nutritionists and Dietitians); Maria O’Brien (Director, Mindwise TT and Voices of SIDS lead); Michele Baker representing the St. Kitts and Nevis NCD Alliance/ Lake Health and Wellbeing (also Policy Coordinator at the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA) and HCY member); and UNICEF youth activist Jamaica, Cavan Lewis.

The HCC/ Caribbean contingent coordinated, hosted, or participated in a number of sessions including: the Youth pre-meeting, the Our Views Our Voices pre-meeting, Caribbean Civil Society pre-meeting, plenary sessions, a Commercial Determinants of Health/Conflict of Interest session, Roche session launching the East Africa NCD Framework, World Diabetes Session session dedicated to spotlighting civil society contributions to NCD responses, World Obesity Federation session focused on mobilizing change to address obesity and many others.

HCY members participated in the preparation and dissemination of the Kigali Youth Declaration. All are invited to show their support for the NCDA Alliance’s Call to Lead and the Kigali Youth Declaration.

Enjoy our photo gallery below.

The post HCC at the NCD Alliance Global Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, 12-15 February 2025 appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Almost half of all cancer cases can be prevented by improving individual behaviours and implementing supporting policies.

This means there are specific actions we can take to help avoid cancer and there are health policies that can help create environments that make those individual choices
easier and more achievable!

Backed by research and written by experts specifically for the Latin American and Caribbean context, PAHO (The Pan American Health Organization) and IARC (The International Agency for Research on Cancer) have now released 17 individual actions and 17 policy recommendations in the LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN CODE AGAINST CANCER.

Read or download the document
MORE RESOURCES

More resources can be found here

The post Knowledge is Power appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently rejected a global petition calling on them to end their longstanding sponsorship deal with Big Soda giant, Coca-Cola.  The petition, launched during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games this past summer, as part of the global campaign “Kick Big Soda Out!”, garnered over 255,000 signatories from 95 countries (including the Caribbean) and the support of 93 partner organisations, including the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), Antigua and Barbuda Diabetes Association, EarthMedic and EarthNurse Foundation for Planetary Health, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network and Lake Health and Wellbeing St Kitts and Nevis.

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.

Many of these multinational soft drink companies make voluntary pledges not to market their products to children, but their actions tell a different story. They partner with elite sports that children watch, such as the Olympics and also sponsor local sporting activities.  They run sports-related campaigns geared toward young people and use the same “sports washing” practices to reach youth at fitness and health-focused activities. Evidence has shown that young people may be especially susceptible to this type of marketing, which can increase their consumption of sugary drinks and other ultra-processed products.

Caribbean Impact

Today the Caribbean has some of the highest rates of adult obesity in the world and alarmingly, one in three children in the region is living with overweight or obesity and rates are steadily increasing – contributing to NCDs like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of sport extends beyond the Olympic Games reaching deep into our local communities directly, and indirectly, through local subsidiaries. In resource-strained communities like the small developing states of the Caribbean, these players fill funding gaps in national sporting programs and events. The soda giant has sponsored local football clubs, national youth swimming, and athletics competitions in Barbados. Similarly, in The Bahamas, the local producer of Coca-Cola products, has a long history of sponsoring youth sport programs including swimming and football clubs.  Across the region every year during the school sports terms, budding young elementary and secondary school athletes compete in national stadiums against a stark and contrasting backdrop of colorful banners promoting a range of unhealthy products from sugary sports drinks to popular fast foods. All of these arrangements present clear opportunities to promote unhealthy products to young people who both participate in and watch these events – reaching young, impressionable athletes through their love of sport and building lifelong brand loyalty.

Other popular beverage and fast-food companies have also employed these sports-washing practices, sponsoring school and community-based youth sporting events. In Jamaica, a popular fast food restaurant, reaffirmed its support for the 2024 Jumpball Basketball Programme with a JA$4.5 million donation. A sugary drink company partnered with a local school to refurbish its gymnasium as part of a commitment to the school’s sporting program. What was called, “…an investment in shaping the lives of their students,” is a chance to directly market sugar-filled beverages to children inside school walls.

Support for Ending Big Soda Sponsorship

There is growing acknowledgement of the commercial determinants of health – the actions of the private sector that positively and negatively influence health – and the need for comprehensive regulation of industries such as tobacco, alcohol fossil fuels and ultra-processed foods. This includes marketing regulation, which prevents these actors from deploying various advertising, sponsorship and promotions tactics, including through sport, to expand brand loyalty and increase consumption of their products.

Globally, opposition to Big Soda’s involvement in sport is growing.  The “Kick Big Soda Out of Sport” highlighted sugary drinks’ impact on health and the environment. Through informing a global audience about Big Soda’s marketing tactics, the campaign aimed to end Big Soda’s sponsorship of sport. In addition to the quarter of a million signatories of support and almost 100 organisational supporters, The Lancet, one of the most powerful voices in global health, affirmed its support for the campaign stating, “…it [IOC] should drop its shortsighted and hypocritical partnerships with companies that enable great harm to health and wellbeing.” The HCC and many of our members joined the movement acknowledging that if action was not taken at the global level to manage the influence of conglomerates like Big Soda, it would further frustrate regional control and regulatory efforts.

Calling on the Governments to Regulate

The IOC’s rejection has only strengthened the resolve of the petition signatories, and follow up letters are being sent to the IOC underscoring that the Coca-Cola partnership ‘undermines [the IOCs] credibility and its mission to promote healthier lives through sport’ and reminding the IOC that ‘The Olympics should prioritize health, sustainability and integrity — not corporate interests.’

The HCC will continue to support the campaign globally and locally. The premise of the campaign aligns with regional health advocates’ call on CARICOM Governments for evidence-informed regulations of commercial actors and their unhealthy products, such as: front of package octagonal warning labelling on all pre-packaged foods; national school nutrition policies which restrict the availability and marketing (including sponsorship) of unhealthy products; implementation of framework convention on tobacco control (FCTC) and the WHO SAFER Technical package for alcohol control; and for clear guidelines to manage conflicts of interest and foster transparency in health promotion efforts and policymaking spaces.

The “Kick Big Soda Out” movement was an important catalyst for change. It’s time for innovative, health-promoting companies without conflicts of interest to step in and support healthier communities – displacing Big Soda and other health-harming companies. Tobacco, alcohol, fossil fuels and ultra-processed products like Big Soda have no place in sport.

The post “Sports Washed” Away: The Power of Big Soda, from the Olympics to Caribbean appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.