WHAT DOES A FOOD POLICY HAVE TO DO TO EARN THE TITLE ‘HEALTHY’ AROUND HERE?

Take a dive into some answers to that question!

WHY IS ‘PEOPLE OVER PROFIT’ A STATEMENT WE NEED TO GET BEHIND?

It seems obvious, right? We should always prioritise people over profit!

But in practice, our policymaking doesn’t seem to always live up to that principle, and that lapse is harming us all. Although it’s easy to spout that, “eating healthy is an individual’s responsibility”, how easy is it to make healthy choices in environments designed to push the unhealthy ones?

Healthy Food Policy makes a difference to our food environments; so just how crucial is it to the health of Caribbean people?

HOW CAN YOU MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?

EVERYONE!

Share these campaign materials with your network so they understand these issues better.

GOVERNMENTS AND POLICYMAKERS!

You have a vital role to play.

• Establish clear guidelines— with transparent rules for public-private engagement and partnerships— to manage conflicts of interest and foster transparency.
• Invest in the implementation and enforcement of policies that are informed by sound, scientific evidence that is free from industry influence and any conflict of interest. Policies like
  • Mandatory front-of-package nutrition warning labels (FOPWL);
  • School environment regulations like regulating the sale and marketing of ultra-processed foods in and around schools;
  • Marketing restrictions, especially to children and adolescents; and
  • Fiscal policies such as a sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax

These policies have been endorsed by CARICOM Heads of Government and recommended by WHO/PAHO, CARPHA, UNICEF, HCC, Ministries of Health and other key stakeholders. They’ve also been successfully implemented in several countries trying to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

FOOD INDUSTRY HEADS!

Respect the independence of policymaking processes.

• Focus your efforts on ensuring more products follow national nutrition guidelines (or the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model);
• Quit marketing unhealthy food and drink products to children; and
• Adopt front-of-package warning labels that are backed by sound, international and regional scientific evidence.

CAMPAIGN AT A GLANCE

Launch Date: Monday | 1.MAY.2023

Locale: Regional/Caribbean

Type: Digital Media Campaign

Purpose:

• To advocate, and build support for healthy, evidence-informed food policies.
• To bring awareness to the potential of policy to improve lives through healthier food environments and a reduction in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
• To highlight the impediments of industry interference and conflict of interest to policy development.

OUR PARTNERS

OTHER CAMPAIGNS

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On Thursday 27th April, 2023 almost 200 people took part in our webinar: Looking Back to Move Forward – Caribbean Youth Mental Health, reflecting on the ongoing progress and effects that the CYMHCTA has inspired in our Caribbean context and even internationally.

The objectives of the ‘Looking Back to Move Forward – Caribbean Youth Mental Health’ webinar were to:

1. To review the MHCTA objectives and their fulfillment
2. To highlight the primary and secondary effects of the MHCTA campaign
3. To highlight current and future regional efforts to better support youth mental health

Moderators

Neorgia Grant
HCY Member

Stephanie Whiteman
HCY Member and Project Lead MHCTA

Panelists

Gabrielle Edwards
HCY Member and MHCTA Lead in The Bahamas

Sahar Vasquez
HCY Member and MHCTA Lead in Belize

David Johnson
MHCTA Subcommittee Member and President and Founder, LUI OR

Simone Bishop-Matthews
HCY Member and MHCTA Lead in Trinidad and Tobago

Shannique Bowden
MHCTA Lead in Jamaica and Executive Director, JYAN

Dr. Karen Sealey
Chair TTNCDA, HCC Board Director and CSO Support to MHCTA team in Trinidad and Tobago

Ms. Jhanille Brooks
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Consultant, UNICEF Jamaica

Maria Boyce-Taylor
Associate Director Client and Employee Engagement CIBC First Caribbean

Laura Lewis-Watts
Project Lead NCD Child Secretariat, NCD Child

Dr. Claudina Cayetano
Mental Health Regional Advisor, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, PAHO

Dr. Brian MacLachlan
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychiatric Hospital, Barbados

Find out more about the Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action

Background

Mental health has been recognised as an integral element of overall health and as a basic and fundamental right,[1] however its limited prioritization and promotion in national health agendas or policies through the necessary financial and human resources, sends a contradictory message. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to expose the inequities – tolerated by our societies until now, not only in terms of our health but the socioeconomic areas linked to it.[2] Amidst the onset of this global pandemic, the mental health and well-being of groups such as health and frontline workers, women, young people, people living with pre-existing mental health conditions, racial and ethnic minorities, and people living in conditions of vulnerability, were particularly impacted.[2]

In light of this, youth from the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC)’s youth arm – Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY) and across the Caribbean region, embarked on a journey to advocate for and encourage more dialogue and action by our regional policymakers and the public, around the mental health and well-being of our children and youth.

On October 10th 2022, World Mental Health Day, the HCY, with support from youth advocates and civil society organizations across the region, launched the Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action (CYMHCTA). It emphasized a renewed focus on youth mental health and wellbeing, by tailoring and transforming mental health systems in the Caribbean. Sparked by the concerns and experiences shared from youth and other key voices during two webinars held by the HCC, the CYMHCTA was conceptualised. To ensure adequate regional representation, stakeholders were consulted across ten (10) countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago. This document could not be possible without the valuable input and feedback from over 50 consultations held with various stakeholders, including youth advocates, youth organisations, national civil society organisations, private sector, secondary school students, primary and secondary school teachers and underrepresented groups such as persons living with non-communicable diseases (PLWNCDs), and representatives from Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Under the slogan of “There’s no health without mental health”, the CYMHCTA took the region by storm. It garnered regional support from government officials, youth organizations, UNICEF Jamaica and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), as well as international organisations such as the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). Youth from countries such as Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, spearheaded the movement in their respective countries and continue to advocate for the prioritization of the four (4) key calls highlighted in the CYMHCTA:

• Leadership-to prioritize integration of mental health into existing health policies and emergency plans and ensure youth are meaningfully engaged.
• Research-to inform mental health programming and policies.
• Regulations-to protect children and youth from health-harming products, harassment, stigma and discrimination.
• Services-to support the mental health and well-being of children and youth.

Since its launch, the CYMHCTA has amplified the voices of youth in the development of youth-focused mental health policies and plans. HCY members and other youth advocates, with support from in-country civil society organisations, continue to bolster, and foster, relationships with key policymakers. Consequently, being invited to high-level meetings with various national ministry representatives and other key stakeholders and; in the planning and development of youth-centered mental health programs and policies in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Register for the Looking Back to Move Forward – Caribbean Youth Mental Health webinar.

[1] “Policy for Improving Mental Health – PAHO/WHO.” 28 Feb. 2023, https://www.paho.org/en/documents/policy-improving-mental-health.

[2] “The forgotten victims of the pandemic: children and adolescents.” 13 Dec. 2021, https://www.cepal.org/en/insights/forgotten-victims-pandemic-children-and-adolescents.

The post Looking back to move forward – Caribbean Youth Mental Health appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The Guyana government has banned the use of chemicals to clean drainage calls across the country, after concerns were raised by residents of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara. After the concern was raised raised by a resident during a ministerial outreach led by Prime Minister Mark Phillips, the Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha made government’s position ...

A panel discussion at the annual Abarca Forward conference in Puerto Rico last month sought to identify some of the innovative financial approaches that can be applied to managing the high price of novel therapies. Conversations also addressed what payers need for these financing models to be sustainable.

The University of Guyana (UG), now in its 60th year, is set to host its 2nd Diaspora  Conference at the Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown, Guyana, during the period  May 8-10, 2023 under the theme “Calling 592: Honouring, Researching, Reigniting  Diaspora.” The Diaspora Conference is one of several signature events being hosted by the  University this ...

The Canadian government on Tuesday inked a CDN$2.5 million agreement with the non-governmental organisation, Giving Health to Kids, to improve maternal, newborn and child health in Guyana’s hinterland after research showed some worrisome findings. President of Giving Health to Kids, Associate Clinical Professor at Mc Master University, Dr Narendra Singh said the five-year project has ...

THE HONOURABLE KAY MCCONNEY
MINISTER OF EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, BARBADOS

And
SENATOR DR. THE MOST HONOURABLE JEROME WALCOTT
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS BARBADOS

And
DR. THE HONOURABLE SONIA BROWNE
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS BARBADOS

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
BARBADOS NATIONAL SCHOOL NUTRITION POLICY

March 20th, 2023

Dear The Honourable Kay McConney, Senator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, and Dr. The Honourable Sonia Browne,

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) extends congratulations to the Government of Barbados and the Ministries of Health and Education on the successful launch of the Barbados National School Nutrition Policy in February 2023 and the banning of the sale of beverages containing added sugars, artificial sweeteners or additives in schools beginning in the third term in April 2023. This significant policy action taken by the Government of Barbados delivers on national and regional commitments to tackle childhood overweight and obesity through a package of evidence-based policy measures including banning the sale and marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages in and around school settings. The Barbados National School Nutrition Policy, originally approved by Cabinet in May 2022, realises a commitment made by Honourable Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, at the 39th Summit of CARICOM Heads of Government and State in 2018 when Heads endorsed a number of priorities for the 3rd UN High Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) including: “implementing policies geared to preventing childhood obesity, including health-promoting school environments”.

The HCC, both local and regional members, strongly support this policy measure which complements the recently increased sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) tax at 20% – as part of a wider strategy to combat the urgent health, economic and economic challenges posed by childhood and adult obesity and NCDs in Barbados.

As one of a growing number of countries regionally and globally prioritising NCD prevention through the implementation of regulations which meaningfully change food environments by reducing affordability and availability of ultra-processed foods high in sugars, salts and fats, Barbados is demonstrating tremendous leadership. The Caribbean has the highest NCD mortality rate in the Americas and 40% of these deaths occur prematurely before the age of 70 years affecting our most productive with dire socioeconomic consequences in a time when Caribbean populations are aging and placing significant strain on already vulnerable economies. Obesity is a major underlying factor which contributes to the development of NCDs, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Two-thirds of Barbadians are either living with overweight or obesity and the corresponding figure for Barbadian children is one-third[i] placing these children on a trajectory for health complications in childhood and adolescence and increased risk of NCDs in adulthood.

Unfortunately, these figures show no sign of decline. Per the 2023 edition of the World Obesity Atlas[ii], Barbados is expected to see a 2.6% annual increase in adult obesity and a 4.7% increase in childhood obesity over the period 2020-2035. Overweight and obesity have a profound economic impact through loss of productivity, premature death and health care expenditure. By 2035, this is expected to cost Barbados US $305 million. It is imperative that bold policy action is taken immediately to reverse these alarming trends.

The 20% tax on SSBs and the National School Nutrition Policy are a step in the right direction. At least 73.3% of students aged 13-15 consume at least one carbonated soft drink per day, while 70.9% are not achieving WHO recommended levels of physical activity[iii]. As unhealthy diet and physical activity are major contributors to overweight and obesity, and related NCDs, we commend the National School Nutrition Policy for addressing both of these risk factors. Barbadians – adults and children – have a right to live, grow, work and thrive in environments which support healthy behaviours rather than encouraging unhealthy habits. Since 2016, Barbados has supported three key policy actions recommended by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO and the HCC – 1. Taxation of unhealthy foods while subsidising healthy options; 2. Improving the food (regulating the sale and marketing of ultra-processed foods) and physical activity environments in schools to specifically tackle childhood obesity; and 3. Maintaining support for a regional standard for the labelling of prepackaged foods which includes front of package ‘high-in’ warning labels to empower consumers to identify unhealthy foods and purchase healthier unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Such policy measures, when implemented effectively, create strong regulatory environments which support positive dietary behaviours, help drive product reformulation, and encourage manufacturers and retailers to increase the availability of affordable, healthier food and beverage options. Additionally, Barbados is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), thereby underscoring the important role of government to ensure that those most vulnerable in the population – our children – are protected from continuous exposure to harmful environments that promote consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Finally, HCC commends Barbados’ continued commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society NCD response. The National School Nutrition Policy is a product of the partnership between two Ministries with acknowledged ongoing strong support from civil society through the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados and the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition.

We applaud the bold and visionary leadership of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministries of Health, Education and local civil society organisations and we pledge our continued support as Barbados implements its National School Nutrition Policy and related policies over the coming months and years.

The Board of Directors, staff and volunteers of the HCC, Technical Advisors and the 100+ HCC CSO Members

View/download the open letter here.

[i] https://data.worldobesity.org/country/barbados-17/report-card.pdf

[ii] https://www.worldobesityday.org/assets/downloads/World_Obesity_Atlas_2023_Report.pdf

[iii] https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/barbados/gshs/2011_barbados_gshs_fs.pdf?sfvrsn=652e38c1_5&download=true

The post Congratulations on the Implementation of Barbados National School Nutrition Policy appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

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WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH?

Half of all mental health disorders can be diagnosed by just age 14.

16 million adolescents aged 10-19 live with a mental disorder in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Anxiety Disorder is the second leading cause of disability among 10-14-year-olds.

READ THE CALL TO ACTION

COUNTRY ACTIVITIES

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READ THE PLEDGE

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The post appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH?

• Half of all mental health disorders can be diagnosed by just age 14.
• 16 million adolescents aged 10-19 live with a mental disorder in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Anxiety Disorder is the second leading cause of disability among 10-14-year-olds.

Half of all mental health disorders can be diagnosed by just age 14.
16 million adolescents aged 10-19 live with a mental disorder in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Anxiety Disorder is the second leading cause of disability among 10-14-year-olds.

On World Mental Health Day 2022, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC)’s youth arm – Healthy Caribbean Youth – with support from regional youth organisations and allies, have developed the Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action, under the slogan, “There is no health without mental Health”, to mobilise regional policymakers into prioritising the mental health and well-being of this key demographic. The Call to Action represents a culmination of months of collaborative effort among regional youth and youth organisations.

This effort aligns with this year’s call from the World Health Organization  to “make health and well-being for all a global priority”, by demanding urgent action from policymakers across the Caribbean to transform the region’s mental health systems and ultimately protect the mental health wellbeing of children and youth.

Read the Call to Action

You can take part too!

Join us in our commitment to prioritise, destigmatize and normalise mental health among our Caribbean children and young people.

By signing onto our Caribbean Youth Mental Health Pledge, you are vowing to work towards emphasising the Call to Action, advocating for the actions to be implemented by your policy makers and strive towards improving the mental health of our Caribbean Youth. In addition, by signing this pledge, you are affirming your personal vested interest in the Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action and you are declaring that the positions, views and agreements are your own volition.

Please read the Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action and Caribbean Youth Mental Health Pledge before signing the form below.

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Regional Partners’ Quotes for the Caribbean Youth MHCTA

The future of children and adolescents in Jamaica is at stake as the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the impact of multiple pre-existing stressors, such as violence and their mental health. Left unaddressed, this can have a lifelong and debilitating effect on each child and young person. The wider collective result will retard the development of the entire country. We must act now to ensure that a well-resourced, whole-of-government plan for improving the mental well-being of our young is implemented. Improving access to quality mental health services will not only improve the lives of children and adolescents, it will also yield a positive return on public investment and by extension grow our human capital and the economy.
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica

Quotes From Youth Organizations Consulted for the Caribbean Youth MHCTA

Mental health, just like physical health, is a fundamental right of every human being. We can ill afford to deny young people their right to a healthy life, and continue in our current vein, an attitude and approach to mental health rooted in silence, apathy, avoidance, complacency and stigma. Not when 1 in 7 young people in the 10-19 age group are experiencing a mental illness. Not when mental disorders remain a leading cause of illness and disability in young people. And, not when suicide is the 4th leading cause of death amongst young people aged 15-24. We have to do something! We have to intervene! We have to do right by our youth. And, that means calling for and taking decisive action to prevent, detect, manage and reduce the risk factors for the mental health challenges facing Caribbean youth! That, fundamentally, is what this Call to Action is about
Mr. David Johnson, President and Founder of Let’s Unpack It (Barbados)

I am delighted to support this call to action on mental health. As a psychotherapist, I am aware of the enormous stress being experienced by young people and the consequences on their mental health. Gender-based violence, bullying, substance abuse and undiagnosed serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and depression are all causes for concern. I look forward to hearing the passionate voices of young people as they raise awareness of these issues across the region
Mrs. Tina Alexander, Executive Director of Lifeline Ministries (Dominica)

We have come to live in a world that is much different from what our parents and grandparents knew. With growing social and economic inequalities, violence, conflicts, pandemics and for youth,social and digital media have become an inescapable part of our lives; mental health is bound to be at risk. I urge you to digitally detox, take a break and recharge, reset! We all have minds that need to be cared for, some Tropical remedy is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed
Conversation
Ms. Ashma McDougall, President of the National Youth Council of Dominica

Supporting Activities

Working With the First Ladies

Her Excellency Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, the First Lady of The BahamasPhoto: The Tribune

We are pleased to share that Her Excellency Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, the First Lady of The Bahamas, has pledged her commitment to protecting the mental health of children and young people in the Caribbean. Thank you First Lady Davis!

Her Excellency Mrs. Rossana Briceño, the First Lady of BelizePhoto: BBN

On October 21st 2022, Sahar Vasquez, HCY Member in Belize and Co-founder of Mind Health Connect Belize, met with the First Lady of Belize, Her Excellence Rossana Briceno to discuss the Mental Health Call to Action. Thank you to the First Lady for showing her commitment to mental health!

HCY in Bahamas Meet With Policymakers To Discuss the Call to Action

Pictured left to right : Vernon Davis, Gabrielle Edwards, First Lady Davis, Dr. Forbes, Wellecia Munnings

On October 4th 2022, Gabrielle Edwards, 5th year Medical Student and Healthy Caribbean Youth member met with Mrs Ann Marie Davis, First Lady of The Bahamas to discuss the Mental Health Call to Action. She was joined by 4th year medical students,  Vernon Davis & Wellecia Munnings and senior psychiatric resident, Dr. Petra Forbes.

Social Media Graphics

Healthy Caribbean Youth Host a Series of Instagram Lives To Promote the Call to Action

As part of pre-launch activities, Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY) hosted two Instagram Lives on the Healthy Caribbean Coalition’s Instagram page, on the Saturday 1st and 8th October, 2022. During Day 1, youth mental health advocate, Trey Cumberbatch and Co-directors of Dance4Life Barbados, Shakira Emtage-Cave and Leila Raphael, gave their insight into the mental health of children and young people in the Caribbean and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of these groups. HCY member, Stephanie Whiteman (session moderator), provided an overview of the Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action (CYMHCTA) and set the scene leading into day 2’s session, where we dive into the significance and potential impact of the calls within the Caribbean context.

During Day 2, HCY member, Simone Bishop-Matthews (session moderator), provided a recap of the four overarching calls. Counselling Psychologist and HCY member, Alaina Gomes, President and Founder of Let’s Unpack It, David Johnson and Youth Technical Advisor at the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and HCY member, Pierre Cooke Jr., gave their take on the potential impact on communities and the Caribbean region if this CYMHCTA is implemented, from a mental health professional’s and a youth mental health organization’s perspective.

Re-watch Day 1 (click/tap to play)
Re-watch Day 2 (click/tap to play)

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