The World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization and the Government of Barbados recently co-hosted a ‘SIDS High-level Technical Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health’ in recognition of the high burden of NCDs and the impact of climate and COVID-19 on health and economies in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The two-day Small Island Developing States (SIDS) High-Level Technical Meeting on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health recently concluded at the Hilton Barbados Resort on January 18, 2023. Over 120 technocrats and policymakers from SIDS countries attended the meeting to advance domestic action on NCDs and mental health in SIDS territories.

Suggestions coming out of the Technical meeting will be put forward at the Ministerial Conference on NCDs and Mental Health which will also be held in Barbados in June this year.

HCC was present and hosted side events on childhood obesity, breakout sessions on commercial determinants of health, and addressing conflicts of interest along with a civil society briefing co-hosted with the NCD Alliance.

Here is are some pictorial highlights of the 2 day meeting.

The opening plenary

HCC & NCD Alliance civil society briefing meeting

Breakout sessions on commercial determinants of health, and addressing conflicts of interest

HCC side event on childhood obesity

NCD child side event, youth and NCDs

Day 2 highlights

The post SIDS High-level Technical Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, 17-18 January 2023 appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday announced that Guyana’s health care professionals would soon be able conduct diagnosis remotely. He also told the National Assembly that 1,000 nurses would be trained this year and 1,000 Guyanese would receive hearing aids free of cost on top of the 500 that were provided with those devices ...

"It's obviously disappointing," Anthony Fauci, MD, told MSNBC, noting that other areas of HIV treatment research are promising. "I don't think that people should give up on the field of the HIV vaccine." WebMD Health News

Pharmaceutical companies AbbVie and Eli Lilly have withdrawn from Britain's voluntary medicines pricing agreement, an industry body said on Monday. Reuters Health Information

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) has led the development of this discussion paper in collaboration with a group of like-minded civil society representatives from other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) regions, and with the support of the NCD Alliance (NCDA), a global network of CSOs also dedicated to NCD prevention and control worldwide.

This discussion paper was developed as a contribution to the High-Level Technical Meeting and Ministerial Conference on NCDs and Mental Health in SIDS, which will be convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Barbados, in January and June 2023 respectively.

This discussion paper outlines the unique characteristics of SIDS and the challenges they face, particularly related to their size, geography, and small populations; constraints for achieving economies of scale due to their small domestic markets, limited resources, and undiversified economies; and threats from the climate crisis and food and nutrition insecurity. These challenges, among others, have been aggravated by the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has put at further risk SIDS’ efforts to mount efficient and effective responses to their disproportionate burden of NCDs, using approaches that are equity- and rights-based, multisector, and multistakeholder.

Civil society is a critical stakeholder, along with government and the private sector free from conflicts of interest, in the response to the major NCDs—heart disease and stroke, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental, neurological, and substance abuse disorders (MNSDs). CSOs advocate for and contribute to interventions that address NCDs and their risk factors—particularly poor diets, tobacco use, alcohol use, physical inactivity, and air pollution—as well as the determinants of health—social, economic, environmental, commercial, political, legal, and other non-medical factors that strongly influence health outcomes. In producing this discussion paper, HCC, NCDA, and SIDS civil society representatives analysed the NCD situation in SIDS across various regions, built on global and regional frameworks for the reduction of NCDs and their underlying causes, and identified priorities, recommendations, and key asks for inclusion in the report of the January 2023 High-Level Technical Meeting and the outcome document of the June 2023 Ministerial Conference on NCDs and Mental Health in SIDS.

Read or download the discussion paper.

Authors welcome comments on this discussion paper at hcc@healthycaribbean.org until 28 February 2023.

The post Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health in Small Island Developing States – A Discussion Paper by Civil Society appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The Caribbean region is in the middle of the influenza season, typically from November to March.

The Ministry of Health in St Kitts has detailed ways for the people to address the issues around respiratory diseases. The Minister of Health, Dr Terrance Drew, has taken to his social media account to share ways in which people can limit the transmission of these infections.

The Ministry of Health in St Kitts and Nevis has shared the information available to them regarding the infections. The Ministry has stated that Influenza (flu) is an acute and very contagious respiratory tract infection that can be caused by influenza type A (H3N2) and type B viruses.

Currently, the country is facing growing concerns over emerging Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and the new strain of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health update details that they are monitoring the new omicron subvariant of Covid-19 that is emerging in some areas of the North-Eastern USA. The sources reveal that this is the most transmittable variant of the disease. However, the infection is much less severe in the variant. Meanwhile, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus which causes cold and cough-like symptoms.

The Ministry of Health further stated that RSV Infection is not severe and individuals can recover from it within a week; however, children younger than four and older are still vulnerable.

The Ministry of Health has laid out some guidelines to combat the situation. The first is using masks for isolated individuals who have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, RSV or Influenza. If the individuals are tested positive, they are required to remain in isolation.

Covers are also mandatory if visiting the hospital or healthcare centres. The Ministry of Health advises people to see the doctor regularly in case they develop flu-like symptoms or suffer from a persistent cold.

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY) are pleased to present ‘Our Health, Our Right – A Rights-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Agenda for the Caribbean’, a tool for young people seeking to advocate for urgent government action on the epidemic of childhood overweight and obesity in the Caribbean using a rights-based lens.

The Caribbean has some of the highest rates of childhood obesity in the world. Unlike other NCDs that are more common in adulthood, more children and young people are living with overweight and obesity and experiencing the associated physical and mental healthcomplications. Further, overweight and obesity in childhood often tracks into adulthood, increasing the risk of developing NCDs later in life.

Given the implications of childhood obesity for their generation, it is important that young people are equipped with the tools and information needed to advocate for healthier environments and hold Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to their commitments to protect the best interest of their citizens, especially those persons and groups in conditions of vulnerability, including children.

Today young people worldwide are stepping up to the plate to lead the charge against global challenges that threaten their future. We see them in the fight for climate resilience, the calls for peace and most recently, in the fight against NCDs. This Rights-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Agenda is a companion tool to help young people develop advocacy skills in childhood obesity prevention. It incorporates legal principles of international law and uses the basis of fundamental human rights as a foundation for health advocacy. At each step of the manual, young people are provided with policy suggestions geared towards preventing, treating, and managing childhood obesity. By following it, young people can enhance their advocacy in this space and create a better future for themselves and their peers.

Pierre Cooke Jr, HCC Technical Advisor and Primary author of ‘Our Health, Our Right – A Rights-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Agenda for the Caribbean’

‘Our Health, Our Right – A Rights-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Agenda for the Caribbean’ provides: an overview of rights-based advocacy, relevant health rights, a list of youth-informed asks to guide the prevention, treatment care and support of children living with overweight and obesity, and guidance on how policymakers can better engage and support youth who live with this condition and are advocating for this cause. The tool also provides a related case study and list of advocacy resources.

The Agenda builds on the HCC Civil Society Action Plan 2017-2021: Preventing Childhood Obesity in the Caribbean (CSAP) which provides HCC member civil society organizations (CSOs) with a framework for CSO-led action in support of national and regional responses to combat childhood obesity as well as HCCs Transformative New NCD Agenda (TNA-NCDs) which proposes a fresh approach to NCD reduction and treatment underpinned by principles of equity and human rights and driven by social activism by critical groups including young people.

The Agenda also compliments an existing youth resource – ‘Youth Voices in Health Advocacy Spaces: A Guide for You(th) in the Childhood Obesity Space’ that was co-developed by The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and World Obesity Federation (WOF) and launched in 2021. This resource is for young people who are ready (or have already started) to explore the world of advocacy, especially those who are interested in advocating for childhood obesity prevention and environments that prioritise and protect children’s health. The toolkit is also valuable for youth allies who are dedicated to supporting youth in their advocacy work.

View and download ‘Our Health, Our Right – A Rights-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Agenda for the Caribbean’ here.

The post Our Health, Our Right – A Rights-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Agenda for the Caribbean appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Persons travelling to Guyana directly or in-transit from China, Hong Kong and Macau must now present a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from the viral disease,  Guyana’s COVID-19 Task Force announced on Thursday. Th new requirement takes effect from January 8, 2023. The Guyana government said that would also apply to persons traveling ...

Health facilities in Guyana’s interior regions are to be upgraded over the next three years to the value of GY$125 billion, President Irfaan Ali announced during Monday’s commissioning of the upgraded Mabaruma Smart Hospital. He said that upgrades would give the “best possible working conditions” and provide the areas, which include Lethem, Kato, Mahdia, Kamarang, ...

On Saturday December 10th 2022, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY), in partnership with the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN), the Jamaica Health Advocates Youth Arm (JHAYA), the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) and The University of Technology Association of Nutrition and Dietetics Students (UTANDS) held the second CARIBBEAN YOUTH VOICES IN HEALTH ADVOCACY SPACES: Healthy Food Policy virtual workshop. Participants tuned in from Barbados, The Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago!

During the first session, participants discussed the obesity and NCD challenges facing the Caribbean region, the importance of healthy food policy in addressing these challenges and the value of rights-based advocacy.

The second session featured a panel discussion moderated by Simeca Alexander, Advocacy Officer (GHAP), Heart Foundation of Jamaica. The panelists (Maisha Hutton, Executive Director, HCC, Francine Charles, Programme Manager, HSFB; Shereika Mills, Advocacy and Policy Coordinator, JYAN; Rosanna Pike, Health Education Officer, Heart Foundation of Jamaica and Vonetta Nurse, Nutrition Officer, UNICEF Jamaica) shared their insights on strategically advocating along the policy process.

The final session focused on using the SMART principle to guide the development of advocacy action plans. Participants joined different breakout rooms to discuss experiences in advocating for different healthy food policies in the Caribbean.  Shannique Bowden and Shereika (JYAN) led the School Nutrition Policy breakout room and shared their experience participating in the consultation process in Jamaica; Danielle, Simeca and Rosanna shared their organisations’ experiences in advocating for Front of Package Nutrition Warning Labelling, and Abi Begho (Director of Program Management, Lake Health and Wellbeing) assisted by Rozette Scotland (HCY), discussed Lake Health and Wellbeing’s You’re Sweet Enough campaign in support of Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Participants were also tasked with brainstorming and developing their own SMART Advocacy plans to execute advocacy in their own territory!

Goal

To build capacity and momentum among Caribbean youth to advocate for the implementation of Healthy Food Policies

Objectives

1. To revisit content covered during workshop #1 held in September/October
2. To build capacity of youth advocates to design SMART advocacy actions to execute locally and regionally in support of healthy food policies/healthy food environments
3. To co-create workshop 3 agenda to be held in 2023

Outcomes

1. Increased awareness among Caribbean youth of the importance of rights-based advocacy and healthy food policies
2. To build a better understanding of SMART objectives and activities to prepare participants to design advocacy action plans (during workshop 3) which will focus on healthy food policies to be executed locally and regionally
3. A draft agenda, co-designed by youth across the region, to guide the development of workshop #3 for a select group of youth organisations

Welcome

Danielle Walwyn, Advocacy Officer and Coordinator of Healthy Caribbean Youth, Healthy Caribbean Coalition

CIRCLING Back – Recap of Workshop #1

Discussion: Let’s talk about Policy

Moderator: Simeca Alexander, Advocacy Officer, Heart Foundation of Jamaica

Representative(s) from:

• Heart Foundation of Jamaica
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados
• Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network
• Healthy Caribbean Coalition

SMART WHAT? SMART Overview + How to create a SMART Advocacy Plan

Representative(s) from:

• Lake Health and Wellbeing
• Heart Foundation of Jamaica
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados
• Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network
• Healthy Caribbean Coalition

-->

Co-Creation of Workshop 3 Agenda & Wrap Up

Danielle Walwyn, Advocacy Officer and Coordinator of Healthy Caribbean Youth, Healthy Caribbean Coalition

Workshop #1
The first installment of the workshop series was held on Saturday September 24th and October 1st from 11:00AM – 2:00PM AST. The workshop introduced the issue of childhood obesity and NCDs in the Caribbean and the power of rights-based advocacy and healthy food policies in improving health outcomes. Attendees also learned about the importance of youth voices in health advocacy.

Workshop #2 – Let’s Reconnect
The second installment of the workshop series will be held on Saturday December 10th from 10:00AM – 12:00PM JA/11:00AM – 1:00PM AST. The focus of this 2 hour workshop will be to reconnect with attendees, recap workshop 1, revisit the concept of SMART Activities and invite attendees to brainstorm and co-create workshop 3 agenda.

Caribbean Youth Voices in Health Advocacy Spaces workshop series aims to bring awareness to the importance of healthy food environments and healthy food policies in building a healthier Caribbean among Caribbean youth. It also aims to strengthen the coalition of youth advocates from across the region who are demanding change to transform food environments in their local territory.

The post Caribbean Youth Voices in Health Advocacy Spaces Healthy Food Policy Virtual Workshop Part 2 appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.