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

The post World Aids Day 2022 address by Minister for Health, Dr. Irving McIntyre appeared first on Dominica News Online.

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

Click/tap image to view full size

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.

The post The Fate of Front of Packaging Warning Labelling in CARICOM appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Make It Make Sense  Campaign at a Glance

On Monday October 17th 2022, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) and the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) re-launched “Make It Make Sense” — a regional, digital media campaign to build support for healthy food and nutrition  policies by highlighting conflicts of interest and interference around policy development.

The campaign was originally launched on Thursday May 12, 2022 and supports HCC’s ongoing advocacy efforts around evidence-based food and nutrition policies to promote healthier food environments and reduce obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes — among Caribbean people.

We encourage you to share our webpage with your networks

Our Partners

Why this Campaign?

Make It Make Sense calls on our governments to make public policy decisions:

• Free from the influence of entities with vested interests, and;
• Based on the best available scientific evidence, free from conflicts of interest.

Substantial evidence supports the effectiveness (including Caribbean evidence) of policies like front-of-package warning labelling (FOPWL), regulation of the sale and marketing of ultra-processed foods and beverages in school settings and fiscal policies such as taxation of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs), to regulate ultra-processed food products and improve our food environments. However, weak management of conflict of interests and interference is one of the major barriers to the adoption and implementation of evidence-based food policies in the Caribbean.

To protect our policymaking processes and implement effective policies and regulations, we must acknowledge and address the constant, systematic, and sophisticated interference tactics that delay, dilute or altogether derail healthy food policy development. This campaign is a key step in raising awareness about conflict of interest and industry interference in public policy and building public and policymaker support for protecting public policy from vested interests.

Campaign Resources

Videos

Social Media Cards

Please contact us to gain access to the hi-res, correctly sized images for sharing across all of the social media networks.

The post Make it Make Sense Campaign appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

ographic. 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.

Sign the Call to Action

CountryAnguilla

Antigua and Barbuda

Aruba

The Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Bermuda

Cayman Islands

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Haiti

International

Jamaica

Martinique

Montserrat

Netherlands Antilles

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Maarten

Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

Suriname

Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

Virgin Islands, British

Virgin Islands, U.S.

 
Sign Now

Total Signatures

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Signature Map

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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)

The post Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Wednesday October 5th, 2022 the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and it’s partners hosted a webinar entitled  #ActOnFacts – The Food In Our Schools Matter.

In this webinar distinguished panellists and speakers discuss lessons learned around the implementation of healthy school policies across the Caribbean, and share a new resource to assist CARICOM countries in harmonising healthy school policy regulation.

#ActOnFacts – The Food In Our Schools Matter, is a regional campaign that aims to encourage public and policymaker support for policies that regulate the sale and marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks in and around schools, while increasing the availability of nutritious foods, healthier snacks and drinking water.

Panellists and Speakers

Sir Trevor Hassell
President, Healthy Caribbean Coalition

Pieter Bult
UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean Area

Dean Chambliss
Subregional Programme Director, Caribbean, Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)

Dr Carlene Radix
Head of Human Health and Social Division, OECS Commission

Dr Tamu Davidson
Head of Chronic Disease and Injury Department Surveillance, Disease Prevention & Control Division, CARPHA

Fransen Jean
Food Security Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Sub-regional office for the Caribbean /em>

Barbara McGaw
Project Manager, Global Health Advocacy Project, Heart Foundation of Jamaica

Shannique Bowden
Executive Director, Jamaica Youth Action Network

Francine Charles
Programme Manager, Childhood Obesity Prevention Programme, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados

Deonne Caines
Technical Officer, National Food Industry Task Force, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica

Michelle Ash
Chief Nutritionist and Head of Department, Ministry of Health Special Services & Programmes Building, Trinidad and Tobago

Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw
Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Barbados

Tamie Marie
Communications Consultant, Healthy Caribbean Coalition

Nicole Foster
Law Lecturer & Head, Law and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Law, UWI Cave Hill Campus; HCC Policy Technical Advisor

Pierre Cooke Jnr
Youth Advocate, Campaign Champion, Youth Voices Technical Advisor, Healthy Caribbean Coalition

Maisha Hutton
Executive Director, Healthy Caribbean Coalition

The post #ActOnFacts – The Food In Our Schools Matters Webinar appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.