The 2007 Port of Spain Declaration on non-communicable diseases, endorsed by Heads of Governments, expressed strong support for eliminating trans fats from citizens’ diet. In 2022, CARICOM Ministers of Trade and Health committed to enacting legislation by December 2024 and to eliminating trans fats from the Caribbean food supply by December 2025.

It’s time to follow through!

View/download the Fact sheet

AVOIDING CONSUMPTION GOES BEYOND INDIVIDUAL CHOICE!

On an individual level, we can all reduce our intake of trans fats by avoiding fried, baked and packaged goods that contain hydrogenated oils, partially hydrogenated oils or list trans fats on their labels.

However, in reality, trans fats aren’t always listed on nutrition labels and it’s difficult to tell whether they are being used in street or restaurant food as compared to other fats.

For example, because hard margarine and vegetable shortening contain trans fats, anything made with these products —like biscuits, pies and breads —will likely contain trans fats as well.

That’s why it’s the responsibility of our government, to protect citizens from the harmful effects of trans fats.

Avoiding trans fats goes beyond individual responsibility! Governments need to protect their citizens.

Implementing regulations that limit industrially produced trans fats to no more than 2% of the total fat in all food products or banning partially hydrogenated oils altogether can help solve our trans fats problem. And this is a very achievable goal!

As of July 2024, 58 countries around the world (covering 3.7 billion people) – 9 of them in the Americas – have already enacted best practice policies to eliminate trans fats.

The Caribbean region is, unfortunately, falling behind in taking action despite its commitments.  But it’s not too late!

Eliminating trans fats from our food supply by December 2025 is a win that is still within reach once policymakers fulfill their commitments.

THE CARIBBEAN RELATIONSHIP WITH TRANS FATS!

So far, we only have commitments that have been made. The reality of our relationship with trans fats in the Caribbean is still quite dire despite so many other countries eliminating the harmful substance.

A Jamaican study conducted in 2023, revealed that almost 34% of very commonly consumed foods contained trans fats and about half of all products claiming to have not trans fats actually did. This proves that labels cannot be trusted as a means of detecting trans fats in our foods and further cements the need for policies that protect Caribbean people.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) conducted an assessment on the economic impact of eliminating industrially produced trans fats in Barbados. They found that implementing a national ban in 2019 could have prevented USD 546,246.13 in future productivity losses.

So not only is policy necessary to protect our health, it is likely to contribute positively to our economies as well!

TRANS FATS ARE A DANGER TO CARIBBEAN HEALTH!

There are no health benefits to trans fats but there a slew of harmful effects.

The consumption of trans fats is indeed associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and death from coronary heart disease. A comprehensive analysis in 2010 estimated that 537,000 global deaths from coronary heart disease were linked to trans fats intake, with 160,000 of these deaths occurring in the Americas and the Caribbean, 45% of which were premature.

But there are other risks to consuming trans fats:

Cardiovascular disease is another issue exacerbated by trans fats intake. Trans fats increase LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), which carries cholesterol through the blood vessels. It is commonly called “bad cholesterol”. Trans fats also decrease HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein), commonly called “good cholesterol”, which carries cholesterol from the blood to the liver where it is broken down and removed from the body.

Type 2 Diabetes is also a risk affected by trans fats consumption as they impair the body’s ability to use insulin effectively.

Chronic Inflammation has also been shown by research to be significantly influenced by the intake of trans fats, contributing to an adverse inflammatory profile.

Obesity has been proven to be exacerbated by the consumption of trans fats as it increases weight gain and the accumulation of visceral fat.

Diminished Mental Performance is another risk of trans fats consumption. Research has revealed adverse effects on the brain and nervous system, and potential implications for cognitive function and mental performance.  A study on dementia patients unearthed a correlation between trans fats levels, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and the severity of cognitive disorders, suggesting a link to cognitive decline.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND TRANS FATS

Trans fats are called by several names and are listed differently on various food labels and nutritional lists. They can be called:

• trans-fatty acids (TFAs)
• unsaturated fatty acids
• trans-unsaturated fatty acids
• hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils

But what exactly are they? How are they produced?

Well, there are two types:

Natural trans fats are produced naturally in very small amounts in the guts of some ruminant animals like cows, sheep, and goats through bacterial transformation of unsaturated fatty acids derived from feed.

On the other hand, industrially-produced trans fats are manufactured by partial hydrogenation of liquid vegetable oils containing unsaturated fatty acids. Hydrogenation is simply the addition of hydrogen to these liquid oils in order to make them solid at room temperature.

Most trans fats come from ultra-processed products —extensively modified versions of natural foods because they give a more desirable taste and texture, and extend the shelf life of these chemically altered food products.

THE HCC’S FIGHT TO HELP ELIMINATE TRANS FATS FROM THE CARIBBEAN

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is supporting civil society advocacy for the elimination of industrially-produced trans fatty-acids from the Caribbean food supply.

In January 2024, the HCC launched a project with the primary objective being to collaborate with key regional and national partners to spur policymakers to action and build public awareness and support for the enactment of regulations in CARICOM Member States that will eliminate partially hydrogenated oils from the food supply, and limit trans fatty acid content to no more than 2% of total fat in all food products.

PARTNER LOGOS

Other contributing partners: The CARICOM Secretariat, The Caribbean Public Health Law Forum (CPHLF), The Law and Health Research Unit (LHRU) of the University of the West Indies, Barbados, The O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University in Washington D.C, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), The Ministry of Health And Wellness, Barbados, Healthy Bahamas Coalition (HBC), Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), Lake Health and Wellbeing of St, Kitts and Nevis, The St. Lucia Diabetes & Hypertension Association (SLDHA) and The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, Saint Lucia.

The post Let’s Talk About Trans Fats and Why They Need To Go! appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

This regional-youth led activity emerged from the  “Caribbean Youth Voices in Health Advocacy Spaces – Healthy Food Policy Action”, the first of its kind youth meeting on Healthy Food Policies held in February 2024, aims to highlight youth support for school nutrition policies that regulate the sale and marketing of ultra processed products in and around schools. This policy should be supported by the implementation of Octagonal front of package warning labelling. 

Dr. Tiffannie Skerritt, CARICOM Youth Ambassador for Montserrat, led the charge locally, gathering together key stakeholders such as health practitioners, youth leaders and civil society organization representatives to discuss the concerning rise in childhood obesity and NCDs in Montserrat as well as strategies to build a healthier environment, including a healthier school food environment.

The event was covered by various local media houses:

• ZJB Radio – Spirit of Montserrat
• Bahamas At Sunrise
• The ZNS Network
• Alliouagana Express

She noted, “The forum was well supported by key stakeholders to include youth, civil society and policy makers. The forum provided an opportunity to revive the conversation around school nutrition policies and bring greater awareness to the need for front of package labelling. Key interventions summarized epidemiology data about childhood obesity in Montserrat, and obstacles delaying policy implementation in the past. Visionaries endorsed the draft policy and pledged their support in seeing it go ahead. Details from a student focus group expressing challenges to seeking healthier food options in their school environments were also presented.  Overall; attendees benefited from this youth led activity with local media coverage ensuring the message from this  was circulated via news broadcasts and articles.”

Click/tap to listen to listen to Dr. Tiffannie Skerritt on ZJB Radio Montserrat

Healthy Caribbean Youth members and members of the Healthy Bahamas Coalition led an engaging panel discussion in Rawson square in close proximity, symbolically, to the National Parliament Building. A panel of predominantly youth leaders shared the current challenges they face in navigating their school food environment and their vision for an environment where the healthy choice is the easy choice. The event was covered by Eyewitness News and ZNS News. 

Kaj Archer

Kaj Archer, who guided the team, noted that, “The Hope for the Future event provided a platform for the youth of The Bahamas to stand up and speak out about their fundamental right to healthy foods in school environments.

The youth panelists articulated their vision for the future, emphasizing accessible and affordable healthy food options, regulation of ultra-processed foods, and educational initiatives to foster healthy relationships with food among school-aged children. This event underscored the importance of involving youth in policy discussions that directly impact their development.”

On September 25 2024, youth from across the Caribbean will host similar events calling our regional leaders to lead, putting youth first. Ahead of this, youth took over social media on August 12 – International Youth Day to urge governments to prioritize healthy school food environments. On August 14th, key youth advocates and stakeholders from across the Caribbean hosted an Instagram Live discussing the topic further.

All children in the Caribbean deserve to learn and grow in healthy school environments that are not inundated with ultraprocessed products. It has been 17 years since the region’s leaders unified their vision for a healthier Caribbean through the Port of Spain Declaration. Now, it is time for them to revisit previous commitments, including healthier school food environments, #actonfacts and walk the talk for better nutrition in schools. They have the support of the region’s youth.
Danielle Walwyn
Advocacy Officer, HCC and Lead, Healthy Caribbean Youth (youth arm of the HCC)

The post Hope for the Future appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD) is one of the regional responses geared towards increasing awareness and promoting measures among CARICOM Member States and their populations, to address the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which continue to severely impact the health, economy and development of the Caribbean region.

The theme is – Power Through Collective Action: Good Health is Our Right.

A Message from the President of the HCC

A Message from Dr Kenneth Connell – President, Healthy Caribbean Coalition on this the occasion of Caribbean Wellness Day 2024

A Statement from the Healthy Caribbean Coalition on Caribbean Wellness Day 2024

The HCC – an alliance of over 85 civil Society organisations across the Caribbean – is proud join with partners the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), CARICOM and Ministries of Health to celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day 2024 under the theme Power Through Collective Action: Good Health is Our Right.

As we look towards the 4th United Nations High Level Meeting on NCDs (HLM4) one year away in September 2025, and beyond to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the HCC recalls the vision and leadership of CARICOM Heads of Government seventeen years ago when they endorsed the Port of Spain Declaration on NCDs (POSD). This seminal document embodied the theme of Collective Action – recognising the need for a whole of society and whole of government response to NCDs and catalysing the global community around NCDs triggering the first UNHLM on NCDs in 2011. Although there has been some progress on the goals of the POSD, much remains to be done as evidenced by the 2022 WHO NCD Progress Monitor and the 2024 POS Tracking Grid (prepared by the Sir George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, UWI); and most concerning, by the continued unacceptably high burden of obesity and NCDs leading to preventable suffering and death of Caribbean citizens across our region.

This year’s CWD theme reminds us that Good Health is Our Right and we must continue to hold our leaders accountable to their commitments and play our respective roles in creating health-supporting environments. Over the next 12 months in lead up to the HLM4, HCC and our Caribbean CSO membership will join the global civil society community – under the banner TIME TO LEAD – calling on our political leaders to demonstrate fearless leadership in accelerating action on NCDs. As we did in 2018, HCC will unite with regional partners to agree on NCD advocacy priorities which will move us closer to achieving meaningful reductions in obesity and NCDs as we work towards achieving the SDGs.

On behalf of the Founding President and the Board of Directors of the HCC, we wish all Caribbean people a Happy Caribbean Wellness Day and look forward to leveraging the power of collective action to ensure every citizen’s right to good health as we work towards the prevention and control of NCDs in the Caribbean.

‘My Health My Right’ a Message from Members of the Healthy Caribbean Youth

Message from Dr Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General on Caribbean Wellness Day 2024

Caribbean Wellness Day 2024 is being observed on Saturday, 14 September, under the 2020-2024 theme, ‘Power through Collective Action’, and the 2024 sub-theme ‘Good Health is our Right!’

The observation of this day has its roots in the Port of Spain Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) of 2007, which expressed the commitment of CARICOM Member States to ensure the good health and well-being of the people of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).  It promotes awareness of the impact of NCDs on the people of the Caribbean, along with measures to reduce the incidence of NCDs.

Influencing and empowering individuals to make healthier choices requires collective action and a multisectoral approach. National policies to support education on healthy food options, physical activity, and access to quality health services throughout the life course remain cornerstones to effectively address these diseases.

The Caribbean Community has been working to address NCDs, a leading cause of death in the Region, along with agencies such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), an alliance of civil society to combat NCDs.  The Community’s initiatives to actively support the rights of citizens to good health include the ‘Tobacco-Free Caribbean’ and ‘Caribbean Moves’ initiatives.

CARICOM Heads of Government have prioritised addressing crime and violence as a public health issue. Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who leads on Energy and Security (Drugs and Illicit Arms) in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet, hosted a regional symposium in April 2023. A follow-up forum is to be hosted by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, in November this year, as the Community continues to focus on this scourge of violence, which impacts our right to health and safety.

The Community’s efforts to increase agricultural production is intended to support good health by making more fresh food available and affordable, thereby reducing the demand for imported foods which are preserved and contain unhealthy levels of salt and fats.

As we mark Caribbean Wellness Day, I urge all Member States to continue their efforts to address the Region’s health challenges through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. I also encourage everyone to make those changes, such as consuming more fresh food and increasing activity levels, that will help to improve your health.

A healthy and happy Caribbean Wellness Day 2024 to all!

Caribbean Wellness Day 2024 | Official Statement by Dr. Lisa Indar Interim Executive Director, CARPHA

Regional Messages on Caribbean Wellness Day

The post Caribbean Wellness Day – Messages from Across the Region appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Dear Students of 2030,

2030 isn’t just a milestone—it’s a turning point for global development; it marks our global check-in on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 3:Good Health and Well-being. As you step into this new school year during this critical year, let’s rewind to 2024. We were a group of youth health advocates from across the Caribbean who fought passionately for healthier school food environments. Back then, students like yourselves were growing and learning in spaces that did not support your physical and mental well-being—a clear violation of your right to health. We could not just stand by and do nothing. So, we worked tirelessly to address these challenges, creating a vision for a healthier future—a future we hope has become a reality for you in this year of global accountability.

Food Environments
In our school environments of 2024, ultra-processed foods—foods high in Salt, Sugar, Fat (including trans fats) and other additives —dominated school menus. These unhealthy foods were widely available and aggressively marketed in schools. Branded giveaways, brightly coloured product posters, and fast-food companies sponsoring school events were commonplace. Even social media was not safe, as children were constantly exposed to ads featuring popular personalities promoting these harmful choices.

Why was this a problem? The constant exposure to unhealthy food ads directly influenced children’s eating habits, driving them toward unhealthy choices that increased their risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). By 2024, one in three Caribbean children was living with overweight or obesity, and nearly 75% of deaths in the region were linked to NCDs. We hope that by 2030, these statistics have shifted for the better, and that your generation is now thriving in healthier environments—ones shaped by the commitments made by our region and global leaders.

Policy and Youth Advocacy
CARICOM leaders acknowledged the gravity of NCDs as early as 2007 in the Port of Spain Declaration, yet progress remained slow. A major issue fueling the high rates of obesity and NCDs was the absence of strong policies to safeguard school food environments. In many countries, implementation and enforcement lagged, leaving children exposed and vulnerable to unhealthy food options..

Caribbean youth—including advocates like us—took a stand in response. We held policymakers accountable for their commitments, demanding more action through public campaigns and dialogue. In Barbados, for example, youth advocates contributed to developing the School Nutrition Policy, which was implemented in 2023. Additionally, the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition launched the “Cool School Nutrition Tour” in early 2024, youth advocates visited schools nationwide to educate students on the policy’s benefits. The advocates also launched an article for International Youth Day that year, highlighting the firm stance against fast-food companies that sought to undermine these efforts.

In Jamaica, youth from the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) and UNICEF Jamaica were actively involved in consultations on their country’s School Nutrition Policy. When authorities failed to confirm the policy’s implementation for the 2024-2025 academic year, youth advocates launched an open letter demanding urgent action from the Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY).

In February 2024, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY), JYAN, the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), and UNICEF Jamaica to hold the very first regional youth meeting on healthy food policies. Youth from 13 CARICOM countries united to advocate for comprehensive school food regulations, including selling and marketing ultra-processed foods. Our voices were loud, clear, and united.

Looking Ahead
By 2030, we envision a Caribbean where all CARICOM countries have implemented comprehensive school nutrition policies regulating the sale and marketing of foods high in salt, sugar and fat. We see you having access to healthier meals, clean drinking water, and plenty of opportunities for physical activity at school. Health education will be woven into your curriculum, empowering you to make informed choices about your well-being. The progress we’ve made so far gives us hope for this healthier future.

As we reflect on the past, we hope you, today’s youth, continue to demand more from your leaders. Remember that every child has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, and governments must protect that right as signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Your bold advocacy is not just essential but integral to our collective success.

In 2024, countries like Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago have either taken steps to regulate school food environments or are in the process of doing so. However, partial measures are not enough. It is critical that comprehensive, evidence-based policies—shaped by your voices—are fully implemented. The consequences of not enforcing these policies will significantly negatively affect the region.

CARICOM leaders took a historic stand in 2007 with the Port of Spain Declaration, demanding urgent action on NCDs. Seventeen years have passed since that declaration—and by the time you read this, 23 years will have passed. The time for talk is over. Now, it is up to our current CARICOM leaders to rise to the challenge, build on the foundations laid by their predecessors, and prioritise our region’s health. Their leadership now will determine the future health of generations to come.

Our Hope for the Future
As you celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day on September 14, 2030, and reflect on this pivotal year of global accountability, we urge you to recognise your power in shaping the health and future of our region. Progress has been made, but setbacks have also occurred. It is up to you to carry the torch forward, advocating for change where it is still needed and ensuring that the health and well-being of Caribbean youth remain a top priority. You are not just the future. You are the present. Your actions and demands matter. You have the right to good health, and with your courage and determination, you can help create a future where every child in the Caribbean has the opportunity to thrive.

With hope for a healthier tomorrow,

Youth Health Advocates of 2024
Simeca Alexander-Williamson, Simone Bishop-Matthews, Ashley Foster Estick, Kaela Gerald, Dorial Quintyne, Offniel Lamont, Danielle Walwyn, Fiona Zhang on behalf of Healthy Caribbean Youth

The post Letter to the Students of 2030: Hope for The Future appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

It’s June 2024 and the Caribbean region is bustling with excitement. The 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States recently concluded, with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) policymakers determined to collaborate on a future of resilience and sustainability. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament is also captivating audiences across the region. It’s fascinating how these high-profile events generate such a flurry of activity, yet significant initiatives that are central to regional development often slip under the radar.

Take, for instance, the crucial issue of the implementation of octagonal front-of-package warning labelling (FOPWL) across CARICOM. Octagonal FOPWL helps consumers quickly, easily and correctly identify food products high in sugar, fat and sodium. These products, when consumed in excess, can lead to diet-related conditions like non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Octagonal FOPWL – a system that involves easy-to-understand ‘black stop signs’ on the front of packaged products – was rejected by the majority of CARICOM Member States. Youth health advocates across the region are asking, why?

The Caribbean has one of the highest rates of NCDs and childhood obesity in the Americas. Octagonal FOPWL is among a suite of policies proven to reduce NCDs. It is backed by growing regional and international evidence, free of conflict of interest.

By identifying products high in sugar, fat and sodium, octagonal FOPWL supports other policies, like school nutrition policies and marketing restrictions, aimed at comprehensively shaping healthier food environments. Research conducted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the University of West Indies suggests that if octagonal FOPWL was implemented in Barbados, it would avert 16% of the deaths caused by NCDs and save the country USD 732.8 million annually.

Despite the robust evidence in support of octagonal FOPWL, and its wide implementation across the  Americas, most countries across CARICOM voted against it twice – once in 2021 and again in 2023. This vote is also misaligned with the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) 6-Point Policy Package and the Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health which SIDS leaders agreed to at the 3rd SIDS Summit held last year in Bridgetown, Barbados.  Interestingly, the theme for this year’s SIDS 4 Conference was “Charting the Course Toward Resilient Prosperity”. CARICOM leaders participated in a conference on resilience, yet, regional decisions that prioritise health – the cornerstone of a resilient population – have not prevailed?  Is the region’s health, not the region’s wealth?

Denying the region this tool, is a strike against human rights – the right to adequate nutritious food, the right to information about food, the right to benefit from scientific progress/research and ultimately the right to health.

As youth advocates, we became aware of the rejection in March 2024 and it leaves us gravely concerned about the region’s commitment to health especially given CARICOM Heads of Government’s previous commitments to support healthy food environments through a number of policies including front of package labelling.

Let’s delve in: What are our major concerns with the process used to determine this final decision on octagonal front-of-package warning labelling?

Lack of Meaningful Consultation with the general public  – It is critical for issues regarding the public’s welfare to be supported by balanced public consultation. Unfortunately, there was little to no consultation with the general public on the issue. In instances where there was a consultation, industry actors were prominent voices in the room. Did you as a citizen of a CARICOM member state know that the region was determining whether or not you would benefit from the introduction of octagonal FOPWL? Likely not. Where was the ‘public’ in this matter regarding ‘public’ health?

Lack of Transparency about…almost everything- Was the composition of decision-making parties and potential conflicts of interest documented and made publicly available? Were the procedures for stakeholder consultation (including submission of comments) and the protocols for voting clearly documented and made publicly available? No. Have all the decisions that led to this current vote been publicised? Unfortunately not.

Fitting a Square Peg into a Round hole – The regional standards process is by its nature governed by trade and begs the question – does a public health measure which seeks to empower citizens to transition away from the purchase and consumption of unhealthy foods really stand a chance when those who determine its fate are inclined to prioritise economic interests over health interests?

And so, we reflect:

The recurring inability to reach a harmonised consensus on the adoption and implementation of octagonal FOPWL across CARICOM Member States, points to a prioritisation of profit over health. The flawed consultative and voting processes on this standard in 2021 and 2023 reveal a deeply rooted and pervasive industry influence often occurring behind closed doors. As a region, heavily reliant on trade and exports for economic development, it is unsurprising that some private sector actors remain a dominant voice advocating against the simple black octagonal warning label as the regional standard while pushing for alternative models which are known to be less effective and confusing to consumers.

The industry emphasises the potential costs involved in implementing the octagonal FOPWL, however the long-term health benefits and associated costs in the hundreds of millions annually far outweigh any expenses incurred. Concerns about significant costs and technical barriers to product reformulation are also overstated. Manufacturers are constantly adapting to meet requirements of external markets. Moreover, warning labels may ultimately enhance the reputation of the food industry by promoting healthier options.

The array of concerns and proposed solutions related to the process used to determine the decision on octagonal FOPWL in CARICOM are detailed in the “Public Health Decision-Making in CARICOM- Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme”. This resource was produced by the Global Center for Legal Innovation on Food Environments at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University in Washington D.C., the Law and Health Research Unit at the University of the West Indies and Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC).

As we move forward, what do we want to see?

First and foremost – a strengthening of governance of the process with an urgent implementation of transparency and accountability measures to address the challenges outlined. The “Public Health Decision-Making in CARICOM- Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme”, provides a series of recommendations that should be reviewed at the highest levels of decision making in CARICOM to address these decision making processes.

Secondly – a truly participatory process in developing future public health guidelines, taking into consideration potential conflicts of interests, on these, and similar policies that impact the general public. The public should have a say in public health.

What can you do?

1. Reach out to your local Bureau of Standards to update you on the status of octagonal FOPWL in your country.
2. Check out the new report, “Public Health Decision-Making in CARICOM- Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme”, This report seeks to inform the strengthening of public health decision-making in CARICOM by analysing the FOPWL standardisation programme led by Caribbean Regional Organization for Standard and Quality (CROSQ).
3. Stay abreast of local education campaigns that provide information on what is currently contained in foods, and more generally review your local food based dietary guideline for guidance on a healthy, balanced meal.
4. Push for your right to information about what foods you are buying and consuming. Purchase packaged foods that have a nutrition facts label affixed (often found on the back of packages) since this is the only way that we can be aware of what is actually in the foods that we are purchasing.
5. Hold our governments accountable by calling out alliances with companies that continue to manufacture and distribute ultra processed products. These alliances can promote the stance of profit over people. Lobby for the implementation of conflict of interest policies to increase transparency and safeguard policymaking.

As the SIDS meeting and T20 cricket buzz fades, we as youth health advocates wonder how our CARICOM Leaders will create a lasting impact on the health of our region? How will they refocus on health and stay true to long standing commitments made to implement policies and programmes – like octagonal front-of-package warning labels – to not only treat but prevent non-communicable diseases? Are we hitting healthy food policies for a Six?

Simone Bishop-Matthews, Shay Stabler-Morris, Simeca Alexander Williamson, Danielle Walwyn, Michele Baker, Kerrie Barker, Kimberley Benjamin, Rozette Scotland and Mahalia Wilson are members of Healthy Caribbean Youth.

Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY), the youth arm of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, is a regional group of young health advocates with various backgrounds who are passionate about promoting good health and supportive environments for children and youth.

Are you a young person interested in advocating for a healthier Caribbean? Are you between the ages of 15-35? Consider joining the youth arm of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition by emailing hcy@healthycaribbean.org.

The post Are We Hitting Healthy Food Policies for a Six? appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

On Wednesday June 5, 2024, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) hosted a pivotal discussion-based event, “Ignite Change: Tobacco-Control Efforts in the Caribbean”, focusing on the impact of new and emerging tobacco products on children and youth and tobacco control advocacy efforts. This event gathered key stakeholders across various sectors and was held in recognition of World No Tobacco Day 2024, which highlighted the need to protect young people from tobacco industry interference.

Participants explored the increasing use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) among Caribbean youth, the aggressive marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry, and ways to engage youth as advocates in tobacco control efforts.

Discussion Objectives
The objectives of the session were to:

• Discuss concerns with the new and emerging tobacco products in the Caribbean, and the impact on children and youth
• Explore strategies for Caribbean child and youth engagement in tobacco control advocacy
• Highlight and amplify tobacco control advocacy efforts in the Caribbean
• Introduce and expand the newly formed network of key stakeholders interested in sharing and collaborating on tobacco control related efforts in the Caribbean.

The post Ignite Change: Tobacco-Control Efforts in the Caribbean appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its global partners recognize May 31 annually as World No Tobacco Day. The significance of this special day is to encourage people who smoke to quit and those who don’t to never start. World No Tobacco Day is often celebrated by highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for the effective monitoring of the sale, distribution, consumption and promotion of tobacco products. Every year tobacco kills more than 8 million people, 7 million of which are due to tobacco use while approximately 1.2 million are due to non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

This year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day, “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”, cuts to the core of a disturbing truth – The tobacco industry needs replacement users and youth are a primary target. Many of us use social media and are constantly bombarded with advertisements. Disturbingly, among these ads, the tobacco industry has found a way to infiltrate the screens of youth with flashy, colourful promotions for their products. These ads are meticulously designed to appeal to youthful sensibilities, making smoking and vaping seem attractive and harmless.

The Rising Threat of New and Emerging Tobacco Products

Traditional cigarettes are no longer the only threat. The rise of electronic cigarettes, oral nicotine products etc., have introduced a new dimension to the problem. These products are often marketed as safer alternatives or cessation tools, but they pose significant risks, especially to young, developing brains. The appeal of e-cigarettes to adolescents is particularly troubling. A 2022 study of 47 countries found that 8.6% of youth reported using e-cigarettes in the last 30 days. In the Caribbean a handful of countries are regulating e-cigarettes including Jamaica, Guyana, and Barbados, who have banned e-cigarette use in public places. Antigua and Barbuda, along with Suriname, have taken an even stronger stance by prohibiting the import, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes altogether. Despite these measures, the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data showed current use of e-cigarettes among 13-15-year-old students ranging from 4.0% in Antigua and Barbuda to 17.2% in Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago has the second-highest rate of youth e-cigarette use in all of the Americas, following the United States. Traditional cigarette smoking among youth still continues to be a major concern because they are regarded as the smokers of tomorrow as three to four out of every ten ever-smokers, in the Caribbean region, initiated smoking before the age of 10 years.

Tobacco use, in any form, is linked to numerous health risks, including an increased likelihood of developing cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes containing nicotine are particularly harmful as they can lead to nicotine addiction, which adversely affects brain development in adolescents, potentially impairing memory, concentration, and learning abilities. Even e-cigarettes without nicotine or electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) can be dangerous due to the inhalation of harmful chemicals and flavourings that can cause respiratory issues and other health problems. Nicotine pouches, though marketed as a safer alternative, still deliver highly addictive nicotine and can lead to dependency, oral health issues, and an increased risk of transitioning to other tobacco products. The link between vaping and mental health issues is becoming increasingly evident.  A U.S study published in 2019, examined the association between e-cigarette use and depression and found that current e-cigarette users had more than twice the odds of reporting a history of clinical depression compared to those who had never used e-cigarettes. Specifically, current e-cigarette users were 2.10 times more likely to report depression, with the odds increasing with the frequency of use.

The Tobacco Industry’s Pervasive Marketing Strategies

As a youth tobacco control advocate, I am especially concerned with the tobacco industry’s persistent marketing in the Caribbean. With social media being widely used, especially among young people, tobacco companies are leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X formerly known as Twitter, and TikTok to promote their addictive products. These companies, having honed their skills in targeting youth, are now implementing online marketing strategies that are both sophisticated and pervasive. These strategies include lifestyle campaigns that link tobacco and nicotine with freedom, rebellion, and youthfulness, creating an appealing image that resonates strongly with adolescents. Additionally, tobacco companies are compensating social media influencers to endorse their brands subtly, seamlessly integrating their products into the daily lives of young followers. A report from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, titled #SponsoredByBigTobacco, reveals that promotional content for Velo, IQOS and Vuse (products by British American Tobacco and Phillip Morris) has accumulated over 3.4 billion views on social media and reached more than 150 million young people under the age of 25.

The tobacco industry is also using carnivals and festivals as a marketing opportunity. For example, British American Tobacco heavily promoted their vaping device, Vuse, during the Jamaican Carnival. They used social media to advertise a promotion where purchasing Vuse products gave participants a chance to win a t-shirt package to Play Mas. They even had their own carnival truck and tents where Vuse products were prominently displayed. This type of marketing not only targets young adults but also attracts young children and teenagers, embedding the presence of tobacco products in the festive and culturally significant atmosphere of carnival. This concerted effort has allowed Big Tobacco to reach a massive young audience, making addictive products seem normal and even desirable through extensive in-person and social media exposure.

From conversations with my peers, it’s clear why vapes are so enticing: the wide range of flavours, their trendy image, affordability, and the misleading perception that they are harmless.Companies like Philip Morris and the West Indian Tobacco Company Limited have capitalised on these perceptions by advancing their own “smoke-free vision” – marketing their vaping devices as “risk-reduced alternatives” and a way for adult smokers to quit tobacco. However, the evidence shows a different story. Studies have shown that youth often misunderstand these claims, and are led to believe that these products are without harm, leading to an increased likelihood of nicotine and tobacco-use initiation.

The Urgent Need for Comprehensive Regulations

The WHO’s newly published report, Hooking the Next Generation: how the tobacco industry captures young customers, has revealed the strategies employed by the tobacco and nicotine industry to entice youth. Recent statistics show that 85% of 15–30-year-olds have been exposed to e-cigarette advertising, with higher exposure linked to increased use. In light of this data, Caribbean youth are joining the call to action on World No Tobacco Day 2024, urging our governments to protect us from the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry. This call to action aims to raise awareness and mobilise efforts to prevent the targeting and exploitation of young people by these harmful products and deceptive strategies. It is crucial to reveal how the industry markets new products as “reduced risk” alternatives, misleading young consumers. Moreover, comprehensive regulations are essential to protect youth from new tobacco and nicotine products. Extending smoke-free laws to include e-cigarettes and other novel products, as well as banning flavours that appeal to young users, are vital steps in preventing the renormalization of smoking behaviours.

In collaboration with the HCC, I developed the Youth Tobacco Advocacy Portal, which serves as a platform to share information, strategies, and resources to combat tobacco use and influence policy changes. For WNTD 2023, the HCC launched a report developed in collaboration with PAHO:, Vaping Among Adolescents and Youth in the Caribbean Situation, Policy Responses and Recommended Actions, which provides guidance to Caribbean governments. Governments play a crucial role in this fight and should take decisive actions to safeguard youth. Based on this report’s recommendations,  I urge our governments to implement and enforce the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC):

• Implement and enforce comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS), including guidelines for digital and cross-border marketing, to prevent tobacco companies from exploiting new media platforms to target youth.
• Raise prices and taxes on tobacco and nicotine products to make them less affordable and less accessible to young people.
• Strictly enforce bans on the sale of tobacco and nicotine products to children.
• Address tobacco industry interference and conflict of interest. The tobacco industry’s persistent interference in policy-making demands stringent measures. Rejecting any partnerships or agreements with the industry is paramount, given their history of undermining tobacco control efforts. Moreover, enhancing transparency in the industry’s lobbying and marketing practices is imperative to safeguard policy-making processes from undue influence. Good governance policies must be enacted to ensure transparency and address conflict of interest and industry interference, aligning with the principles outlined in the 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health and Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC.
• Update legislation to include ENDS and ENNDS to address the evolving landscape of tobacco products and ensure comprehensive protection for youth.

As we commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2024, we must remember that safeguarding our youth from the tobacco industry’s predatory practices is non-negotiable. The rise of new and alluring tobacco products, coupled with the relentless barrage of social media marketing, underscores the urgency of our response. Our governments must heed the call to action, enacting comprehensive regulations and enforcing existing frameworks like the WHO FCTC with unwavering determination. By prioritising transparency, accountability, and the well-being of our youth, we can dismantle the tobacco industry’s web of deceit and protect future generations from the grip of addiction and disease.

Let this day serve as a catalyst for change, uniting us in our resolve to build a nicotine and tobacco-free Caribbean.

Dorial Quintyne is the Project Assistant for the Healthy Caribbean Coalition’s Healthy Food Policy Project and holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Seoul National University, South Korea. She is a passionate youth tobacco control advocate and an active member of Healthy Caribbean Youth.

The post Did You Know The Tobacco Industry Has A Hold On Our Youth? appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

On Friday, 17 May 2024, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and partners hosted a webinar entitled ‘Caribbean Mobilising to Eliminate Industrially Produced Trans Fats’, it convened key regional stakeholders to discuss the elimination of industrially produced trans fats (iTFAs) from the Caribbean food supply. iTFAs are a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases, causing around 278,000 deaths globally each year.

In 2022, CARICOM member states committed to removing iTFA from the food supply by December 2025. Momentum is building across the region as countries begin work in this area with the support of key regional partners. Civil society has an important role to play in supporting these efforts.

Funded by a grant from Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), HCC has undertaken an initiative which aims to support civil society advocacy and increase public and policymaker awareness for regulatory policies to eliminate partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) and limit iTFAs to no more than 2% of total fat in all food products. This webinar was a crucial step in building momentum and support for iTFA regulation across the region

Webinar Goal and Objectives

The goal of this webinar was to build regional support for the accelerated enactment of regulatory policies in CARICOM Member States to eliminate iTFA from the food supply.

The objectives of the webinar were to:

• Sensitise HCC’s stakeholders about the HCC Civil Society iTFA Advocacy Project.
• Build awareness about iTFAs, their associated health dangers and presence in the Caribbean food supply.
• Showcase global best practices and lessons learned in iTFA regulation.
• Build awareness of regulatory approaches and pathways for the elimination of iTFAs in CARICOM, and in doing so, highlight the feasibility of introducing iTFA regulation in the Caribbean.

Sponsors and Partners

This webinar was implemented with the support of RTSL, in partnership with CARICOM, the Caribbean Public Health Law Forum, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the OECS Commission, the Law and Health Research Unit (LHRU), the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), Healthy Bahamas Coalition (HBC), Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), Lake Health and Wellbeing and the St. Lucia Diabetes & Hypertension Association (SLDHA).

The post Caribbean Mobilising to Eliminate Industrially Produced Trans Fats appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

Using Big Tobacco’s Playbook

As a youth tobacco control advocate in the Caribbean, I see glaring similarities between the tactics of the tobacco industry and those of the food and beverage industry. The tobacco industry asserts itself as a stakeholder in policy development. They often lobby against comprehensive tobacco control policies under the guise of protecting jobs and economic interests, disregarding the toll of tobacco-related diseases on our communities.

They attempt to influence scientific research to cast doubt on the harms of their products. By funding studies that downplay the health risks of tobacco use or promote misleading claims, they seek to undermine the evidence base for tobacco control measures. The tobacco industry strategically targets youth by marketing flavoured vapes with attractive packaging while engaging in corporate social responsibility activities, such as sponsorships and scholarships, which improves their public image.

The food and beverage industry is clearly mimicking Big Tobacco’s playbook, evident in their persistent marketing to children and resistance to the Octagonal Warning Label. However, Caribbean youth won’t be silent bystanders. We demand transparent, evidence-based public health policies that prioritize our well-being, not corporate profits.

Dorial Quintyne
(Public Health Practitioner, Barbados)

Breastmilk Substitutes

A troubling trend in their marketing strategy involves portraying formula as a cure-all for common infant issues like fussiness and colic, which are natural developmental processes ideally addressed through breastfeeding. This not only fuels unwarranted anxiety around breastfeeding and infant care but also establishes a misleading equivalence between formula and breastfeeding. This narrative undermines women’s confidence in exclusively breastfeeding, potentially contributing to lower breastfeeding rates globally.

Here in CARICOM, implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes from the WHO is abysmal with only one country reported as having implemented any provisions – a critical measure to counteract the powerful breast milk substitutes lobby. For advocates, like myself, a first step is a call for full implementation of the Code supported by widespread transformations such as universal paid maternity leave. Governments, workplaces, and healthcare providers must collaborate to ensure unwavering support, offering unbiased information about infant feeding.
Additionally, implementing clear front-of package warning labels is crucial for empowering parents to make informed decisions about their children’s nutrition. Breast milk remains the paramount source of infant nutrition, and these labels can counteract the oversimplified messaging of formula marketing, emphasizing the unequivocal benefits of breastfeeding. This concerted effort aims to create a more informed and supportive global environment for parents and caregivers.

Rhianna Smith
Breastfeeding Advocate, Barbados

How can governments protect policies from industry interference – highlighting the CROSQ report

Being involved in the development of the newly published (March 2024) report, ‘Public health decision-making in CARICOM: Strengthening the Front-of-Package Nutrition Labelling Standardisation Programme’, which analyses and seeks to inform the strengthening of that standardisation programme, has underscored for me the importance of governments in protecting public policies.

The report highlights, for example, the labyrinth of actors involved and the multiple potential entry points for inordinate industry interference in the process to revise the CARICOM Regional Standard specification for the labelling of pre-packaged foods to include octagonal ‘high in’ warning labels as defined by the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model. From the lack of standardisation in the approach to commenting, voting and accepting evidence, to variations in committees’ composition, among other factors, it is evident that weak or absent rules to govern multisectoral engagement in policymaking create opportunities for commercial and other vested interests to usurp public health interests.

I am convinced that our CARICOM Governments must not only sit in the driver’s seat of the policymaking process but must also establish clear rules for legitimate stakeholders to navigate the policymaking space in ways that do not undermine the public interests at stake. As such, governments must adopt, implement and consistently monitor a suite of governance mechanisms, such as conflict of interest policies and access to information laws.

Kimberley Benjamin
Attorney-at-law, Barbados

The Jamaican FOPWL voting process

The 2023 Jamaican voting process for the Final Draft CARICOM Regional Standard–5, which included the Octagonal Warning Label and the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model, was marred by significant irregularities, suggesting interference from the food and beverage industry. As a member of the National Consumers League (NCL), I participated in this process, motivated by my expertise as a global health lawyer.

The process was supervised by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ). Per BSJ standards, a 75% affirmative vote was required to approve the standard. However, the five stakeholder groups’ votes resulted in a deadlock: 40% in favour (NGOs and academia), 40% against (industry and government), and 20% undecided—both members of the consumer group (Consumer Affairs Commission-CAC and National Consumer League of Jamaica-NCLJ) could not reach a consensus.

Instead of reporting this deadlock to CROSQ and recording an abstention, NCL was invited to meetings under the guise of having the consumer stakeholder group (NCL and CAC) come to a definite decision i.e. consensus. NCL had originally voted in favour of the standard. This approach was inappropriate, as reaching the 75% requirement for approval was impossible at this stage. The only other objective would have been to secure a firm opposing vote as the national position. The interventions constitute significant irregularities, reflecting a pattern of industry interference seen in regulatory processes globally.

Urgent steps must be taken to improve public health governance such that standards-making/ policymaking processes such as these are safeguarded from undue influence by industry actors with conflicting interests.

Shajoe Lake
Global Health Lawyer, Jamaica

FOPWL 

As a major industrial hub in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago guarantees a lucrative market for processed or ultra-processed products, crippling health systems. As a youth advocate in the healthy food policy space, there has been a lack of transparency in T&T’s consultative and voting processes around the hotly debated ‘high-in’ octagonal front of package warning label (FOPWL) standard. Food and beverage manufacturers and distributors continue to resist the adoption of the FOPWL standard, which reflects their willingness to sacrifice consumers’ health in pursuit of profits.

Even more concerning, is the shift of a public health strategy in combating obesogenic environments to a trade-focused debate. Under the guise of concerns over costs to consumers and manufacturers associated with mass reformulation or relabeling requirements, private sector has conducted studies to determine an appropriate FOPL scheme, hoping to undermine the scientific evidence highlighting octagonal warning label’s FOPL’s efficacy.

It is evident that food and beverage industries are well-connected politically, capitalizing on their resources to provoke fear and ignorance amidst the region’s economic vulnerabilities. We must keep pushing for the regional adoption of the FOPWL standard and unmask industry interference. We call on our governments to safeguard the region’s economic development but not at the cost to consumers’ health and wellbeing.

Simone Bishop Matthews
Public Health Practitioner, Trinidad and Tobago

The importance of COI free public health research in informing healthy food policies

As a public health researcher, it is important to scrutinise all aspects of research, including: the connections of the researcher(s), the funding source(s), the event(s) under observation, the overall research design, questions asked, how they’re asked, as well as the communities and individuals one speaks to.

Consider these two example questions:

• Do you think that the government should place restrictions on what you eat and drink?
• Can you describe ways in which the government could promote healthy eating practices?

One question is leading and biased, the other is objective. These questions may seem similar in focus, but the outcomes will be very different.

Too often, we see misleading research from ‘industry actors’ who produce, promote and distribute unhealthy food and beverages. These reports create a distinct conflict-of-interest. Instead of truly prioritizing the health and wellbeing of society, they downplay the health-harming effects of their products and distract the consumer with other focuses.
Octagonal Front-of-Package Warning Labels (FOPWL) are an effective solution to this issue. The Pan American Health Organization notes that the ‘High-In’ Octagonal label, modelled in countries like Chile and Mexico, is the best and most readily understood nutrition label. Consumers using this system can easily and accurately identify products high in nutrients of concern like salt, sugar and fats.

Despite this clear public health evidence, we see industry promoting other, less efficient and less effective labelling standards. Policy makers must avoid such research as it often prioritises the profitability of the business over the health and wellbeing of people.

Christopher Laurie
Public Health Researcher, Barbados

Marketing to Children

As the Advocacy Officer for Childhood Obesity Prevention and Healthy Food Policy at the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, I am responsible for monitoring conflicts of interest and industry interference in policy-making across the region. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I observed a troubling trend: the increased marketing of ultra-processed brands and products directly to children. This strategy, aimed at acquiring and retaining customers from a young age, disregards the well-documented physical and mental health risks associated with product consumption.

This insidious unhealthy food marketing, particularly when targeting children across the Caribbean and globally, takes various forms, from branded school sponsored events and the distribution of branded school items, to donations of ultra-processed products to vulnerable children by numerous food/beverage manufacturers and entities. These are deflective activities aimed at gaining public and policymaker favor while promoting products for profit.

By cultivating this collective favour, actors in the ultra-processed product industry gain privileged access to policymakers, entering “closed-door meetings” and policymaking spaces that lack clear guidelines for managing conflicts of interest and fostering transparency. Their gained public support and respect also discourages questioning of their presence in these influential spaces.

It is crucial to urgently address what may seem like innocent tactics as they evolve to threaten the development of mechanisms, like healthy food policies, that are designed to protect the region’s health.

Danielle Walwyn
Advocacy Officer, Antigua and Barbuda

SEE THE TRUTH: SOME FOOD INDUSTRY ACTORS WORKING AGAINST OCTAGONAL WARNING LABELS

There is an urgent need to protect our public health policy-making processes.

Since the start of consultations around the front-of-package labelling Regional Standard for pre-packaged food products in 2018, the ultra-processed food and beverage industry — supported by the wider private sector industry in the Caribbean — has become an overpowering actor in healthy food policy discussions.

Visit the campaign webpage

The post Our Youth See the Truth appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) has expanded its sponsorship through the Theme Category for the upcoming Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) NGC Caribbean Media Awards to two (2) categories; Print Media and Television. The HCC recognises the importance of the content published by the regional media, as a key partner, in the efforts to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity and non-communicable diseases, across the Caribbean. Media advocacy around healthy food policies supports on-the-ground and digital communication campaigns across the Caribbean. Through this effort, the HCC continues to encourage the media to increase the coverage and the focus on comprehensive healthy nutrition food policies, as one of the key steps in promoting an environment which is conducive to good health.

On August 13, 2024, the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) CBU Caribbean Media Awards Gala event transmitted live from Belize, will include an award for print journalism and television journalism under the theme: Healthy Nutrition Food Policy.  The prize will include a trophy as well as a BBD $2,000.00 bursary for the Award winners each, to produce additional material under the theme. This year, the HCC will also sponsor the travel and accommodation of the two (2) winners in the theme category: Healthy Nutrition Food Policy; Print and Television, to attend the Awards.

The eligible entries for the HCC-supported Award will explore regional healthy food policies including regulating school food environments, particularly  through the restriction or  ban on the sale and marketing of ultra-processed food products in schools (including sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs)); fiscal policies to make healthy foods more affordable while deterring consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed food products through taxation such as the introduction of or increase in SSB taxes of at least 20%; and strengthening food labelling through the introduction of octagonal ‘high-in’ warning labels on pre-packaged foods  using the PAHO nutrient profile model.

This category is open to all print and television media, whether or not they are CBU members, operating from: Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands; the Commonwealth of Dominica; Grenada; Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat; St. Kitts & Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Entries must have been published between January 1 and December 31, of 2023 and can be submitted through to February 29, 2024.

In welcoming the continued partnership with the CBU, HCC Communications Officer, Mrs. Sheena Warner-Edwards noted that

the HCC has been able to fortify direct engagement with the region’s media. In small developing settings such as those in the Caribbean, the media has been a major partner in the public health space. As partners, they have served as crucial health information vehicles. Their significant influence has led to increased awareness in and adoption of best public health practices, exemplified by the productive dialogue around and implementation of healthy nutrition food policies across the region”.

HCC Communications Officer, Mrs. Sheena Warner-Edwards

More information on the Awards can be obtained from CBU’s website, HCC’s website or through CBU’s and HCC’s other online platforms.

The post HCC Expands Its Theme Sponsorship for the 2023 CBU Caribbean Media Awards appeared first on Healthy Caribbean Coalition.