Hope for the Future - The Time Has Come For Policymakers To Truly Invest In Healthy School Food Environments. You Have The Support of the Region's Youth.
Youth from across the Caribbean are demanding healthier school food environments. In just one week, advocates across the globe will celebrate the Global Week for Action on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) under the theme “It’s time to Lead”. In the lead up to this momentous event youth from across the Caribbean are calling on their governments to lead by accelerating implementing evidence-based policies to protect food environments, particularly the school food environment.
Youth health advocates in St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago will initiate “Hope for the Future” - a significant gathering of key stakeholders in each territory to underscore the need for comprehensive school nutrition policies that regulate the sale and marketing of ultra-processed products like sugary drinks from school settings. These policies should be supported by octagonal front of package warning labels to help school communities easily identify foods which should not be available in school settings. The gathering of stakeholders is an essential strategy for building healthy and resilient communities.
Notably, nearly 40 youth health advocates are leading the charge across participating countries and are joined by youth health advocates internationally in a call for improved health outcomes in the spirit of the Global Week for Action on NCDs. Youth in The Bahamas and Montserrat already hosted their events in early July. These events will serve as a compelling reminder to local and regional leaders of their commitment to implementing health-protecting strategies, including evidence-based healthy food policies.
In February 2024, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY) organized "Caribbean Youth Voices in Health Advocacy Spaces – Healthy Food Policy Action,” in partnership with the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN), the Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ), The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), and UNICEF Jamaica. This three-day health policy-focused youth meeting added momentum to the efforts aimed at empowering the region's youth to advocate for the implementation of Healthy Food Policies, including octagonal front-of-package nutrition warning labeling and restricting the availability and marketing of unhealthy products in school settings. Over 50 young people attended this event.
“A safe school environment for our children includes safer food options.” - Dr. Kedhma Dorh, President St Lucia Diabetes and Hypertension Association
"We are pleased to know that there is a draft school nutrition policy in St Lucia currently being considered. Healthy food environments in schools are critical because of their direct impact on students' well-being, academic performance, and the foundation they lay for lifelong healthy habits." - Yasmine Polius, Youth Advocate.
In just one year, policymakers across CARICOM will join their international counterparts to discuss the progress made in implementing evidence-based health policies, such as regulations on the sale and marketing of ultra-processed food at the Fourth High-level Meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of NCDs. This is a crucial time for our leaders to step up and lead. As we work towards shaping a healthier Caribbean, the youth are eager to continue their advocacy for the implementation and strengthening of evidence-based healthy food policies and ultimately closely with policymakers to inform the NCD prevention and control agenda.
Local Contacts:
Dr Kedhma Dorh
President
Miss Yasmine Polius
Youth Advocate
yasminepolius37@gmail.com
