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Bird Rock, St Kitts, St Kitts and Nevis, West Indies

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Author: admin
BabyFriendHospitalArticle
News
March 20, 2023

JNF becomes certified as a Baby-Friendly Hospital: A Step towards Better Health and Wellbeing

The Joseph N France Hospital, in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming certified as a baby-friendly hospital as part of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). This certification is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services to mothers and newborns.

The BFHI is a global program launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1991. The initiative aims to promote and support breastfeeding as the best way to feed newborns and infants. The program recognizes hospitals and birthing centres that implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding include guidelines for staff education and training, the promotion of breastfeeding as the best way to feed infants, and providing support to breastfeeding mothers. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is a set of guidelines aimed at regulating the marketing of breast milk substitutes, such as infant formula, to ensure that mothers are not discouraged from breastfeeding.

By becoming a certified baby-friendly hospital, the Joseph N France Hospital has committed to implementing these guidelines and supporting mothers in their breastfeeding journey. This will have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of babies and their mothers.

Breastfeeding has been shown to have numerous health benefits for both the baby and the mother. For babies, breastfeeding provides essential nutrients and antibodies that protect them against infections and diseases. Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), childhood obesity, and certain types of cancer. It also promotes bonding between mother and baby and can have a positive impact on the baby’s cognitive development.

For mothers, breastfeeding can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer and help to regulate their menstrual cycle. It also promotes bonding between mother and baby and can help to reduce the risk of postpartum depression.

By promoting and supporting breastfeeding, the Joseph N France Hospital is helping to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in St. Kitts and Nevis. NCDs, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, are significant health concerns in the Caribbean region. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of NCDs in both the mother and the baby.

In addition to the health benefits, becoming a certified baby-friendly hospital will also have a positive impact on the hospital’s reputation and patient satisfaction. Mothers who receive support and guidance on breastfeeding are more likely to feel satisfied with their hospital experience and are more likely to recommend the hospital to others.

In conclusion, the Joseph N France Hospital’s certification as a baby-friendly hospital is a significant achievement that will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies in St. Kitts and Nevis. By promoting and supporting breastfeeding, the hospital is helping to tackle NCDs and improve patient satisfaction. This achievement should be celebrated and serves as an inspiration for other hospitals and healthcare facilities in the region to follow suit.



By admin
DeseryCareer
BlogEmpowHer
March 18, 2023

Unlocking Career Potential for Women Living with NCDs

Women living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) often face unique challenges in achieving their career goals due to their health conditions. 

Their health condition can have a significant impact on their daily life and it can thus be challenging to maintain a fulfilling and successful career whilst managing an NCD and balancing the many roles that women play in society. Providing career development training and guidance can help women living with NCDs overcome these challenges and achieve their career goals. 

Overview of our Workshop

Our “Unlock Your Career Potential” workshop, was held on March 11, 2023, and was facilitated by Desery Ottley -Tyson,  the Assistant Human Resources Director at the Four Seasons hotel in Nevis. The workshop aimed to provide women with career development training and guidance to overcome the barriers they face while striving for career success.

The workshop covered six keys to unlocking career potential, including self-confidence, discipline, optimism, branding oneself, resilience, and good communication skills. Additionally, guidance on salary negotiations was provided.

All participants were very satisfied with the workshop. Participants found the workshop to be “phenomenal”, “informative”, and “an eye-opener”. They also appreciated the tips provided for unlocking their career potential, particularly with regard to building self-confidence. Furthermore, participants stated that they felt more empowered to take action in their career development and appreciated the different perspectives, ideas, and ways to deal with the situations discussed during the workshop. They also found the affirmations to be useful.

All participants stated that they were very likely to use the information provided in the workshop. They explained that they plan to use the skills they learnt to expand their expertise and for professional and career development. Participants also stated that they felt more confident about achieving their career goals as a result of the workshop.

In conclusion, our feedback evaluation reveals that the workshop was well-received by participants, who found it to be informative, useful, and confidence-building.

The feedback also highlights the importance of providing career development training and guidance for women living with NCDs. By empowering women with the skills and confidence needed to achieve their career goals, we can help them overcome some of the challenges associated with living with an NCD.

By admin
YouAreSweetEnoughImage
BlogFront-of-Pack Labelling BlogHealth PolicyNon-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)SSB TaxYou're Sweet Enough
March 16, 2023

Launch of Health Policy Video Series: Addressing the benefits of health levies on St. Kitts – Nevis

To move its You’re Sweet Enough advocacy work into policy, Lake Health and Wellbeing is gearing up to launch an educational video series on health policy change. 

The four-part series will be launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and medical professionals to increase awareness of the importance and benefits of health policies that the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis can implement to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

Why Health Policy?

It’s no secret that there is an increase in alarming statistics about rising obesity rates and NCDs worldwide. In response to these growing public health concerns, many countries are considering introducing health policies aimed at reducing the public’s exposure to NCD risk factors.

Popular health policies include taxes on unhealthy commodities like sugar- sweetened beverages, tobacco and alcohol. Policies around front-of-package food labeling are also championed to easily indicate to consumers which food products contain unhealthy substances like trans fats and are high in sugar, salt (sodium) and saturated fat.

These implemented measures have reduced the consumption of unhealthy products and the policy of taxation also generates revenue that can be reinvested into prevention programs for NCDs, such as physical activity initiatives or education about healthy eating habits.

A growing number of Caribbean countries are now monitoring these benefits. Countries in the region such as Bermuda, Grenada, Barbados, and Mexico are leading successful case studies of these health policies.

Roll Out of the Reel Series

By working collaboratively with health leaders and the advocacy community, Lake Health and Wellbeing hopes to address local concerns around the effectiveness of policy change and prompt government leaders to drive action toward health policy education, research, and implementation. This series is expected to complement the government’s action plan for preventing non-communicable diseases (NCD) in St. Kitts and Nevis.

The health policy series will focus on Sugar and sweetened beverage taxes and explore four key themes through 60-second reels: 

  • An overview of health policies with a focus on sugar-sweetened beverage taxation
  • The reasons for the implementation of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation on St. Kitts-Nevis.
  • The benefits of implementing a sugar-sweetened beverage tax.
  • Additional policies that can prompt health/lifestyle habits such as front-of-package warning labels and a school nutrition policy

The educational reels can be viewed on Instagram and Facebook beginning March 20, 2023. New reels will be rolled out on April 3, 17, and May 1.

By admin
VeraWeb
BlogEmpowHer
March 12, 2023

NCD Self-Management in the Workplace

The EmpowHer series’ third workshop on “Thriving in the Workplace Through NCD Self-Management” was held on Wednesday, 8th March 2023, at the Conference Room of St Kitts Cooperative Credit Union. The training aimed to equip women living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with the necessary skills to manage their chronic health conditions while in the workplace.

The facilitator for the workshop was Vera Edwards-France, a health educator from the Ministry of Health. The training focused on four important self-management techniques: problem-solving, decision-making, physical activity, and action planning. The participants’ feedback on the workshop was gathered to determine what they found most useful, any areas for improvement, the specific skills they learned and plan to use, and their overall confidence in managing their condition while working.

Participants who attended the workshop said they were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the workshop. In terms of what participants found most helpful, the responses varied. However, the decision-making process and steps to achieving personal success, as well as the information on physical activity, diet, and lifestyle changes, were highlighted. Some participants appreciated the discussion of issues with other participants and the use of humour during the workshop.

Almost all participants said they were ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to use the skills they learned from the workshop and the skills they plan to use varied, but most expressed an interest in making changes to their diet and lifestyle, implementing their action plan, and speaking with their boss about their health.

Participants stated they felt more confident or somewhat confident about managing their chronic health conditions in the workplace as a result of this workshop.

Additional feedback and suggestions included praise for Ms Edwards-France for her flexibility and allowing individuals to share and for her informative and enjoyable presentation skills. One participant expressed an interest in learning more about the chronic disease self-management programme, and another mentioned using the information for preventative care. Finally, a participant with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) found the information helpful and plans to use it for their journey’s success.

Overall, the Thriving in the Workplace Through NCD Self-Management workshop appears to have been helpful for participants, with the majority expressing high levels of satisfaction and the likelihood of using the skills learned. The information provided was found to be appropriate and informative, and the facilitator’s knowledge and presentation skills were praised.

The workshop’s importance cannot be overstated, especially for women living with NCDs who need to manage their condition while working. According to Stanford University, chronic disease self-management is an essential part of addressing the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases globally. Research has shown that people who take an active role in their care and learn self-management skills experience improved quality of life, fewer hospitalizations, and lower healthcare costs.

The workplace can be a challenging environment for individuals living with NCDs. They may experience fatigue, pain, and other symptoms that can affect their productivity and ability to work. By equipping women with self-management skills, they can take an active role in managing their condition, make informed decisions and advocate for their needs in the workplace. This can lead to improved health outcomes and overall well-being.

Additionally, providing support for individuals living with NCDs can have a positive impact on the workplace as a whole. Employers who provide accommodations and support for their employees with NCDs can see increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, and improved employee morale. This, in turn, can lead to a more positive and inclusive workplace culture.

It is essential that we continue to prioritize and invest in programs that provide education and support for individuals living with NCDs, particularly women who may face unique challenges in the workplace. By doing so, we can promote health equity and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential both in their personal and professional lives.

By admin
InternationalWomensDayWeb
BlogEmpowHerHealth PolicyNon-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)Women's Health
March 9, 2023

The Need for Gender-Sensitive Health Policies

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women and acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to promote gender equality. One area where gender disparities persist is in women’s health, particularly when it comes to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

NCDs are responsible for more than two-thirds of all deaths worldwide, and in St Kitts and Nevis, they account for over 80% of deaths and illnesses. Women in the Federation are disproportionately affected by some NCDs, such as diabetes and cancer, and are also at risk of developing chronic reproductive illnesses such as fibroids, endometriosis and PCOS.

Women’s exposure to stress, which is often linked to the many roles they fill in society, can increase their risk of developing an NCD. Cultural barriers, gender stereotypes, and discrimination can also contribute to poor health outcomes for women.

To address these disparities, gender-sensitive health policies are necessary. These policies must be informed by research and take into account the unique needs and experiences of women. They should also focus on reducing disparities in health outcomes between different groups of women, such as those based on age and income.

Gender-sensitive health policies must prioritize access to essential health services and address the social and economic factors that contribute to poor health outcomes. This includes ensuring access to maternal and reproductive health services, mental health services, and services for NCDs.

International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards improving women’s health and renew our commitment to advancing gender equity. It is a reminder that women’s health is a human rights issue, and that everyone has a role to play in promoting gender equality and empowering women to take control of their health.

Let’s work together to create gender-sensitive health policies that are grounded in the principles of equity and inclusion, and prioritize women’s health in our personal and professional lives. By making healthy lifestyle choices, advocating for policies that promote women’s health, and supporting organizations that work towards improving women’s health outcomes, we can create a world where all women have access to the care they need to thrive.

By admin
SaltAwarenessWeek
BlogDiet
March 7, 2023

Salt Awareness Week

Salt Awareness Week is an annual event held every March to raise awareness about the dangers of consuming too much salt and the importance of reducing our salt intake. This year, Salt Awareness Week takes place from March 4th to March 11th.

Excessive salt consumption is a significant public health issue that is linked to a range of health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. These non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing concern in many countries worldwide, including St. Kitts and Nevis.

The World Health Organization recommends that adults should consume no more than 5 grams (about one teaspoon) of salt per day. However, the average person consumes much more than this amount, often without realizing it. Many processed and packaged foods, as well as restaurant meals, contain high amounts of salt.

Reducing salt intake is crucial to maintaining good health and preventing NCDs. Here are some useful tips to help you reduce your salt consumption:

  1. Read food labels: Check the labels of packaged foods to find out how much salt they contain. Choose lower-salt options when possible.
  2. Cook from scratch: Cooking from scratch allows you to control the amount of salt you add to your meals. Try using herbs, spices, and citrus juice instead of salt to add flavour to your dishes.
  3. Limit processed and packaged foods: Processed and packaged foods tend to be high in salt. Try to limit your consumption of these foods, and choose fresh, whole foods instead.
  4. Eat more fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in salt and high in nutrients. Aim to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
  5. Use salt substitutes: Salt substitutes such as potassium chloride can be used in place of salt to reduce your sodium intake. However, if you have kidney problems or are taking certain medications, talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes.

In addition to these tips, it’s essential to be aware of the salt content of restaurant meals. Many restaurant dishes, especially fast food, are high in salt. If you eat out frequently, try to choose lower-salt options, or ask for your food to be prepared without added salt.

During Salt Awareness Week, we’re reminded of the importance of reducing our salt intake to maintain good health and prevent NCDs. By making small changes to our diet and lifestyle, we can reduce our risk of developing these conditions and live healthier, happier lives.

By admin
Dr Tamu Browne_Flyer (web)
BlogEmpowHer
March 5, 2023

Business Idea to Implementation

Empowering women living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a vital aspect of promoting health equity and addressing the growing burden of NCDs. In keeping with this, the EmpowHer project organised a workshop titled “Entrepreneurship 101: Business Idea to Implementation,” aimed at equipping women living with NCDs with the skills and knowledge needed to start their own businesses. The workshop was facilitated by Dr Tamu Browne, the founder of Coaching by Tamu and an expert in women’s entrepreneurship. In this blog post, we will explore why women with NCDs need to have good entrepreneurial skills and the key takeaways from the workshop.

Women living with NCDs face many challenges, including the need for regular medical care, managing symptoms, and balancing work and family responsibilities. However, entrepreneurship can be an empowering way for women with NCDs to take control of their lives and achieve financial independence. Developing NCD-friendly businesses that fit their personal circumstances is an excellent way for these women to create sustainable income streams that can help them manage their health conditions more effectively. This approach is important because it recognises that women with NCDs have unique needs and challenges that must be taken into consideration when developing a business plan. For example, a woman with mobility issues may need a business that allows her to work from home, while a woman with dietary restrictions may want to focus on creating healthy meal delivery services to address the challenges that she has identified through her own experience.

During the workshop, Dr Tamu Browne emphasised the importance of identifying a business idea that aligns with one’s passion, skills, and experience. She highlighted the need for entrepreneurs to have a clear understanding of their target market and the competitive landscape in which they will operate. Participants were also encouraged to identify potential challenges and develop strategies to overcome them.

One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the importance of leveraging technology to ensure their businesses stand out and also to improve their business processes. As such, participants also learned about the various tools available to entrepreneurs to improve payment processes and streamline their contact with their customers.

The feedback report from the workshop was overwhelmingly positive, with participants being very satisfied with the workshop and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to learn from Dr Browne’s expertise. One participant wrote, “Awesome job, Dr Tamu. You are inspiring” Another participant praised the workshop’s  intimate setting and the full explanations given on each of the topics whilst another said the workshop was “Excellent!”

Participants were enthusiastic about the skills they had learnt and expressed their intention to use them. They felt confident in using the information they had acquired to develop their own businesses. They said they found all the information provided to be useful and that they will be using it to formulate their ideas and put their plans into action. Participants also appreciated the guidance on identifying their target audience and they felt that they now had the tools necessary to properly evaluate their ideas and determine the feasibility of their businesses. Overall, the participants left the workshop feeling inspired and equipped to take on the challenge of entrepreneurship with confidence.

In conclusion, the “Entrepreneurship 101: Business Idea to Implementation” workshop was a resounding success. The workshop’s focus on developing NCD-friendly businesses that fit participants’ personal circumstances was particularly impactful, as it highlighted the importance of empowering women living with NCDs to take control of their lives and achieve financial independence.

Dr Tamu Browne’s expertise in women’s entrepreneurship was invaluable, and the feedback from participants indicates that they left the workshop feeling more confident and motivated to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Our next workshop on Thriving in the Workshop Through NCD Self-Management, led by Ms Vera Edwards-France, is coming up on 1st March at 5:30 pm and we encourage all interested women to register and join us

By admin
WorldObesityDay(Web)
BlogObesity
March 4, 2023

The Role of Healthy Food Policies in Addressing Obesity: A World Obesity Day Reflection

World Obesity Day is an annual event, held on 4th March, that aims to raise awareness of the growing epidemic of obesity worldwide. This year’s theme is “Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk About Obesity.” It’s an opportunity to shift the conversation about obesity from one of blame and shame to one of understanding and action.

Obesity is a complex issue with multiple causes, including genetics, environment, and behaviour. It’s a major risk factor for developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. These diseases are a significant public health challenge in St Kitts and Nevis where over 80% of deaths and illnesses are due to these conditions.

By talking about obesity, we can inspire the change needed across society to tackle obesity and NCDs. It’s time to move beyond stigmatising individuals for their weight and instead focus on creating environments that support healthy choices. One essential way to do this is for policymakers to introduce national action plans for addressing obesity that include evidence-based healthy food policies.

One such policy is the introduction of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax. Sugary drinks are a major contributor to obesity and NCDs, and a tax on these drinks has been shown to reduce consumption. The revenue from the tax can also be used to fund health initiatives or to subsidize healthy foods, making them more accessible to everyone.

Another policy is front-of-package warning labels. These labels provide clear and easy-to-understand information about the nutritional value of a food or drink product. They are effective in helping consumers make healthier choices and avoiding products that are high in sugar, salt, and fat.

A national school nutrition policy is also crucial. Schools are an essential setting for promoting healthy eating habits, and a national policy can ensure that all schools provide healthy food options for students. This policy can include guidelines for the nutritional content of meals, as well as standards for the marketing and promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks in and around schools.

By changing our perspectives and focusing on creating environments that support healthy choices, we can tackle obesity and NCDs. It’s time for policymakers to take action and introduce evidence-based healthy food policies like those listed above.

In conclusion, World Obesity Day creates the perfect opportunity to shift the conversation about obesity from one of blame and shame to one of understanding and action. It’s time to move beyond stigmatising individuals for their weight and instead focus on creating environments that support healthy choices. By introducing evidence-based healthy food policies like a sugar-sweetened beverage tax, front-of-package warning labels, a national school nutrition policy and restricting the sale and marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks in and around schools, we can create a healthier, happier society for ourselves and future generations.

By admin
MakingSmartMoneyMovesFlyer
BlogEmpowHer
February 26, 2023

Making SMART Money Moves

The EmpowHer workshop series kicked off on the 25th of February with the first workshop titled “Making Smart Money Moves”. The event, which aimed to improve the financial literacy and wellbeing of women living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), was a great success. Participants gained valuable insight into personal finance and money management.

It is essential to recognise the importance of financial wellbeing and literacy, especially for women living with NCDs. Women are often disproportionately affected by NCDs and may face additional financial challenges related to their health conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage their finances effectively. Without adequate financial literacy, women living with NCDs may find it difficult to access appropriate health care or afford the necessary medications and treatments. By improving financial literacy, we can empower women living with NCDs to take control of their health and their financial future.

The Making Smart Money Moves workshop was led by financial expert Sharifa Browne, the Finance Director at the St Kitts Marriott Vacation Club. Through our evaluation of the workshop, participants stated that Ms Browne was very knowledgeable and interactive. They appreciated the format of the workshop which provided ample time for discussion and found all aspects of the workshop to be very useful. Participants stated that the discussions during the session were especially valuable, as participants could ask questions and share their own experiences.

The feedback received from participants demonstrated the success of the workshop. All attendees said they were very satisfied with the event and felt more confident about managing their finances. They found the information presented to be enlightening and educational, and they appreciated the workbook that was provided at the end of the session to assist them with generating their own budget and managing their finances. Additionally, participants said they were ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to use the skills they learned from the workshop, indicating that the workshop will have a lasting impact.

The specific skills participants were most likely to use included budgeting and personal budget planning, managing debt and consolidation, and revising their budget. Participants also found the information on insurance and paying down debt to be particularly helpful.

Overall, the Making Smart Money Moves workshop was an excellent start to the EmpowHer workshop series. The feedback received from participants indicates that the event was successful in achieving its objectives of improving financial literacy and wellbeing among women living with NCDs. 

The next workshop in the series, “Entrepreneurship 101: Business Idea to Implementation,” will be held on March 1st and be led by Dr Tamu Browne. We look forward to another engaging and informative event that will empower women living with NCDs to take control of their financial futures.

By admin
Banner1 (web)
BlogEmpowHerWomen's Health
February 17, 2023

The Launch of EmpowHer

We are thrilled to announce the successful launch of our EmpowHer project, which aims to empower women living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in St. Kitts and Nevis.

The launch event, which took place on Monday 13th February, was a great success and featured a number of inspiring speakers who shared their insights and expertise on gender and NCDs.

The event started with a beautiful opening prayer by Novelia Rawlins-Nwosu, Coordinator of the Chronic Metabolic Disease Programme at the Ministry of Health. This was followed by an introduction by Abi Begho, Programme Director at Lake Health and Wellbeing, who gave an overview of the project and its goals.

His Excellency Michael Chau-Hong Lin, Resident Ambassador for the Republic of China Taiwan, also delivered a speech, expressing his country’s support for the project and its commitment to improving the lives of women living with NCDs.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs, Ms Azilla Clarke, also spoke at the event. Her remarks highlighted the important role that women play in society and the need to address the specific challenges that women living with NCDs face.

Dr Marissa Carty, NCD Programme Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, delivered an informative and inspiring talk on NCDs and women in St. Kitts and Nevis. Terysia Herbert-Browne, Project Officer at Lake Health and Wellbeing, also gave a detailed presentation on the EmpowHer project, its objectives, and its expected outcomes.

The event was brought to a close by Andrew Tseng Kuo, Project Manager for the Women’s Employment, Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion Project  (WEEFIP) project, who emphasized the important role that the project will play in empowering women and supporting them in their efforts to overcome the challenges they face.

We are excited about this project and its potential to make a real difference in the lives of women living with NCDs in St. Kitts and Nevis. We believe that by focusing on women who are living with these conditions, we can help to improve their quality of life and promote positive health outcomes.

If you missed the launch event, you can access the full recording on YouTube below.

There is also a short 4-minute summary video of the launch that you can view below.

If you would like to register for the EmpowHer workshops or find out more about the project, please email us at events@lakehealthandwellbeing.com. We would be delighted to hear from you and to share more about this important initiative.

By admin