St Kitts and Nevis – February 26, 2024 – Fiona Zhang and Genesia Pemberton, Youth Health Advocates at Lake Health and Wellbeing, are proud to announce the launch of their “Healthy Start Healthy Heart” campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the critical need for policies that create a healthy food environment for young people, enabling them to make informed and healthy choices from an early age.
The “Healthy Start Healthy Heart” campaign focuses on advocating for three evidence-based policies recommended by global health agencies like the World Health Organization. These policies, including sugar-sweetened beverage taxation, front-of-package warning labels, and a comprehensive school nutrition policy, have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Sugar-sweetened beverage taxation aims to reduce the consumption of unhealthy beverages, thereby lowering the risk of obesity and related NCDs whilst raising much-needed revenue that can be channelled into public health initiatives. Front-of-package warning labels provide consumers with clear information about the nutritional content of food products, empowering them to make healthier choices. Additionally, a school nutrition policy ensures that children have access to nutritious meals, laying the foundation for lifelong health and wellbeing.
Speaking about the campaign, Genesia Pemberton emphasised, “Our goal is to advocate for policies that prioritize the health of young people and provide them with a healthy start in life. By implementing these policies, we can create environments that support healthy choices and ultimately reduce the burden of NCDs in our community.”
Fiona Zhang added, “It’s essential to involve young people in health advocacy efforts, as the decisions made and policies implemented today, will directly impact the future we inherit. Through our campaign, we aim to amplify the voices of youth and call upon governments to prioritize the health and wellbeing of future generations.”
Managed by Lake Health and Wellbeing’s Advocacy and Research Officer, Michele Baker, Fiona and Genesia have spearheaded the “Healthy Start Healthy Heart” campaign, which includes impactful videos, an audio clip, and a poster highlighting the importance of healthy food policies.
“Involving young advocates like Fiona and Genesia enriches the policymaking process and ensures that the health needs of future generations are addressed. Youth must not only be made aware of policies after the fact; instead, policies affecting youth must be informed by youth from the beginning to implementation” stated Lake Health and Wellbeing’s Advocacy and Research Officer, Michele Baker. “Their dedication and passion for creating a healthier future are truly commendable.”
The “Healthy Start Healthy Heart” campaign underscores the urgent need for concerted action to address NCDs and prioritize the health of young people. By advocating for evidence-based policies, Fiona Zhang and Genesia Pemberton are leading the charge towards a healthier and more sustainable future for St Kitts and Nevis.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact info@lakehealthandwellbeing.com .
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