The Dangers of Sweetened Beverages in the African Diaspora
Seminar on the potentially deadly impact of sweet drinks in the African diaspora, plus solutions and advice on diabetes, obesity and NCD’s
This event was organised by Black History Walks in conjunction with the Sarah Parker Remond Centre at University College London
“The scientific, medical, and public health communities all agree that the negative effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers are of great concern. The Ministry of Health recognizes this concern and is in the process of developing a sugar-sweetened beverage policy that will include interventions to reduce the consumption of SSBs in the Federation. Meanwhile, we are encouraging the general public to ‘Rethink Your Drink’ by paying close attention to the sugar content in the drinks you consume by actively reading the nutrition labels and drinking more water.”
Dr Marissa Carty, Non Communicable Diseases Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, St Kitts-Nevis
Across the Caribbean there are major problems with non communicable diseases (NCDs) , obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer .These issues were highlighted by Professor Hilary Beckles in his 2013 speech on reparations which recently went viral and can be seen below. Similar health concerns can also be found throughout the African diaspora. From Barbados to the Bahamas various countries are taking radical steps to reduce the damage caused by sweet drinks and unhealthy but popular foods. There is often entrenched opposition from vested local interests and multi national corporations who practice different standards in Africa and the Caribbean than in Europe.
This talk feature speakers from Lake Health and Well Being cover the following
The challenge of Sweetened Beverages and its links to obesity and NCDs in the Caribbean
Barriers to progress: Industry interference
Solutions, campaigns and examples of success
Question and answer session and educational resources
Speakers include:
Francine Charles Programme Manager, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, Barbados
Abi Begho, Founder and Director of Lake Health and Well Being
Isalean Phillip, Advocacy & Research Officer, Lake Health & Wellbeing,
Rachel Morrison, Caribbean Country Coordinator, Global Health Advocacy Incubator
Look out for our new book Black History Walks in London Volume 1 from Jacaranda Books
Other coming events from Black History Walks www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk
Black History River Cruise
Fibroids and reproductive health: new research from the Caribbean
1968 Race Relations Act and the legacy of Black Lawyers
African Superheroes Day
Ultraviolence Black deaths in British police custody. Ken Fero
Coded Bias: Racism disguised in computer programming
The Gentrification of Peckham and Black Urban removal worldwide
The British Black Panther Movement interviews
19th Century Superheroine Sarah Parker Remond
About the Lake Foundation
Lake Health and Wellbeing is a registered NGO (Non Governmental Organisation) headquartered in St Kitts and Nevis that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the local, regional and online community through research, Public Health interventions, events, campaigns and by offering Public Health support services to small organisations.
About the Sarah Parker Remond Centre at U.C.L
The University College London Sarah Parker Remond Centre for the Study of Racism and Racialisation explores the impact of racism – scientific, metaphysical and cultural. Part of the UCL Institute of Advanced Studies, they work closely with many partners on-site to provide a focal point for scholarship, teaching and public engagement activities that are addressed to various problems of racial inequality and hierarchy.
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