On September 2-3rd, 2015, the President of the HCC attended the Final Meeting of Phase 2 of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of the WHO/PAHO initiative for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention through Population-wide Dietary Salt Reduction (2012-2015). At the meeting a report marking the completion of Phase 2 and of the mandate that led it was discussed with emphasis on achievements of the group, country achievements, advances and activities in salt/sodium reduction and recommendations made for going forward.
It was noted that over the past 6 years salt/sodium related activities in countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have increased from 3 countries to 20 countries. There have been advances in advocacy and communication; surveillance; engagement of the food industry; synchronization of salt/sodium reduction and salt fortification programs.
The Technical Advisory Group recommended that in the next phase of the Technical Advisory Group (Phase 3) efforts should continue to be oriented to countries of the Region across the spectrum of action, to mobilize those not yet started and support those active to reach full capacity with all the components of a comprehensive response to the overconsumption of salt/sodium. The group identified additional priorities going forward including: PAHO establish a new group of advisors (TAG phase 3); PAHO, assisted by the advisors, should undertake a survey of countries in the Region to understand barriers and facilitators to progress and country needs; and the Technical Advisory Group, Phase 3 should develop an Action Plan for the period 2016-2018 (Phase 3) reflecting the recommendations of Technical Advisory Group Phase2, complete with estimates of resource requirements.
The HCC has been invited to be a member of the Technical Advisory Group, Phase 3, as the Caribbean regional civil society alliance for prevention and control of NCDs; with the President of the HCC as its representative. This is a high priority area for the HCC noted Sir Trevor Hassell, President: “…population salt reduction is one of significant public health importance and one that provides excellent return on investment through reduction of prevalence of major NCDs and associated complications.” (HCC news)
