World Cancer Day is fast approaching, and there are many activities planned for the day. This is the second year that will fall under the 3 year “We can, I can” World Cancer Day campaign.
Use the links to go to each page for further details and information.
Download the full brochure with information here with images to use for social media.
There are multiple activities planned for the day:
This article originally appeared on BizhubCommunity.com written by Sharon Snell
Sugar wars: Coke faces first salvo in US false advertising lawsuit
Coca-Cola’s claims that their sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are not linked to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease will be tested in a lawsuit, which could turn the whole tide on the so-called sugar wars.
Multi-billion dollar adspend
According to its 2015 annual report, Coca- Cola’s turnover was $44,294bn. They spend $3,9bn on advertising and $6,8bn on marketing that year.
In the lawsuit, advocacy group, The Praxis Project, alleges Coke deceives consumers about the health impact of their products.
It claims that the soft drink manufacturer does so independently, and also with the assistance of and through statements made by the American Beverage Association (ABA), a trade organisation which Coca-Cola funds and materially directs.
The NGO says Coke and ABA have engaged in a pattern of deception for years, aimed at misleading and confusing the public (and governmental entities that bear responsibility for the public health) about the scientific consensus that SSBs are linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
The lawsuit also claims that the company engaged in a pattern of deception to mislead regarding its advertising to children despite the company’s Responsible Marketing Policy, which makes the commitment not to advertise directly to children under 12.
It has also provided a plethora of examples where Coke and their executives had knowingly shifted the responsibility for the obesity and diabetes epidemics away from SSBs to a lack of physical activity.
What Praxis wants
Praxis seeks permanent injunctive relief, requiring Coca-Cola to:
cease all deceptive advertising and promotions that imply in any manner that sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is not linked to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and conversely is healthy;
cease all advertising that reaches children under the age of 12 in significant numbers;
fund a public education campaign to inform consumers about the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular; and
disclose publicly their files on the potential health implications of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages.
Global assault on sugar
Praxis quotes the American Heart Association recommendations that a daily maximum of six teaspoons of added sugar for adult women and children, and nine teaspoons for men. In comparison, a 16-ounce bottle of Coke, has 12 teaspoons of sugar, a 15-ounce bottle of its Minute Maid cranberry grape juice beverage has approximately 13 teaspoons of added sugar, while a 20-ounce bottle of the company’s vitaminwater has eight teaspoons.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity has made a call to governments to implement a 20% effective tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Providing the key note address at the National Academy of Medicine, director-general of the WHO, Dr Margaret Chan said:
‘’When crafting preventive strategies, government officials must recognise that the widespread occurrence of obesity and diabetes throughout a population is not a failure of individual willpower to resist fats and sweets or exercise more. It is a failure of political will to take on powerful economic operators, like the food and soda industries. If governments understand this duty, the fight against obesity and diabetes can be won. The interests of the public must be prioritised over those of corporations.’’
Impact in South Africa
Given its growing levels of lifestyle conditions such as obesity and diabetes, South Africa is one of the countries that has heeded the WHO’s call through implementing a tax on SSBs (planned start date of 1 April 2017), a move that the local beverage industry has being staunchly opposing, largely through its industry association, Beverages Association of South Africa (BevSA).
If the lawsuit is successful in the US, it could have an interesting trickle-down effect on other parts of the world, including South Africa.
Coke foresaw risk
It would appear that Coke has foreseen the imposition of a levy on its products, and even legal action. Among the key risks to the sustainability of the business 2015 Annual Report, Coca-Cola listed that obesity concerns may reduce demand for some of their products due to:
new or increased taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages by government entities to reduce consumption or to raise revenue;
additional governmental regulations concerning the marketing, labelling, packaging or sale of their sugar-sweetened beverages; and
negative publicity resulting from actual or threatened legal actions against them or other companies in their industry relating to the marketing, labelling or sale of sugar-sweetened beverages may reduce demand for or increase the cost of their sugar-sweetened beverages, which could adversely affect their profitability.
The lawsuit, which was launched on 4 January 2017, is being brought under California’s unfair competition law and false advertising law to stop Coca-Cola and the ABA from conducting false and misleading marketing of their sugar-sweetened beverages. If successful, it would have a significant impact on Coke’s business and opens the floodgates to product liability claims.
The SA NCD Alliance holds no rights to this article its content and facts. The rights and words belong to the original author and website.
Article Written by Megan Hunter of Rare Diseases South Africa.
During the first week of December, Rare Diseases SA’s CEO, Kelly du Plessis, travelled to Mauritius for the Africa Leadership Awards. These awards are all about achievers, super achievers, & future business leaders; & they attract the best from all over Africa. This event highlights, recognises, & rewards their abilities to steer their businesses through turbulent times; as well as applying the best of business modules to manage & keep their businesses afloat.
There are over 20 categories that recognise the achievements made by selected leaders throughout Africa, & honour their great contribution towards the country’s economic development. All of these leaders are mentioned for their impeccable leadership qualities which helping grow our nation.
Kelly was nominated for the “African Leadership Award for Healthcare” & on the 07/12/2016 she was presented with this award for all her hard work & dedication with Rare Diseases South Africa. There were many other companies & individuals who were nominated in this category, but due to Kelly’s non-stop commitment & patient advocacy, she was deservingly awarded this prize.
All credit goes to the original author.
The SANCD Alliance would like to extend its warmest congratulations on this award to Kelly in the field of Healthcare. Further more to Rare Diseases South Africa on the accolade. This is a fantastic way to end the 2016 year.
Prostate cancer accounts for nearly a quarter of all cancers in black men. Find out how to protect yourself and the ones you love.
Prostate cancer is the leading cancer among black men in the United States, Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa, according to a 2013 study in the journal Prostate Cancer.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland found between the pubic bone and the rectum. It forms part of the male reproductive system and produces semen that transports sperm out of the man’s body during ejaculation, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation in South Africa.
In its early stages, the cancer can be asymptomatic, but as it progresses, prostate cancer can make urinating and ejaculating painful.
The condition can be particularly aggressive in black men, says the United States research organisation Mayo Clinic. Researchers have not established whether the reason for the high rate of the condition among black men is because of lifestyle, genes, or a combination of both, according to Melvyn Freeman, the health department’s head of noncommunicable diseases.
But you can help decrease your risk of developing the condition by following these five tips.
Please note that this is an original article from Bhekisisa written by INA SKOSANA
The second Global NCD Alliance Forum, the most important event convening civil society organisations working on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide, will take place in one year, from 9 to 11 December 2017 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). (link calendar event)
The Forum will be held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, and Founder and Patron of Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), and co-hosted by the NCD Alliance and FoCP.
It will bring together NCD civil society representatives from across the world, particularly national and regional NCD alliances, and will build links with multilateral organisations, international NGOs, government representatives and NCD experts.
The NCD Alliance is has a new video shown below to mark the one year countdown. (linked in image below), launched to mark the start of the 1-year countdown until the second Forum. In this video, some of the delegates attending the 2015 Global NCD Alliance Forum answered: “What inspires you to be an NCD advocate?”.
The NCD Alliance is inviting you share the video through your channels and social media, and then tell them via social media: “What inspires YOU to be an NCD advocate?” Click here to finish this sentence on Twitter: I am an #NCDAdvocate because: …
Please show your support for this years initiative and get the conversation started on Twitter and Facebook
