316usman/thematic5b huggingface dataset:
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573079399.pdf (Antigua and Barbuda)
Mario Lubetkin Growing food insecurity calls for greater coordination By Mario Lubetkin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean According to the latest Global Report on Food Crises, in 2022, almost 258 million people in 58 countries faced the highest levels of acute food insecurity, which includes the categories of "Crisis", "Emergency", and "Catastrophe", meaning that it can range from malnutrition to the risk of death due to lack of food.
The number of acutely food-insecure people in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 17.8 million.

Haiti reports one of the most challenging situations, with 4.72 million people affected, representing 26% of the region's total.
This situation has led the affected regional population to take extreme measures, such as selling their animals, eating seeds knowing very well that they will have nothing to plant later, selling their homes, or begging for food, which turns into a spiral of vulnerability, particularly among the rural populations.

Currently, many people suffering food crises depend on agricultural livelihoods for survival.

This is most critical for rural women.


In a household with insufficient food, evidence indicates that women will be worse off than men.

There are also significant gaps in the food security of indigenous populations.

The food crisis or emergency reported in the region in 2022 is mainly due to several factors, such as the war in Ukraine, the social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of extreme weather events.
We must increase humanitarian efforts with populations that can no longer meet their minimum food needs.

But it is also essential to invest in agriculture and local food production, as this also contributes to humanitarian work in contexts of food crises.

Currently, only four percent of humanitarian assistance in countries in food crisis goes to agricultural and livelihood support.
We must provide humanitarian aid to protect agricultural livelihoods, act proactively on alerts anticipating the deterioration of an acute food insecurity situation before it becomes an extreme emergency, and ensure social protection for rural people, and increase economic and climate resilience.

Investing in agriculture and the resources that sustain it is strategic and cost- effective.
According to our studies, the benefits of investing in agriculture can be ten times greater than if investing only in food aid, and the effects can be prolonged over time.

Without successful recovery and sustainable development initiatives, there will be a perpetual need for urgent humanitarian action and an increased risk of deterioration into a chronic emergency.
We must achieve these results with more coordinated efforts by international organizations, governments, the private sector, regional organizations, civil society, and communities.
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573136558.pdf (Antigua and Barbuda)
C E L E B R A T I N G 1 2 0 Y E A R S O F P A H O Looking forward, leaving no one behind.
JANUARY 29 30 World Leprosy Day World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day MARCH MAY 4 15 World Cancer Day International Childhood Cancer Day FEBRUARY 3 4 8 9 4-11 22 24 World Birth Defects Day World Obesity Day International Women's Day World Kidney Day Salt Awareness Week World Water Day World Tuberculosis Day World Health Day 7 World Chagas Disease Day 14 23-29 Vaccination Week in the Americas 25 28 World Malaria Day World Day for Safety and Health at Work APRIL 5 8-14 12 15 17 21 21-30 28 31 World Hand Hygiene Day & International Day of the Midwife 7th UN Global Road Safety Week & Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week International Nurses Day International Day of Families World Hypertension Day World Breastfeeding Protection Day 76th World Health Assembly International Day of Action for Women’s Health World No Tobacco Day Caribbean Nutrition Day World Environment Day World Food Safety Day World Blood Donor Day World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 1 5 7 14 15 26-30 PAHO’s 172nd Session of the Executive Committee International Day Against Drug Abuse 26 JUNE JULY 25 28 World Drowning Prevention Day World Hepatitis Day SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER 1-7 9 12 19 World Breastfeeding Week International Day of the World's Indigenous People International Youth Day World Humanitarian Day AUGUST Childhood Cancer Awareness Month International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies Caribbean Wellness Day World Suicide Prevention Day 7 9 10 9-15 Wellness Week in the Americas 17 18-24 Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Week World Patient Safety Day 25-29 28 29 in Latin America PAHO’s 60th Directing Council/75th Session of the Regional Committee of WHO for the Americas World Rabies Day World Heart Day Breast Cancer Awareness Month OCTOBER International Day of the Elderly Inter-American Water Day World Mental Health Day International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction World Hospice and Palliative Care Day World Sight Day World Handwashing Day 1 7 10 13 14 14 15 16-22 Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Week in the Caribbean International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 22-28 World Polio Day 24 World Stroke Day 29 Malaria Day in the Americas Diabetes Day World Day of Prematurity 6 14 17 18-24 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 19 19 World Toilet Day World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25 DECEMBER 25 Nov – 10 Dec 16 Days of Action for the Elimination of Violence against Women 1 2 3 10 12 World AIDS Day 121st Anniversary of PAHO International Day of Persons with Disabilities Human Rights Day Universal Health Day 2023 www.paho.org •�525 23rd St. N.W.
Washington DC 20037 2023
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573223470.pdf (Australia)
MEDIA ALERT Issued: 2 May 2007 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Standing Committee on Health and Ageing Chair: Hon Alex Somlyay MP Deputy Chair: Steve Georganas MP Raising the Nation’s Breastfeeding Rates Public hearing on Monday 7 May Parliament House, Canberra At the upcoming public hearing the House Health Committee will examine research which indicates women could benefit from more breastfeeding education and support before and after child birth to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for six months as recommended by the World Health Organisation.
The Chair Alex Somlyay is a strong supporter of the health benefits of breastfeeding.

“We need to examine why breastfeeding rates drop significantly in the first few months and establish what can be done to increase these rates to ensure Australian children receive the best start to life they can possibly have.” Mr Somlyay commented.

The Women’s Electoral Lobby believes there is a workforce issue associated with these low rates.
Women are having to return to work after 3 months and are not in a position to continue breastfeeding.

The Women’s Electoral Lobby indicate greater support and flexibility is needed from employers.

The Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives will appear to discuss the importance of the role of the midwife and how their guidance can help women to persevere with breastfeeding.
The Australian College of Midwives highlight the flow on effects from low breastfeeding rates cost the health system millions every year.

Children who are not breastfed are at higher risk of developing eczema, diabetes, gastroenteritis, diabetes and lymphatic cancer.
The Committee will also hear from the Dietitians Association of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia who both believe they play a vital role in supporting breastfeeding in the community and educating women in best practice breastfeeding.

The Committee is very interested in strategies to better support breastfeeding mothers, and looks forward to hearing from experts in this field.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE Venue: Committee Room 1S3, Parliament House, Canberra 10.30 am Pharmaceutical Society of Australia 11.00 am Dieticians Association of Australia.

11.25 am The Australian College of Midwives 11.50 am 12.10pm Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives Women’s Electoral Lobby Australia Inc.
This hearing will be webcast live on 7 May on: http://webcast.aph.gov.au/livebroadcasting/ For media interview with the Chairman: Please contact Mr Somlyay’s office on (02) 6277 4727 or his electorate office (07) 5471 6611.
For further information on the inquiry: Contact the Committee secretariat on (02) 6277 4145 or email haa.reps@aph.gov.au or visit the website at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa/breastfeeding/index.htm Telephone: 02 6277 4145 Facsimile: 02 6277 4844 E-mail: Website: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa haa.reps@aph.gov.au PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573344768.pdf (Australia)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Standing Committee on Health and Ageing MEDIA ALERT Issued: 6 December 2006 Chair: Hon Alex Somlyay MP Deputy Chair: Steve Georganas MP Parliament launches new inquiry into breastfeeding Chairman of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing, Alex Somlyay, today announced a new parliamentary inquiry into the health benefits of breastfeeding.
Mr Somlyay said that the Committee will examine how the Australian government can take a lead role to improve the health of the population through support for breastfeeding.

“There is considerable evidence suggesting the health of the Australian population may be improved by increasing the rate of breastfeeding”, Mr Somlyay said.

“The committee will be looking at the potential effects on the long term sustainability of Australia’s health system”.
In 2001, approximately 54 per cent of babies were fully breastfed at 3 months of age or less, compared with around 32 per cent of infants by 6 months of age or less.

Rates of breastfeeding vary between different population groups.

“It is worth noting that there is anecdotal evidence that new mothers are not being closely supported or greatly encouraged to persist with breastfeeding”, Mr Somlyay said.
“The public perception is that breastfeeding is not necessarily accepted as the most desirable way of nourishing young babies or preventing long term health problems.” The Committee invites public submissions by 28 February 2007 on: How the Commonwealth government can take a lead role to improve the health of the Australian population through support for breastfeeding, with particular consideration to: • The extent of the health benefits of breastfeeding; • Evaluate the impact of marketing of breast milk substitutes on breastfeeding rates and, in particular, in disadvantaged, Indigenous and remote communities; • The potential short and long term impact on the health of Australians of increasing the rate of breastfeeding; • Initiatives to encourage breastfeeding; • Examine the effectiveness of current measures to promote breastfeeding; and • The impact of breastfeeding on the long term sustainability of Australia’s health system.
For media interview with the Chairman: Please contact the Committee Secretary on 02 6277 4145.

For a copy of the terms of reference and further information on making a submission: contact the Committee secretariat on (02) 6277 4145 or email haa.reps@aph.gov.au or visit the website at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa Telephone: 02 6277 4145 Facsimile: 02 6277 4844 E-mail: Website: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa haa.reps@aph.gov.au PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573466040.pdf (Australia)
Senator Xenophon asked: “Are there co-morbidity issues if there is substance abuse or alcohol abuse—can they be linked to increased levels of problem gambling?” : Research papers into the link between Gambling and substance abuse are listed on the National Drug Strategy website at 11.2.1 Gambling and substance abuse and 11.4 Major Clinical Issues with gambling and alcohol use: http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/ mono71-toc~mono71-11~mono71-11-2
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573559870.pdf (Australia)
Message Page 1 of 2 m " " 9 * .

s %" * - * ,-- Submission no.
88 AUTHORISED: J I/o#@~ /a This submission addresses in part the following points: a. the extent of the health benefits of breastfeeding; beevaluate the impact of marketing of breast milk substitutes on breastfeeding rates and, in particular, in disadvantaged, Indigenous and remote communities; c. the potential short and long term impact on the health of Australians of increasing the rate of breast feeding; d. initiatives to encourage breastfeeding; e. examine the effectiveness of current measures to promote breastfeeding; and f. the impact of breastfeeding on the long term sustainability of Australia's health system."
* Health professionals are barely educated about breastfeeding and lactation unless they choose to attend one of the seminars or conferences organised by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

The little information they do receive while studying may be out of date by the time they begin working with mothers.
* Fully breastfed babies rarely get many diseases such as rotavirus (the federal government wants to fund a vaccine for rotavirus that would be unnecessary if all children were breastfed) * Parents are bombarded with advertising about infant formula and toddler formulas by drug companies that barely pay lip service to the fact that breastfeeding is the natural way to feed babies and toddlers.

Toddler formulas are not necessary if children have a good diet, including breastfeeding.
Infant formulas should be available by prescription only when medically indicated.

Infant formula companies neglect to tell purchasers of the risks of not breastfeeding.

This should be printed on the packages in a similar way to the warnings on cigarette packets as the risks of not breastfeeding are similar in magnitude to the risks of smoking.
* Expectant parents have little access to currrent, research based information about breastfeeding unless they pay to attend a Breastfeeding Education Class run by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

These classes are run by unpaid VOLUNTEERS.


Message Page 2 of 2 * Many mothers give up breastfeeding due to lack of education, lack of incentive to persevere, the incorrect assumption (due to advertising) that infant formula is "just as good", lack of support from health professionals, pressure from family, friends and the community.

* Parents who subscribe to the Australian Breastfeeding Association breastfeed with more success and for longer than most other parents.
This is due to the information and support that they receive through the association.

Government should ensure that all new mothers have access to this information and support by spending $50 of their maternity payment on a subscription to ABA.
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573563572.pdf (Australia)
' Inquiry into breastfeeding Submission EO.

288 AUTHORISED: 17/4/07 I would like to submit to the inquiry my experiences of combining breastfeeding and work with my two children.

My daughter is now 7 and was breastfeed until she was 20 months old.

My son will be four in July and is still breastfeeding.

I would to like comment specifically on the need to provide encouragement and support to mothers who wish to, or may have to return to work while breastfeeding.
It is at this time many mothers feel they have no other choice but to stop breastfeeding and as many mothers are returning to work while their babies are quite young this is having a negative impact on breastfeeding rates and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

I was fortunate to have had a positive experience of combining work and breastfeeding with both my children.

I was able to take 12 months maternity leave with my first child and did not return to work until she was 11 months old.
I was able to go and breastfeed her during my lunchbreak and was able to negotiate part time work.

Things were a bit more challenging when I returned to work after the birth of my son as he was only seven months old.

I discovered that the department that I worked for had no policy on breastfeeding and work.

I needed to negotiate directly with my supervisor regarding lactation breaks and a suitable place to express.
Fortunately there was a separate office where I could express and kitchen facilities nearby.

I combined expressing milk for my son with visiting him at creche for a lunchtime breastfeed.

Slowly as he got closer to 12 months I no longer visited him during my lunch breaks and as he naturally reduced his number of breastfeeds my need to express at work eventually ended.

Without the cooperation and support of my supervisor I would not have been able to return to work when I did.
If I had not been able to negotiate a solution that had enabled me to continue breastfeeding I would not have returned to work at that time as I felt so strongly about the long term health benefits to my son and myself of breastfeeding.

I was lucky to be in a position where I felt comfortable to be able to negotiate an arrangement that enabled me to continue breastfeeding while working.

Not all mothers are fortunate to be in this position.
Initiatives such as the Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Accreditation program run by the Australian Breastfeeding Association need to be supported and promoted by government to ensure that mothers can successfully combine breastfeeding and work.

Many mothers do not know that it is possible to continue breastfeeding when they return to work and accurate information needs to be made available.

Rachael Dean 28 February 2007.
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573572469.pdf (Australia)
Page 1 of 1 Submission no.

278 AUTHORISED: 17/4/07 What Would Help Legislation to ensure ethical marketing of breastmilk substitutes, , bottles, teats and dummies, and ensuring no food is labeled suitable from 4 months Education of Health professionals.

Due to inadequate training and /or less than optimum breastfeeding experience, many health professionals hinder rather than help in enabling breastfeeding.
Many health professionals are not aware of the new growth charts showing appropriate growth rates for human babies, and are still using outdated, inaccurate charts based on formula fed babies.

These old charts promote obesity.We need for formula companies never to be involved in any way with training of HP's in infant feeding.
Governments and their bureaucracies who make legislation and administer the health system , as well as health professionals are susceptible to the forces of commercial lobbying, which has at its disposal millions of dollars for advertising and promotion, for their own benefit, not for the health and welfare of Australia's mothers babies.
As the experts in breastfeeding in Australia, the Australian Breastfeeding Assn, should have a major role to play in th government funded education of our health professionals.

Public Health Campaign This should be targeted at people other than mothers, to change attitudes which are disadvantageous to breastfeeding.
Damaging attitudes which are pervasive in Australia are : disapproval of frequent breastfeeding (which is essential for adequate infant nutrition);disapproval of breastfeeding in public (so that bottle feeding is most frequently seen; pressure to wean babies after a few months, despite WHO'S recommendation of at last 2 years breastfeeding.
The campaign should NOT talk of the benefits of breastfeeding , but of the importance of breastfeeding, and the risks of early weaning from the the breast Funding For Breastfeeding Support We need adequate funding for breastfeeding support (much more than the present $ 100000 for Aust Breastfeeding Assn's 2000 volunteer community heath workers .Resources should be put into enabling women to breastfeed, so that resources don't have to be put into treating illnesses caused by premature weaning.
Eg new rota virus vaccine, funded by govt, would be largely unnecessary, if most babies were exclusively breastfed for 6 months .The incidence of otis media with its ongoing effects on hearing and learning abilities would be greatly lessened with long term breastfeeding Maternity leave provisions rather than childcare should be a priority, and family friendly workplace practices need to be promoted.

16/03/2007
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573576286.pdf (Australia)
Submission no.

233 fl^ AUTHORISED: 4/4/07 Bronwyn Barber I wish to make a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Breastfeeding.

I am a mother of 4 breastfed children, now aged 21,19,16 and 11.1 breastfed my girls for over 8 years, and they are a wonderful example of the benefits of being breastfed.

They are all very healthy, intelligent and well adjusted young Australians.

All baby mammals feed on milk from their mother's mammary glands.
In the case of human babies the milk that they should be fed is breastmilk from their mother's breast.

This is the normal and correct way to nourish our babies.

We as a nation need to recognise and value the importance of "Human Milk for Human Babies" There are mountains of information of the health benefits of breastfeeding.
If breastfeeding has defined benefits then to feed a baby artificial breastmilk substitute is to put that baby at an unacceptable risk of poor health both as a baby and later in life.

In Australia we need to see breastfeeding as normal and natural and not as something that a mother may try if she feels like it.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) produced the "International Code for the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes" in 1981 The preamble to the International Code notes that, "breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; that it forms a unique biological and emotional basis for the health of both mother and child; that the anti-infective properties of breastmilk help to protect infants against disease; and that there is an important relationship between breastfeeding and child-spacing."
As a member of the WHO I urge the government to fully implement the "Code" and not just to the "MAIF" agreement, which I believe falls very short in fully protecting the health of all babies in Australia.

If we are serious about infant health then to continue to allow the importance of breastfeeding to be undermined by pharmaceutical and formula companies is wrong.
In Australia, we are very fortunate to have the Australian Breastfeeding Association who support and encourage women to breastfeed their children.

On the Association's website at www.breastfeedinq.com.au there is information which may assist you in your investigations.

I thank you for reading this and wish you well.
Bronwyn Barber The extent of the health benefits of breastfeeding; • particular, in disadvantaged, Indigenous and remote communities; Evaluate the impact of marketing of breast milk substitutes on breastfeeding rates and, in • of breastfeeding; • • • The potential short and long term impact on the health of Australians of increasing the rate Initiatives to encourage breastfeeding; Examine the effectiveness of current measures to promote breastfeeding; and The impact of breastfeeding on the long term sustainability of Australia's health system
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573619488.pdf (Bahamas)
Morbidity (Admissions) Trends for Princess Margaret Hospital and The Rand Memorial Hospital for Selected Conditions, with Number and Percent of Total Admissions, 1989-2004, 2007 Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions 1989 1997 PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH & Rand AIDS Malignant Neoplasms (Cancer) Heart Diseases 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 2.3 Injuries due to External Causes (Accidents, Violence, Poisonings, etc.)
Diabetes Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke) Pneumonia and Influenza Inpatient Morbidity Trends (Percent [%] of Total Admissions) of Selected Conditions Princess Margaret and Rand Memorial Hospitals 1989-2004, 2007 i s n o s s m d A i l a t o T f o ) % ( t n e c r e P 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 Heart Diseases AIDS Malignant Neoplasms (Cancer) Injuries due to External Causes (Accidents, Violence, Poisonings, etc.)
Diabetes Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke) Pneumonia and Influenza N.B.
2005-2006 information is not readily available.

Source: 1989-1995, Medical Records Department, PMH and Rand Hospitals; 1996-2004, 2007 Hospital Information System, Public Hospitals Authority Prepared By: Health Information and Research Unit, Ministry of Health 11/10
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694573635211.pdf (Belize)
PRESS RELEASE Members of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition (BPAHM) gathered this morning at the Marion Jones Conference Room in Belize City for a forum on Food and Nutrition Security for a Healthy Belize.
In his address to the gathering, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Honourable Patrick Faber, said his Ministry is planning to scale up school feeding in Belize as well as to ensuring that school children are fed one healthy meal a day.

The Minister of Agriculture, the Senator the Honourable Godwin Hulse, who is also a member of BPAHM, spoke about the importance and benefits of school gardens in Belize.
On the other hand, the representative of the Ministry of Health informed of the Ministry’s initiatives in the promotion of wellness and prevention of malnutrition in Belize.

The Coordinator for the Parliamentary Front against Hunger for the Caribbean, Honourable Hamlet Melo, shared with the Members of BPAHM the law on sovereignty and food and nutrition security for the Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, Mr. Byron Gonzalez from the Ministry of Education in Guatemala shared the experiences of the implementation of sustainable school feeding programmes in San Marcos, Guatemala.

The forum was also attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Laura Tucker Longsworth, who facilitated a discussion on the policies and legislation to advance and achieve the objectives of BPAHM for the development of its work plan and communication plan.

The Vice President of the Senate, Dr.


Senator the Honourable Carla Barnett, gave the closing remarks at the forum which was organized by the BPAHM Committee with assistance from international agencies such as FAO, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain.

BELMOPAN 8th November 2019.
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694819100866.pdf (Antigua and Barbuda)
Mario Lubetkin Growing food insecurity calls for greater coordination By Mario Lubetkin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean According to the latest Global Report on Food Crises, in 2022, almost 258 million people in 58 countries faced the highest levels of acute food insecurity, which includes the categories of "Crisis", "Emergency", and "Catastrophe", meaning that it can range from malnutrition to the risk of death due to lack of food.
The number of acutely food-insecure people in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 17.8 million.

Haiti reports one of the most challenging situations, with 4.72 million people affected, representing 26% of the region's total.
This situation has led the affected regional population to take extreme measures, such as selling their animals, eating seeds knowing very well that they will have nothing to plant later, selling their homes, or begging for food, which turns into a spiral of vulnerability, particularly among the rural populations.

Currently, many people suffering food crises depend on agricultural livelihoods for survival.

This is most critical for rural women.


In a household with insufficient food, evidence indicates that women will be worse off than men.

There are also significant gaps in the food security of indigenous populations.

The food crisis or emergency reported in the region in 2022 is mainly due to several factors, such as the war in Ukraine, the social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of extreme weather events.
We must increase humanitarian efforts with populations that can no longer meet their minimum food needs.

But it is also essential to invest in agriculture and local food production, as this also contributes to humanitarian work in contexts of food crises.

Currently, only four percent of humanitarian assistance in countries in food crisis goes to agricultural and livelihood support.
We must provide humanitarian aid to protect agricultural livelihoods, act proactively on alerts anticipating the deterioration of an acute food insecurity situation before it becomes an extreme emergency, and ensure social protection for rural people, and increase economic and climate resilience.

Investing in agriculture and the resources that sustain it is strategic and cost- effective.
According to our studies, the benefits of investing in agriculture can be ten times greater than if investing only in food aid, and the effects can be prolonged over time.

Without successful recovery and sustainable development initiatives, there will be a perpetual need for urgent humanitarian action and an increased risk of deterioration into a chronic emergency.
We must achieve these results with more coordinated efforts by international organizations, governments, the private sector, regional organizations, civil society, and communities.
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694819133122.pdf (Antigua and Barbuda)
C E L E B R A T I N G 1 2 0 Y E A R S O F P A H O Looking forward, leaving no one behind.
JANUARY 29 30 World Leprosy Day World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day MARCH MAY 4 15 World Cancer Day International Childhood Cancer Day FEBRUARY 3 4 8 9 4-11 22 24 World Birth Defects Day World Obesity Day International Women's Day World Kidney Day Salt Awareness Week World Water Day World Tuberculosis Day World Health Day 7 World Chagas Disease Day 14 23-29 Vaccination Week in the Americas 25 28 World Malaria Day World Day for Safety and Health at Work APRIL 5 8-14 12 15 17 21 21-30 28 31 World Hand Hygiene Day & International Day of the Midwife 7th UN Global Road Safety Week & Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week International Nurses Day International Day of Families World Hypertension Day World Breastfeeding Protection Day 76th World Health Assembly International Day of Action for Women’s Health World No Tobacco Day Caribbean Nutrition Day World Environment Day World Food Safety Day World Blood Donor Day World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 1 5 7 14 15 26-30 PAHO’s 172nd Session of the Executive Committee International Day Against Drug Abuse 26 JUNE JULY 25 28 World Drowning Prevention Day World Hepatitis Day SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER 1-7 9 12 19 World Breastfeeding Week International Day of the World's Indigenous People International Youth Day World Humanitarian Day AUGUST Childhood Cancer Awareness Month International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies Caribbean Wellness Day World Suicide Prevention Day 7 9 10 9-15 Wellness Week in the Americas 17 18-24 Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Week World Patient Safety Day 25-29 28 29 in Latin America PAHO’s 60th Directing Council/75th Session of the Regional Committee of WHO for the Americas World Rabies Day World Heart Day Breast Cancer Awareness Month OCTOBER International Day of the Elderly Inter-American Water Day World Mental Health Day International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction World Hospice and Palliative Care Day World Sight Day World Handwashing Day 1 7 10 13 14 14 15 16-22 Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Week in the Caribbean International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 22-28 World Polio Day 24 World Stroke Day 29 Malaria Day in the Americas Diabetes Day World Day of Prematurity 6 14 17 18-24 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 19 19 World Toilet Day World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25 DECEMBER 25 Nov – 10 Dec 16 Days of Action for the Elimination of Violence against Women 1 2 3 10 12 World AIDS Day 121st Anniversary of PAHO International Day of Persons with Disabilities Human Rights Day Universal Health Day 2023 www.paho.org •�525 23rd St. N.W.
Washington DC 20037 2023
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694819282251.pdf (Australia)
MEDIA ALERT Issued: 2 May 2007 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Standing Committee on Health and Ageing Chair: Hon Alex Somlyay MP Deputy Chair: Steve Georganas MP Raising the Nation’s Breastfeeding Rates Public hearing on Monday 7 May Parliament House, Canberra At the upcoming public hearing the House Health Committee will examine research which indicates women could benefit from more breastfeeding education and support before and after child birth to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for six months as recommended by the World Health Organisation.
The Chair Alex Somlyay is a strong supporter of the health benefits of breastfeeding.

“We need to examine why breastfeeding rates drop significantly in the first few months and establish what can be done to increase these rates to ensure Australian children receive the best start to life they can possibly have.” Mr Somlyay commented.

The Women’s Electoral Lobby believes there is a workforce issue associated with these low rates.
Women are having to return to work after 3 months and are not in a position to continue breastfeeding.

The Women’s Electoral Lobby indicate greater support and flexibility is needed from employers.

The Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives will appear to discuss the importance of the role of the midwife and how their guidance can help women to persevere with breastfeeding.
The Australian College of Midwives highlight the flow on effects from low breastfeeding rates cost the health system millions every year.

Children who are not breastfed are at higher risk of developing eczema, diabetes, gastroenteritis, diabetes and lymphatic cancer.
The Committee will also hear from the Dietitians Association of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia who both believe they play a vital role in supporting breastfeeding in the community and educating women in best practice breastfeeding.

The Committee is very interested in strategies to better support breastfeeding mothers, and looks forward to hearing from experts in this field.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE Venue: Committee Room 1S3, Parliament House, Canberra 10.30 am Pharmaceutical Society of Australia 11.00 am Dieticians Association of Australia.

11.25 am The Australian College of Midwives 11.50 am 12.10pm Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives Women’s Electoral Lobby Australia Inc.
This hearing will be webcast live on 7 May on: http://webcast.aph.gov.au/livebroadcasting/ For media interview with the Chairman: Please contact Mr Somlyay’s office on (02) 6277 4727 or his electorate office (07) 5471 6611.
For further information on the inquiry: Contact the Committee secretariat on (02) 6277 4145 or email haa.reps@aph.gov.au or visit the website at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa/breastfeeding/index.htm Telephone: 02 6277 4145 Facsimile: 02 6277 4844 E-mail: Website: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa haa.reps@aph.gov.au PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694819387548.pdf (Australia)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Standing Committee on Health and Ageing MEDIA ALERT Issued: 6 December 2006 Chair: Hon Alex Somlyay MP Deputy Chair: Steve Georganas MP Parliament launches new inquiry into breastfeeding Chairman of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing, Alex Somlyay, today announced a new parliamentary inquiry into the health benefits of breastfeeding.
Mr Somlyay said that the Committee will examine how the Australian government can take a lead role to improve the health of the population through support for breastfeeding.

“There is considerable evidence suggesting the health of the Australian population may be improved by increasing the rate of breastfeeding”, Mr Somlyay said.

“The committee will be looking at the potential effects on the long term sustainability of Australia’s health system”.
In 2001, approximately 54 per cent of babies were fully breastfed at 3 months of age or less, compared with around 32 per cent of infants by 6 months of age or less.

Rates of breastfeeding vary between different population groups.

“It is worth noting that there is anecdotal evidence that new mothers are not being closely supported or greatly encouraged to persist with breastfeeding”, Mr Somlyay said.
“The public perception is that breastfeeding is not necessarily accepted as the most desirable way of nourishing young babies or preventing long term health problems.” The Committee invites public submissions by 28 February 2007 on: How the Commonwealth government can take a lead role to improve the health of the Australian population through support for breastfeeding, with particular consideration to: • The extent of the health benefits of breastfeeding; • Evaluate the impact of marketing of breast milk substitutes on breastfeeding rates and, in particular, in disadvantaged, Indigenous and remote communities; • The potential short and long term impact on the health of Australians of increasing the rate of breastfeeding; • Initiatives to encourage breastfeeding; • Examine the effectiveness of current measures to promote breastfeeding; and • The impact of breastfeeding on the long term sustainability of Australia’s health system.
For media interview with the Chairman: Please contact the Committee Secretary on 02 6277 4145.

For a copy of the terms of reference and further information on making a submission: contact the Committee secretariat on (02) 6277 4145 or email haa.reps@aph.gov.au or visit the website at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa Telephone: 02 6277 4145 Facsimile: 02 6277 4844 E-mail: Website: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa haa.reps@aph.gov.au PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694819512301.pdf (Australia)
Senator Xenophon asked: “Are there co-morbidity issues if there is substance abuse or alcohol abuse—can they be linked to increased levels of problem gambling?” : Research papers into the link between Gambling and substance abuse are listed on the National Drug Strategy website at 11.2.1 Gambling and substance abuse and 11.4 Major Clinical Issues with gambling and alcohol use: http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/ mono71-toc~mono71-11~mono71-11-2
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694819597319.pdf (Australia)
Message Page 1 of 2 m " " 9 * .

s %" * - * ,-- Submission no.
88 AUTHORISED: J I/o#@~ /a This submission addresses in part the following points: a. the extent of the health benefits of breastfeeding; beevaluate the impact of marketing of breast milk substitutes on breastfeeding rates and, in particular, in disadvantaged, Indigenous and remote communities; c. the potential short and long term impact on the health of Australians of increasing the rate of breast feeding; d. initiatives to encourage breastfeeding; e. examine the effectiveness of current measures to promote breastfeeding; and f. the impact of breastfeeding on the long term sustainability of Australia's health system."
* Health professionals are barely educated about breastfeeding and lactation unless they choose to attend one of the seminars or conferences organised by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

The little information they do receive while studying may be out of date by the time they begin working with mothers.
* Fully breastfed babies rarely get many diseases such as rotavirus (the federal government wants to fund a vaccine for rotavirus that would be unnecessary if all children were breastfed) * Parents are bombarded with advertising about infant formula and toddler formulas by drug companies that barely pay lip service to the fact that breastfeeding is the natural way to feed babies and toddlers.

Toddler formulas are not necessary if children have a good diet, including breastfeeding.
Infant formulas should be available by prescription only when medically indicated.

Infant formula companies neglect to tell purchasers of the risks of not breastfeeding.

This should be printed on the packages in a similar way to the warnings on cigarette packets as the risks of not breastfeeding are similar in magnitude to the risks of smoking.
* Expectant parents have little access to currrent, research based information about breastfeeding unless they pay to attend a Breastfeeding Education Class run by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

These classes are run by unpaid VOLUNTEERS.


Message Page 2 of 2 * Many mothers give up breastfeeding due to lack of education, lack of incentive to persevere, the incorrect assumption (due to advertising) that infant formula is "just as good", lack of support from health professionals, pressure from family, friends and the community.

* Parents who subscribe to the Australian Breastfeeding Association breastfeed with more success and for longer than most other parents.
This is due to the information and support that they receive through the association.

Government should ensure that all new mothers have access to this information and support by spending $50 of their maternity payment on a subscription to ABA.
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694819601237.pdf (Australia)
' Inquiry into breastfeeding Submission EO.

288 AUTHORISED: 17/4/07 I would like to submit to the inquiry my experiences of combining breastfeeding and work with my two children.

My daughter is now 7 and was breastfeed until she was 20 months old.

My son will be four in July and is still breastfeeding.

I would to like comment specifically on the need to provide encouragement and support to mothers who wish to, or may have to return to work while breastfeeding.
It is at this time many mothers feel they have no other choice but to stop breastfeeding and as many mothers are returning to work while their babies are quite young this is having a negative impact on breastfeeding rates and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding.

I was fortunate to have had a positive experience of combining work and breastfeeding with both my children.

I was able to take 12 months maternity leave with my first child and did not return to work until she was 11 months old.
I was able to go and breastfeed her during my lunchbreak and was able to negotiate part time work.

Things were a bit more challenging when I returned to work after the birth of my son as he was only seven months old.

I discovered that the department that I worked for had no policy on breastfeeding and work.

I needed to negotiate directly with my supervisor regarding lactation breaks and a suitable place to express.
Fortunately there was a separate office where I could express and kitchen facilities nearby.

I combined expressing milk for my son with visiting him at creche for a lunchtime breastfeed.

Slowly as he got closer to 12 months I no longer visited him during my lunch breaks and as he naturally reduced his number of breastfeeds my need to express at work eventually ended.

Without the cooperation and support of my supervisor I would not have been able to return to work when I did.
If I had not been able to negotiate a solution that had enabled me to continue breastfeeding I would not have returned to work at that time as I felt so strongly about the long term health benefits to my son and myself of breastfeeding.

I was lucky to be in a position where I felt comfortable to be able to negotiate an arrangement that enabled me to continue breastfeeding while working.

Not all mothers are fortunate to be in this position.
Initiatives such as the Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Accreditation program run by the Australian Breastfeeding Association need to be supported and promoted by government to ensure that mothers can successfully combine breastfeeding and work.

Many mothers do not know that it is possible to continue breastfeeding when they return to work and accurate information needs to be made available.

Rachael Dean 28 February 2007.
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694819659626.pdf (Belize)
PRESS RELEASE Members of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition (BPAHM) gathered this morning at the Marion Jones Conference Room in Belize City for a forum on Food and Nutrition Security for a Healthy Belize.
In his address to the gathering, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Honourable Patrick Faber, said his Ministry is planning to scale up school feeding in Belize as well as to ensuring that school children are fed one healthy meal a day.

The Minister of Agriculture, the Senator the Honourable Godwin Hulse, who is also a member of BPAHM, spoke about the importance and benefits of school gardens in Belize.
On the other hand, the representative of the Ministry of Health informed of the Ministry’s initiatives in the promotion of wellness and prevention of malnutrition in Belize.

The Coordinator for the Parliamentary Front against Hunger for the Caribbean, Honourable Hamlet Melo, shared with the Members of BPAHM the law on sovereignty and food and nutrition security for the Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, Mr. Byron Gonzalez from the Ministry of Education in Guatemala shared the experiences of the implementation of sustainable school feeding programmes in San Marcos, Guatemala.

The forum was also attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Laura Tucker Longsworth, who facilitated a discussion on the policies and legislation to advance and achieve the objectives of BPAHM for the development of its work plan and communication plan.

The Vice President of the Senate, Dr.


Senator the Honourable Carla Barnett, gave the closing remarks at the forum which was organized by the BPAHM Committee with assistance from international agencies such as FAO, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain.

BELMOPAN 8th November 2019.
Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694819717252.pdf (Bahamas)
Morbidity (Admissions) Trends for Princess Margaret Hospital and The Rand Memorial Hospital for Selected Conditions, with Number and Percent of Total Admissions, 1989-2004, 2007 Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions Number of Admissions Percent (%) of Total Admissions 1989 1997 PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH Rand PMH & Rand AIDS Malignant Neoplasms (Cancer) Heart Diseases 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 2.3 Injuries due to External Causes (Accidents, Violence, Poisonings, etc.)
Diabetes Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke) Pneumonia and Influenza Inpatient Morbidity Trends (Percent [%] of Total Admissions) of Selected Conditions Princess Margaret and Rand Memorial Hospitals 1989-2004, 2007 i s n o s s m d A i l a t o T f o ) % ( t n e c r e P 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 2.0 0.0 Heart Diseases AIDS Malignant Neoplasms (Cancer) Injuries due to External Causes (Accidents, Violence, Poisonings, etc.)
Diabetes Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke) Pneumonia and Influenza N.B.
2005-2006 information is not readily available.

Source: 1989-1995, Medical Records Department, PMH and Rand Hospitals; 1996-2004, 2007 Hospital Information System, Public Hospitals Authority Prepared By: Health Information and Research Unit, Ministry of Health 11/10