In June 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) launched a virtual course on effective regulatory nutrition policies to strengthen the capacity of countries to improve food environments and tackle obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The course builds on the already significant movement to advance healthy food policies in Latin America and the Caribbean and was developed to address a need identified by PAHO to equip countries with skills to overcome technical, legal, political and industry barriers to adopting and implementing these laws and regulations.
In the last few decades, countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region have faced an increase in obesity and diet-related NCDs associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. These threaten the health, well-being and development prospects in the entire region. The widespread availability, affordability and promotion of ultra-processed food and drink products are major drivers of this shift in diet patterns and increasing NCDs. This is why it’s critical to focus on creating food environments that make healthier food options available and accessible for all. (More)