World No Tobacco Day 2020 awards – the winners
Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. This recognition takes the form of WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and World No Tobacco Day Awards.
The InterAmerican Heart Foundation is proud to present the World No Tobacco Day Award recipients for the Region of the Americas:
Three Bolivian institutions (shared award): Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional de Bolivia (National Assembly of Bolivia), Ministerio de Salud del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia (Bolivia Ministry of Health), Alianza Bolivia Libre Sin Tabaco (Alliance for a Bolivia Free of Tobacco)
Brazil: Antonio Drauzio Varella, medical doctor and influencer, Brazil
Venezuela:
Three Mexican institutions (shared award): Secretaría de Salud de México (Mexico Ministry of Health), Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público de México (Mexico Ministry of Finance and Public Credit), Secretaría de Economía de México (Mexico Ministry of Economy)
A list of all award winners can be found on the WHO Award Winners website.
World No Tobacco Day 2020 – Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use
For decades, the tobacco industry has deliberately employed strategic, aggressive and well-resourced tactics to attract youth to tobacco and nicotine products. Internal industry documents reveal in-depth research and calculated approaches designed to attract a new generation of tobacco users, from product design to marketing campaigns aimed at replacing the millions of people who die each year from tobacco-attributable diseases with new consumers – youth.
In response to the tobacco and related industries’ systematic, aggressive and sustained tactics to attract a new generation of tobacco users, World No Tobacco Day 2020 will provide a counter-marketing campaign and empower young people to engage in the fight against Big Tobacco. READ MORE
People Living with NCDs – Together we heal, together we give.
The InterAmerican Heart Foundation works with local, grassroots organizations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to promote policies that help and protect people, like Bruno Helman, against the debilitating effects of non-communicable chronic diseases.
Bruno Helman
“I am lucky that I am able to practice social distancing while having a job. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality for many. We hear stories of people living with diabetes who literally have to beg for money at signal lights, that have developed complications such as neuropathy which can lead to amputation.
The COVID 19 crisis has increased the social and economic divide we face in Latin America. Some are able to stay at home knowing that, if needed, they will be able to receive health care through their private health plans. However, there are many, many more who don’t have that privilege, are forced to expose themselves and their families, in order to bring food home.
As someone living with diabetes and depression, it has been hard not being able to practice my daily physical activity, which is essential in helping me control my blood sugar levels and keep my mind healthy. I’m just trying to practice the “one day at time” lifestyle, keeping positive and optimistic when possible, and accepting my sadness when needed.”
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
The World Health Organization (www.who.int) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) have published important information regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available.
Stay informed:
