Strengthening public health capacity to respond to Myanmar s disease transition. Dr. AYE MYA AUNG LECTURER UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC HEALTH,YANGON

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2 Strengthening public health capacity to respond to Myanmar s disease transition Dr. AYE MYA AUNG LECTURER UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC HEALTH,YANGON

3 European Commission Project Four year project on Strengthening Public Health capacity to respond to Myanmar s disease transition (2015 to 2019) To enable Myanmar to fill research/ data/policy gaps Health research data and policy analysis are needed to address NCDs in Myanmar

4 Problem Identification Research gaps in NCDs Evidence based communication gap No prior research addressing the relationship between junk food consumption and childhood obesity Translation of research into PH programs and policies - insufficient Academic role in policy making limited &isolated Policy Gaps regarding NCDs context specific policy school setting No food and beverage policy - Influence school food environment - Students purchases of energy dense foods

5 Why it is a public health concern? estimated 170 million children - overweight globally prevalence - fastest in LMIC Double Burden: serious risk Myanmar obesity prevalence % (M) 8.37% (F) Children and adolescents obese- 7.6% both sexes(ygn) 80% of obese adolescents - obese in adulthood High NCDs risk in adulthood huge morbidity/mortality burden

6 Death Rates for Non- Communicable Diseases in South East Asia (% of total death-2012) Country (SEA) Change ( ) Cambodia Brunei Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Source WHO Non-communicable diseases country profiles,2014

7 Related past UPH research findings - Readymade junk food packets - most available food type in schools - Percentage of students eating junk food in both types of school investigated(monastic schools and Basic Education Primary Schools), (62.4%) and (72.9%) Planned research project to address NCDs Consumption of junk foods and obesity among the middle school children in selected schools of Yangon (A case-control study on consumption of junk foods among obese and non- obese middle school children)

8 Core aim To provide supportive finding in developing Healthy School Food Environment Policy in schools of Myanmar

9 Healthy School Food Environment Policy Areas -nutritional labelling -irresponsible marketing -Healthy food package -limitation of calories, trans fat, salt and sugar contents of junk foods in school environment Targeted Policy actions - Adopt traffic light food labelling system & inhibit selling red segment foods - prohibit irresponsible marketing of junk foods by giving away toys and other cheap incentives to children - availability of healthy set menu in school canteens - set national guidelines on nutritional contents of foods sold at school canteens (long run)

10 Strategic Directions Knowledge synthesis Conducting researches translational enough Evidence Academic government engagement Stakeholders awareness, involvement &collaboration Heighten advocacy efforts on Health Impact of junk foods, obesity and NCDs Disease burden, advices and guidelines Communication - Customize message - Anticipated health concerns of childhood obesity and NCDs burden Political Awareness Societal Awareness Decision Making

11 Policy Development Framework Communication Plan Address the problem Consultation with experts Develop draft policy Other Stakeholders -acceptability -degree of coercion -responsibility Knowledge Synthesis transfer translation Engagement Policy makers(ministerial level) - Inform strongest facts -Objectives of the policy -Intermediate outcome -Feasibility -Acceptability -Distribution of responsibility between diverse stakeholders -How it is synergized with existing program -Coerciveness (tolerated) -Advantages &limitations Built credible evidence - Researches - Literature Reviews (applicable context) Policy Derivatives

12 Who to engage? Government Union Ministerial level (Education,Health) Regional (Regional Government) Local(School Administrators) Related Departments( FDA, SH, National Nutrition Center, Municipalities, Regional Health Dept.) Consumers Others Students Parents/families/teachers/school staffs Food manufacturers, retailers, food vendors Interested groups( CSO,CBO, Politicians, Activists) Media

13 Endorsement Ministry of Health (Supportive) Traffic light food labelling system Initiatives Ministry of Education (Ownership) MOH MOE Technical assistance & guidance by FDA, National Nutrition Center Supervision by SH Team Incorporate into existing School Food Safety Program launched by Dept. of FDA Setting policy derivative to establish traffic light food labelling system in schools, work closely with MOH Organize school canteen administrative and supervisory committee for implementation of the policy and sustainability

14 THANK YOU THANK YOU This project is funded by European Union