Public Health Minister Víctor Atallah announced plans for a National Micronutrient Survey aimed at thoroughly assessing the nutritional components of the Dominican diet. Minister of Public Health, cardiologist Victor Atallah also took advantage of the celebrating of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) conference in Punta Cana to announce that the government will soon introduce front-of-package labeling to educate people when buying processed food, as reported in Diario Libre.
The findings from the survey will be used as the facts for an upcoming widespread educational campaign, which will include front-of-package labeling on food items, preventive health checks in schools, and enhancements to the school breakfast program. The latter initiative has already begun, with the introduction of fresh fruits and the removal of sugary juices and soft drinks from public schools.
“Due to time constraints and convenience, families have increasingly relied on fast food and ultra-processed options for their children, which contributes to numerous health risks,” Dr. Atallah stated during a panel discussion titled “Breaking Barriers: Decoding the Links Between Social and Cardiovascular Factors in Health in Latin America,” held at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) conference in Punta Cana.
The Minister indicated that details of the initiative will be revealed soon, possibly within the next week or two.
Dr. Atallah emphasized the importance of understanding how social, environmental, and economic factors contribute to health risks and the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases. He underscored the need to strengthen primary care as a crucial entry point into the healthcare system for identifying risk factors associated with heart disease.
“We have focused heavily on treatment for a long time, but we are now pivoting towards strengthening primary care with a nationwide program aimed at addressing root causes,” he explained. “Prevention is paramount; we are enhancing our focus on this area through programs that promote nutrition, improve school breakfast options, and implement comprehensive food labeling.”
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Diario Libre
23 September 2024