In 23-25 March, WHO Western Pacific Region organised an expert consultation meeting to collect recommendations for adolescent substance use, alcohol use, violence, and mental disorders in the regional countries. The meeting involved the participation of 24 experts: 6 heads of WHO Departments of HIV/AIDS control for alcohol prevention, violence, substance use, mental health, and adolescent health; 8 consultants for WHO Regional Office; and 6 observers come from Philippines, Malaysia, and Australia. Dr. Tuan is among these consultants to the WHO regional office.
At the meeting, Dr. Tuan gave an analysis on a new approach which focuses on orienting adolescents and youths to Eco-Healthy living styles through changes of negative health habits and building a positive living environment. RTCCD’s expertise in this area was developed from running a community-based project on nutritional behavioral change in Thai Nguyen and Yen The. The findings from this project, an additional pilot project on organic farming and a proposed master plan for a community-based eco-health project together formed the basis for discussions about a new pilot study regarding a community eco-health intervention model for adolescents. Attendees at the meeting commented that this idea seemed practical, scientific, and innovative.
Further afield, RTCCD has been invited to be a member of the APAPA (Asia Pacific Alcohol Policy Alliance). The University of Auckland (New Zealand) has expressed its interest in a partnership with RTCCD to develop a practical application of the theoretical eco-health model. The proposed funding body for this research is New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID).
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