Grant: Project Grant - PA: Population and Public Health - Global Health Policy

Antigua and Barbuda, like other islands in the Caribbean, has seen a decline in child health and well-being. Understandably, there is a growing desire to focus on supporting the holistic well-being of children. Well-being is foundational to learning and school-based health promotion provides an equitable strategy to ensure that all children reach their full potential for a healthy and happy life. The primary purpose of this project is to address the complex nature of child health and well-being in Antigua and Barbuda by leveraging the combined expertise of an international, multi- disciplinary team of researchers and knowledge users. Specific objectives are to 1) assess the implementation and effectiveness of the APPLE Schools model in primary schools in Antigua and Barbuda; 2) establish a school health surveillance system that will be used to monitor child health and support local research; and 3) provide opportunities to support research capacity locally and among other Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. 2900 Grade 5 and 6 students from all 57 regular elementary schools in Antigua and Barbuda will be invited to participate in surveillance measures (Quality of life, physical activity, screen time, nutrition, sleep, anthropomertrics, mental health, academic achievement). 12 schools (public, private, rural and urban) will receive the APPLE Schools intervention. Intervention impact will be assessed among 600 Grade 5 and 6 students from the 12 APPLE schools to understand how the APPLE Schools model can support the holistic well-being of primary school students in Antigua and Barbuda. This project will also establish a sustainable database about child health indicators that can be used to inform future research. Finally, opportunities to improve research capacity in small eastern Caribbean islands will also be provided and studied through this project.