How Unhealthy Industries Are Undermining Government Commitments to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases

Governments are backing off from strong health measures to fight diseases linked to smoking, alcohol, and junk food, thanks to pressure from big industries. This shift is evident in a draft document set for approval during the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in September.

This draft no longer emphasizes high taxes on unhealthy products. Alison Cox from the NCD Alliance said, “It looks like the health-harming industry’s influence is clear here.” She noted that these taxes could help raise significant funds and reduce healthcare costs related to NCDs.

Health experts stress the need to bring back commitments to impose stricter taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. A recent report suggested that a price increase of 50% on these items could yield $2.1 trillion for low- and middle-income countries over five years. That amount could cover nearly 40% of their total health expenditures.

Non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, lead to 43 million deaths annually around the globe, accounting for about 75% of all deaths. The trend of rising NCDs is particularly alarming in low- and middle-income nations, where lifestyles tied to smoking and poor nutrition are changing.

Vital Strategies, a global health organization, expressed concern over the removal of guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO). These guidelines recommended effective methods like increasing taxes and regulating marketing to combat alcohol abuse. They emphasized that ignoring past research could weaken health protections and allow alcohol companies more influence over policy decisions.

Further recommendations include explicitly tackling harmful business practices and enhancing protections against conflicts of interest in health policy-making. The WHO attributes around 2.8 million deaths each year to obesity and encourages straightforward solutions like clear labeling and restrictions on marketing to children.

Cox pointed out the crucial role of civil society in health initiatives: “History shows that sidelining communities limits effective public health responses.” As negotiations continue, the NCD Alliance urges governments to prioritize public health and resist compromises that cater to corporate interests.

For more on these health challenges, refer to WHO’s insights on obesity here.

Image Credits: Leo Zhuang/ Unsplash, Stanislav Ivanitskiy/ Unsplash.

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