Food Price Controls and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention
Author Information
Author(s): Sträuli Bella, Thow Anne Marie, Reeve Erica
Primary Institution: The George Institute for Global Health
Hypothesis
How do food price controls in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions align with recommendations for preventing noncommunicable diseases?
Conclusion
Price controls on certain foods in these regions often protect unhealthy options, which contradicts global dietary recommendations.
Supporting Evidence
- Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death and disability globally.
- Price controls are often applied to foods that are not aligned with healthy dietary recommendations.
- Governments are encouraged to involve health sectors in price control decision-making.
Takeaway
This study looks at how governments control food prices to help people afford food, but sometimes they protect unhealthy foods instead of healthy ones.
Methodology
The study examined price control measures in 10 countries using targeted searches of government websites and legislative databases.
Potential Biases
Potential bias exists due to the lack of health sector involvement in price control decision-making.
Limitations
The study did not find evidence of collaboration between finance or commerce and health experts in developing price control measures.
Participant Demographics
Countries included Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand, and Tuvalu.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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