Corporate practices and health: a framework and mechanisms

Abstract

BackgroundThe Global Burden of Disease estimates that approximately a third of deaths worldwide are attributable to behavioural risk factors that, at their core, have the consumption of unhealthful products and exposures produced by profit driven commercial entities. We use Steven Lukes’ three-dimensional view of power to guide the study of the practices deployed by commercial interests to foster the consumption of these commodities. Additionally, we propose a framework to systematically study corporations and other commercial interests as a distal, structural, societal factor that causes disease and injury. Our framework offers a systematic approach to mapping corporate activity, allowing us to anticipate and prevent actions that may have a deleterious effect on population health.ConclusionOur framework may be used by, and can have utility for, public health practitioners, researchers, students, activists and other members of civil society, policy makers and public servants in charge of policy implementation. It can also be useful to corporations who are interested in identifying key actions they can take towards improving population health.

Twin epidemics of covid-19 and non-communicable disease

“…Although communicable and non-communicable diseases seem very different, distinguished by transmissibility and chronicity, the dichotomy created by these categories is being challenged 3. An alternative concept of socially transmitted conditions has been proposed4 to reflect their shared social, environmental, and commercial56 determinants and to stress “the anthropogenic and socially contagious nature of the diseases.”4…”

“…Policy, legislation, and regulation should target the key structural factors underlying epidemics of both covid-19 and NCDs, including income inequality, insecure employment, poor education, inadequate housing, and the societal risks driven by industries such as tobacco, alcohol, and processed foods 69. Sweeping changes, including legislation, were made in a matter of weeks to protect the public from covid-19.…”

An overview of the commercial determinants of health

“…Some have described the development of conceptualizing CDoH, as a separate object of inquiry, over time, and proposed potential solutions to address one of the most pressing challenges in public health [ 2 ]. Others have developed models to understand [ 1 ] and study CDoH [ 12 , 13 ]. Maani et al recently noted that there is, however, a lack of clarity on what the term CDoH means [ 14 ].…”

Identifying a human rights–based approach to obesity for States and civil society

“…Nonetheless, we recognize that action by the private sector is critical, in addition to action by civil society and States. Corporations are major contributors to the global obesity pandemic, including through the formulation and promotion of unhealthy foods and beverages, including alcohol . A former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health has noted that “the food industry plays a key role in the global food environment and is recognized as the primary driver of diet‐related NCDs …” Indeed, corporations, particularly trans‐national food and beverage industries, are major “vectors” of obesity …”