The Pitfalls of Ascribing Moral Agency to Corporations: Public Obligation and Political and Social Contexts in the Commercial Determinants of Health

GÓMEZ, EDUARDO J.; MAANI, NASON; GALEA, SANDRO

doi:10.1111/1468-0009.12678

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 42 publications

(71 reference statements)

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“…Food businesses play a critical role in shaping the food environments of individuals and populations. The concept of the commercial determinants of health has been used elsewhere to focus attention on the role of food and beverage companies as important drivers of non-communicable diseases globally (Gomez et al, 2024;Maani et al, 2020).…”

Section: Contributions To Knowledge and Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

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The adoption and implementation of local government planning regulations to manage hot food takeaways near schools in England: A qualitative process evaluation

Hassan,

Thompson,

Adams

et al. 2024

Preprint

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IntroductionAccess to hot food takeaways, particularly near schools, is of growing concern for policymakers seeking to reduce childhood obesity globally. In England, United Kingdom (UK), local government jurisdictions are implementing planning policies to reduce access by restricting or denying planning permission for new takeaway outlets near schools. We used a qualitative approach to explore local government officers’ perspectives on the barriers to and facilitators of the adoption, implementation, and perceived effectiveness of these policies.MethodsIn 2021-2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 local planning (‘planners’) and public health government officers from 15 different local authorities across England who adopted a policy to restrict new takeaways. Data were analysed thematically.ResultsParticipants explained that they mostly thought the policies facilitated the refusal of applications for new takeaways near schools. However, participants speculated that businesses identified alternative opportunities to operate including functioning as ‘restaurants’ or within other locations. Effective working relationships between planners and public health officers were important for adoption and implementation, although planning and public health agendas did not always align and there were tensions between economic development and health improvement goals. The policy was adapted to suit local needs and priorities; in some cases, the policy was not used in areas where economic growth was prioritised. Clarity in policy wording and establishing a formal process for implementing policies including a designated individual responsible for checking and reviewing takeaway applications helped ensure consistency and confidence in policy implementation.ConclusionAlthough sometimes challenging, the policies were commonly described as feasible to implement. However, they may not completely prevent new takeaways opening, particularly where takeaways are relied upon to enhance local economies or where takeaway businesses find alternative ways to operate. Nevertheless, the policies can serve to shift the balance of power that currently favours commercial interests over public health priorities.HighlightsPlanning and public health officers struggled to align economic and health agendasPolicy champions helped align agendas and push takeaway management policies forwardPolicies were adapted to avoid use where they negatively impacted economic growthEstablished processes and clearly worded policies facilitated policy implementationThe polices made it easier to deny planning permission for new takeaways

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Section: Contributions To Knowledge and Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This suggests that other policies with a broader focus on improving population health targeting different unhealthy food sources in the retail food environment are needed. Countries adopting and implementing such strategies should be supported by central government to achieve this (Gomez et al, 2024).…”

Section: Contributions To Knowledge and Practicementioning

confidence: 99%