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Alvarado M, Adams J, Penney T, Murphy MM, Abdool Karim S, Egan N, Rogers NT, Carters-White L, White M. A systematic scoping review evaluating sugar-sweetened beverage taxation from a systems perspective. NATURE FOOD 2023; 4:986-995. [PMID: 37857862 PMCID: PMC10661741 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00856-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Systems thinking can reveal surprising, counterintuitive or unintended reactions to population health interventions (PHIs), yet this lens has rarely been applied to sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxation. Using a systematic scoping review approach, we identified 329 papers concerning SSB taxation, of which 45 considered influences and impacts of SSB taxation jointly, involving methodological approaches that may prove promising for operationalizing a systems informed approach to PHI evaluation. Influences and impacts concerning SSB taxation may be cyclically linked, and studies that consider both enable us to identify implications beyond a predicted linear effect. Only three studies explicitly used systems thinking informed methods. Finally, we developed an illustrative, feedback-oriented conceptual framework, emphasizing the processes that could result in an SSB tax being increased, maintained, eroded or repealed over time. Such a framework could be used to synthesize evidence from non-systems informed evaluations, leading to novel research questions and further policy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Alvarado
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Jean Adams
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tarra Penney
- Global Food System and Policy Research, School of Global Health, Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Madhuvanti M Murphy
- George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre, Caribbean Institute for Health Research, The University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados
| | | | - Nat Egan
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nina Trivedy Rogers
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lauren Carters-White
- SPECTRUM Consortium, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Old Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Martin White
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
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Ghodsi D, Haghighian-Roudsari A, Khoshfetrat M, Abdollah-PouriHosseini SF, Babapour M, Esfarjani F, Ajami M, Zargaraan A, Mohammadi-Nasrabadi F. Why has the taxing policy on sugar sweetened beverages not reduced their purchase in Iranian households? Front Nutr 2023; 10:1035094. [PMID: 36814511 PMCID: PMC9939810 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1035094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed at analyzing the effectiveness of the policy of taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) on their purchases during the last decade in Iranian households. Methods The present mixed method study was done in 2017 in four phases: (1) A meta-review of the fiscal policies during the last decade, (2) Collecting existing data on soft drinks' production, price, and household expenditure during the last decade, (3) Conducting 19 semi-structured interviews with key informants, and (4) Facilitating a national meeting to achieve a consensus on the recommendations and future implications. Results Document reviews showed that based on the Permanent Provisions of National Development Plans of Iran, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) should announce the list of health threatening products to increase taxation for them. The government is allowed to impose taxes on domestically produced and imported SSBs. The average household expenditure on SSBs increased in the rural and urban households of Iran during 2006-2016 in spite of taxation. In the different key informants' opinion, only value-added tax (VAT) was implemented among different fiscal policies, and the other parts, including tax and tolls were debated. Conclusion The present research findings further proposed some suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of financial policies in reducing the prevalence of NCDs in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delaram Ghodsi
- Department of Nutrition Research, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arezoo Haghighian-Roudsari
- Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - MohammadReza Khoshfetrat
- Research Department of Food and Nutrition Policy and Planning, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Fatemeh Abdollah-PouriHosseini
- Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra Babapour
- Department of Economics, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Esfarjani
- Research Department of Food and Nutrition Policy and Planning, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Ajami
- Research Department of Food and Nutrition Policy and Planning, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azizollaah Zargaraan
- Research Department of Food and Nutrition Policy and Planning, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Azizollaah Zargaraan,
| | - Fatemeh Mohammadi-Nasrabadi
- Research Department of Food and Nutrition Policy and Planning, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Fatemeh Mohammadi-Nasrabadi,
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Abstract
Context Policy-specific actions to improve food environments will support healthy population diets. Objective To identify cited barriers and facilitators to food environment policy (FEP) processes reported in the literature, exploring these according to the nature of the policy (voluntary or mandatory) and country development status. Data sources A systematic search was conducted of 10 academic and 7 grey-literature databases, national websites, and manual searches of publication references. Data extraction Data on government-led FEPs, barriers, and facilitators from key informants were collected. Data synthesis The constant-comparison approach generated core themes for barriers and facilitators. The appraisal tool developed by Hawker et al. was adopted to determine the quality of qualitative and quantitative studies. Results A total of 142 eligible studies were identified. Industry resistance or disincentive was the most cited barrier in policy development. Technical challenges were most frequently a barrier for policy implementation. Frequently cited facilitators included resource availability or maximization, strategies in policy process, and stakeholder partnership or support. Conclusions The findings from this study will strategically inform health-reform stakeholders about key elements of public health policy processes. More evidence is required from countries with human development indices ranging from low to high and on voluntary policies. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42018115034.
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Affiliation(s)
- SeeHoe Ng
- Early Start, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Heather Yeatman
- Early Start, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bridget Kelly
- Early Start, School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sreelakshmi Sankaranarayanan
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tilakavati Karupaiah
- T. Karupaiah, School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. E-mail:
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Six lessons from introducing sweetened beverage taxes in Berkeley, Cook County, and Philadelphia: A case study comparison in agenda setting and decision making. Health Policy 2020; 124:932-942. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Eykelenboom M, van Stralen MM, Olthof MR, Schoonmade LJ, Steenhuis IHM, Renders CM. Political and public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverages tax: a mixed-method systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2019; 16:78. [PMID: 31484538 PMCID: PMC6727579 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-019-0843-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), as a component of a comprehensive strategy, has emerged as an apparent effective intervention to counteract the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. Insight into the political and public acceptability may help adoption and implementation in countries with governments that are considering an SSBs tax. Hence, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the existing qualitative and quantitative literature on political and public acceptability of an SSBs tax. METHODS Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched until November 2018. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Qualitative studies were analyzed using a thematic synthesis. Quantitative studies were analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis for the pooling of proportions. RESULTS Thirty-seven articles reporting on forty studies were eligible for inclusion. Five themes derived from the thematic synthesis: (i) beliefs about effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, (ii) appropriateness, (iii) economic and socioeconomic benefit, (iv) policy adoption and implementation, and (v) public mistrust of the industry, government and public health experts. Results of the meta-analysis indicated that of the public 42% (95% CI = 0.38-0.47) supports an SSBs tax, 39% (0.29-0.50) supports an SSBs tax as a strategy to reduce obesity, and 66% (0.60-0.72) supports an SSBs tax if revenue is used for health initiatives. CONCLUSIONS Beliefs about effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, appropriateness, economic and socioeconomic benefit, policy adoption and implementation, and public mistrust of the industry, government and public health experts have important implications for the political and public acceptability of an SSBs tax. We provide recommendations to increase acceptability and enhance successful adoption and implementation of an SSBs tax: (i) address inconsistencies between identified beliefs and scientific literature, (ii) use raised revenue for health initiatives, (iii) communicate transparently about the true purpose of the tax, and (iv) generate political priority for solutions to the challenges to implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Eykelenboom
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Maartje M van Stralen
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Margreet R Olthof
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Linda J Schoonmade
- Medical Library, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ingrid H M Steenhuis
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carry M Renders
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Developing Safe Syringe Exchange Programs: Role of the North Carolina Division of Public Health. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2019; 25:390-397. [DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Muennig P, Masters R, Vail D, Hakes J. The effects of New York City's coordinated public health programmes on mortality through 2011. Int J Epidemiol 2018; 46:1239-1248. [PMID: 28031310 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyw290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2003, New York City (NYC) implemented a series of coordinated policies designed to reduce non-communicable disease. Methods We used coarsened exact matching (CEM) of individuals living inside and outside NYC between the years of 1992-2000 and 2002-10 to estimate difference-in-difference survival time models, a quasi-experimental approach. We also fitted age-period-cohort (APC) models to explore mortality impacts by gender, race, age, borough and cause of death over this same time period. Results Both CEM and APC models show that survival gains were large in the pre-2003 era of health policy reform relative to the rest of the USA, but small afterwards. There is no clear link between any policy and changes in mortality by age, gender, ethnicity, borough, or cause of death. Conclusions NYC's gains in survival relative to the rest of the nation were not linked to the city's innovative and coordinated health policy efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Muennig
- Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, Health Policy and Management
| | - Ryan Masters
- Sociology Department, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Daniel Vail
- Stanford medical school, 291 campus drive Stanford CA 94305
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Tang W, Xie J, Lu Y, Liu Q, Malone D, Ma A. Effects on the medical revenue of comprehensive pricing reform in Chinese urban public hospitals after removing drug markups: case of Nanjing. J Med Econ 2018; 21:326-339. [PMID: 29139303 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2017.1405817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The State Council of China requires that all urban public hospitals must eliminate drug markups by September 2017, and that hospital drugs must be sold at the purchase price. Nanjing-one of the first provincial capital cities to implement the reform-is studied to evaluate the effects of the comprehensive reform on drug prices in public hospitals, and to explore differential compensation plans. METHODS Sixteen hospitals were selected, and financial data were collected over the 48-month period before the reform and for 12 months after the reform. An analysis was carried out using a simple linear interrupted time series model. RESULTS The average difference ratio of drug surplus fell 13.39% after the reform, and the drug markups were basically eliminated. Revenue from medical services showed a net growth of 28.25%. The overall compensation received from government financial budget and medical service revenue growth was 103.69% for the loss from policy-permitted 15% markup sales, and 116.48% for the net loss. However, there were large differences in compensation levels at different hospitals, ranging from -21.92% to 413.74% by medical services revenue growth, causing the combined rate of both financial and service compensation to vary from 28.87-413.74%, There was a significant positive correlation between the services compensation rate and the proportion of medical service revenue (p < .001), and the compensation rate increased by 8% for every 1% increase in the proportion of services revenue. DISCUSSION Nanjing's pricing and compensation reform has basically achieved the policy targets of eliminating the drug markups, promoting the growth of medical services revenue, and adjusting the structure of medical revenue. However, the growth rate of service revenue of hospitals varied significantly from one another. CONCLUSIONS Nanjing's reform represents successful pricing and compensation reform in Chinese urban public hospitals. It is recommended that a differentiated and dynamic compensation plan should be established in accordance with the revenue structure of different hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Tang
- a School of International Pharmaceutical Business , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Jing Xie
- a School of International Pharmaceutical Business , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Yijuan Lu
- a School of International Pharmaceutical Business , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Qizhi Liu
- b Public Hospital Management Committee , Nanjing Health and Family Planning Commission , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Daniel Malone
- c College of Pharmacy , University of Arizona , Tucson , AZ , USA
| | - Aixia Ma
- a School of International Pharmaceutical Business , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
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Abstract
CONTEXT Local health departments (LHDs) have historically not prioritized policy development, although it is one of the 3 core areas they address. One strategy that may influence policy in LHD jurisdictions is the formation of partnerships across sectors to work together on local public health policy. DESIGN We used a network approach to examine LHD local health policy partnerships across 15 large cities from the Big Cities Health Coalition. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS We surveyed the health departments and their partners about their working relationships in 5 policy areas: core local funding, tobacco control, obesity and chronic disease, violence and injury prevention, and infant mortality. OUTCOME MEASURES Drawing on prior literature linking network structures with performance, we examined network density, transitivity, centralization and centrality, member diversity, and assortativity of ties. RESULTS Networks included an average of 21.8 organizations. Nonprofits and government agencies made up the largest proportions of the networks, with 28.8% and 21.7% of network members, whereas for-profits and foundations made up the smallest proportions in all of the networks, with just 1.2% and 2.4% on average. Mean values of density, transitivity, diversity, assortativity, centralization, and centrality showed similarity across policy areas and most LHDs. The tobacco control and obesity/chronic disease networks were densest and most diverse, whereas the infant mortality policy networks were the most centralized and had the highest assortativity. Core local funding policy networks had lower scores than other policy area networks by most network measures. CONCLUSION Urban LHDs partner with organizations from diverse sectors to conduct local public health policy work. Network structures are similar across policy areas jurisdictions. Obesity and chronic disease, tobacco control, and infant mortality networks had structures consistent with higher performing networks, whereas core local funding networks had structures consistent with lower performing networks.
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Wright A, Smith KE, Hellowell M. Policy lessons from health taxes: a systematic review of empirical studies. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:583. [PMID: 28629470 PMCID: PMC5477308 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4497-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taxes on alcohol and tobacco have long been an important means of raising revenues for public spending in many countries but there is increasing interest in using taxes on these, and other unhealthy products, to achieve public health goals. We present a systematic review of the research on health taxes, and aim to generate insights into how such taxes can: (i) reduce consumption of targeted products and related harms; (ii) generate revenues for health objectives and distribute the tax burden across income groups in an efficient and equitable manner; and (iii) be made politically sustainable. METHODS Six scientific and four grey-literature databases were searched for empirical studies of 'health taxes' - defined as those intended to increase the costs of manufacturing, distributing, retailing and/or consuming health-damaging products. Since reviews already exist of the evidence relating to traditional alcohol and tobacco excise taxes, we focus on other taxes such as taxes on retailers and manufacturers of unhealthy products, and consumer taxes targeting unhealthy foods, such as sugar-sweetened beverages. RESULTS Ninety-one peer-reviewed and 11 grey-literature studies met our inclusion criteria. The review highlights a recent, rapid rise in research in this area, most of which focuses on high-income countries and on taxes on food products or nutrients. Findings demonstrate that high tax rates on sugar-sweetened beverages are likely to have a positive impact on health behaviours and outcomes, and, while taxes on products reduce demand, they add to fiscal revenues. Common concerns about health taxes are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS If the primary policy goal of a health tax is to reduce consumption of unhealthy products, then evidence supports the implementation of taxes that increase the price of products by 20% or more. However, where taxes are effective in changing health behaviours, the predictability of the revenue stream is reduced. Hence, policy actors need to be clear about the primary goal of any health tax and frame the tax accordingly - not doing so leaves taxes vulnerable to hostile lobbying. Conversely, earmarking health taxes for health spending tends to increase public support so long as policymakers follow through on specified spending commitments. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42016048603.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Wright
- Global Public Health Unit, Social Policy, School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD UK
| | - Katherine E. Smith
- Global Public Health Unit, Social Policy, School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD UK
| | - Mark Hellowell
- Global Public Health Unit, Social Policy, School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD UK
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Ginsberg GM. Mortality, hospital days and treatment costs of current and reduced sugar consumption in Israel. Isr J Health Policy Res 2017; 6:1. [PMID: 28096974 PMCID: PMC5225513 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-016-0129-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consumption of sugar causes tooth decay, overweight and obesity related morbidities. This paper in response to the Minister of Health's request, provides estimates of the mortality, morbidity and health care costs attributable to sugar consumption in Israel along with the effects of reducing sugar consumption. METHODS Gender specific relative risks of many diseases from overweight (25 < =BMI < 30) and obesity (BMI > =30) were applied to the national gender specific prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in order to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF) from overweight and obesity. National expenditure on these related diseases was calculated by applying disease-specific data from a recent Canadian study to estimates of disease specific general hospital expenditures in Israel. Disease specific costs attributable to overweight and obesity were estimated from the product of these expenditures and PAF. In addition national costs of treating caries in persons under 18 years of age from sugar were calculated. Similar calculations were made to estimate the burden from sugar in terms of mortality and hospital utilisation. A recent UK modelling study was used to estimate the effect of a national program to reduce calorific consumption of sugar from 12.45 to 10% in 5 years. RESULTS Conditions associated with overweight or obesity accounted annually for 6402 deaths (95% CI 3296-8760) and 268,009 hospital days. Dental costs attributable to sugar consumption were 264 million NIS. In total, obesity, overweight and sugar consumption accounted for 2449 million in direct treatment costs (0.21% of GDP), rising to 4027 million (0.35% of GDP) when indirect costs were included. A national program of reducing energy from sugar consumption from 12.45 to 10% over 5 years is considered have a very feasible short-term goal. Even if the program does not impose taxes on sugar consumption, this would save 778 million NIS as well as 1184 lives. CONCLUSION Sugar consumption causes a huge monetary and mortality burden. Estimates of potential decreases in this burden justify the current prioritisation given by the health minister of creating and implementing a national program to reduce sugar consumption, which is likely to be cost-saving (ie: averted treatment costs will exceed intervention costs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary M. Ginsberg
- Israel Ministry of Health, Public Health Services, Yirmiahu Street 39, Jerusalem, 9446724 Israel
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Kelly PM, Davies A, Greig AJM, Lee KK. Obesity Prevention in a City State: Lessons from New York City during the Bloomberg Administration. Front Public Health 2016; 4:60. [PMID: 27064755 PMCID: PMC4812825 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To illuminate the key components of multi-sector reform to address the obesogenic environment in New York City during the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg from 2002 to 2013, we conducted a case study consisting of interviews with and a critical analysis of the experiences of leading decision makers and implementers. Method Key informant interviews (N = 41) conducted in 2014 were recorded, transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Participants included officials from the Health Department and other New York City Government agencies, academics, civil society members, and private sector executives. Results Participants described Mayor Bloomberg as a data-driven politician who wanted to improve the lives of New Yorkers. He appointed talented Commissioners and encouraged them and their staff to be bold, innovative, and collaborative. Multiple programs spanning multiple sectors, with varied approaches and targets, were supported. This study found that much of the work relied on loose coalitions across City Government, with single agencies responsible for their own agendas, some with health co-benefits. Many policies were implemented through non-legislative mechanisms such as executive orders and the Health Code. Despite support from academic and some civil society groups, strong lobbying from industry and an unfavorable media led to some reforms being modified, legally challenged or blocked completely, particularly food environment modifiers. In contrast, reforms of the physical environment were described as highly consultative across and outside government and resulted in slower but more sustained reform. Conclusion The Bloomberg administration was a “window of opportunity” with the imprimatur of the executive to progress a long-term, multi-faceted obesity prevention strategy, which has successfully reversed childhood trends. Through the involvement of external researchers and the extensive use of empirical data from a wide range of participants, this study offers a unique insight into the ways in which this was achieved. While some of the aspects of the reforms in New York City are unique to that setting at that time, there are important lessons that are transferable to other urban settings. These include: strong and consistent leadership; a commitment to innovative approaches and cross-sectoral collaboration; and a context to support and encourage this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Kelly
- ACT Health, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Alexandra J M Greig
- ACT Health, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Department of Health, Australian Government, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Karen K Lee
- Dr. Karen Lee Health+Built Environment+Social Determinants Consulting, New York City, NY, USA; School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Public Health Initiatives in New York City During the Bloomberg Administration. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2015; 21:323-4. [DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000000241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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