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Droog NMS, Dijkstra CS, van Selm N, Poelman MP, Mackenbach JD. Unveiling viewpoints on national food environment policies in the Dutch newspaper discourse: an interpretative media content analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2024; 21:80. [PMID: 39049081 PMCID: PMC11267762 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-024-01625-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND National food environment policies can contribute to the reduction of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Yet, their implementation in the Netherlands remains low. It has been hypothesized that the media can play a pivotal role in inducing spikes in policy attention, thereby shaping political action. The aim of this study was to examine the discourse on food policies in Dutch newspaper articles between 2000-2022, by analyzing arguments used by various actors. METHODS A systematic search in Nexis Uni was used to identify newspaper articles that covered national-level Dutch food environment policies published in seven Dutch national newspapers between 2000-2022. Covered policies were classified into six domains including food composition, labeling, promotion, prices, provision and retail and into the four stages of the policy cycle; policy formulation, decision-making, implementation, and evaluation. A grey literature search was used to identify food policies implemented during 2000-2022. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize coverage of policies over time, policy type and policy stage. An interpretive content analysis was performed on a random subsample of the newspaper articles to determine the actors, viewpoints and arguments of the food policies. RESULTS We identified 896 relevant newspaper articles. The coverage of food policies in newspapers was initially low but peaked in 2018/2021/2022. Through grey literature search we identified 6 food policies which were implemented or adjusted between 2000-2022. The majority of the newspaper articles reported on food pricing policies and were discussed in the policy formulation stage. Academics (mainly supportive) were the most and food industry (mostly opposing) the least cited actors. Supportive arguments highlighted health consequences, health inequalities and collective responsibility, whereas opposing arguments focused on unwanted governmental interference and ineffectiveness of policies. CONCLUSIONS Dutch newspaper articles covering food policies represented a variety of actors and arguments, with individual versus collective responsibility for food choices playing a central role in the arguments. These insights may serve as a basis for further research into why certain arguments are used and their effect on policy attention and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nine M S Droog
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Coosje S Dijkstra
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Naomi van Selm
- Department of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maartje P Poelman
- Chair Group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Joreintje D Mackenbach
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Upstream Team, http://www.upstreamteam.nl, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Gilmore AB, van den Akker A. Protecting future generations from commercially driven health harms: lessons from tobacco control. Lancet 2024; 404:221-223. [PMID: 38824940 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)01128-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna B Gilmore
- Tobacco Control Research Group and Centre for 21st Century Public Health, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - Amber van den Akker
- Tobacco Control Research Group and Centre for 21st Century Public Health, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
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Aravena-Rivas Y, Heilmann A, Watt RG, Broomhead T, Tsakos G. Analysis of public records of lobbying practices of the ultra-processed sugary food and drink industries in Chile: a qualitative study. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 35:100794. [PMID: 39100991 PMCID: PMC11294830 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Background Given the role of commercial determinants on sugar consumption and health, this study aimed to describe lobbying practices of the ultra-processed sugary food and drinks industries in Chile between 2014 and 2022. Methods Official meetings between ultra-processed sugary food and drinks industries and related commercial actors and Chilean government officials were obtained from the Chilean Lobby Registry. Relevant commercial names were initially identified based on their market share and expanded iteratively based on information from relevant meetings. Qualitative analysis followed a deductive-inductive approach using the Corporate Political Activity Model to identify and classify objectives, framing and action strategies. Findings From 237 records identified, the Ministries of Health, Social Development, and Economy were the most frequently lobbied. Industry representatives sought to achieve their short- and long-term objectives by targeting a diverse range of authorities, including Ministers and Under-secretaries, using different strategies. Framing strategies focused on presenting sugary food and drinks industries as socially responsible and legitimate policy actors and criticised public health initiatives as 'bad solutions'. Action strategies aimed to influence policymaking and nurture corporate reputations. Interpretation Extensive lobbying took place by the sugary food and drinks industries between 2014 and 2022, a period when major public health policies were being discussed in Chile. Lobbying strategies varied to meet industry objectives and targeted a diverse range of government institutions including high-ranking officials. Tighter regulations to stop inappropriate industry influence in public health policymaking are urgently required. Funding Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (Chile)-PhD Scholarship. University College London-Open Access fees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanela Aravena-Rivas
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Anja Heilmann
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Richard G. Watt
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Tom Broomhead
- Unit of Oral Health, Dentistry and Society, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2TA, UK
| | - Georgios Tsakos
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
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Maani N, van Schalkwyk MC, Wiseman A, Petticrew M. Commercially driven efforts to frame alcohol harms have no place in UK health policy development. BMJ 2024; 385:q800. [PMID: 38575194 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
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Fialon M, Nabec L, Julia C. Understanding the influence of stakeholders on the implementation of front-of-pack nutrition labelling in the absence of public debate: the case of Portugal. Health Res Policy Syst 2024; 22:20. [PMID: 38326884 PMCID: PMC10848542 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-01065-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In the context of the European Commission's proposal for the harmonization of front-of-pack nutrition labels (FoPLs) across the European Union scheduled for 2023, Portugal's position on the preferred format to be adopted remains unclear. Our study aims to (1) describe the context of the political decision regarding FoPL's implementation in Portugal, (2) identify and characterize the actors involved in the debate and (3) evaluate their influence in the decision-making process and their position on the various formats of FoPLs considered. A document review complemented by a qualitative study with eight experts revealed the actors involved in the implementation of FoPLs in Portugal. The stakeholder theory was used to qualify their level of influence on the decision. To complement the experts' analysis, the views of 1014 Portuguese consumers on stakeholders' influence were collected via an online questionnaire. The results show a strong mobilization of the Portuguese Ministry of Health on the issue through the production of several technical and scientific reports. The background of the political decision related to FoPLs in Portugal highlights the commitment of some influential stakeholders in favour of the traffic light format, including one of the major Portuguese retailers, Continente. Nevertheless, in the face of public support for the Nutri-Score from a growing number of actors, Portugal has not yet adopted a specific format, partly due to some resistance from the agricultural sector. Portugal, by lack of consensus and agenda setting, is now awaiting formal harmonization of FoPLs by the European Commission. This study provides useful insights for public policy actors when promoting interventional measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Fialon
- Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Sorbonne Paris Nord University/INSERM U1153/INRAE U1125/CNAM, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, University of Paris (CRESS), 93017, Bobigny, France.
| | - Lydiane Nabec
- Centre de Recherche Réseaux, Innovation, Territoire et Mondialisation (RITM), Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
| | - Chantal Julia
- Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Sorbonne Paris Nord University/INSERM U1153/INRAE U1125/CNAM, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, University of Paris (CRESS), 93017, Bobigny, France.
- Public Health Department, Avicenne Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), 93017, Bobigny, France.
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van Schalkwyk MCI, Hawkins B, Petticrew M, Maani N, Garde A, Reeves A, McKee M. Agnogenic practices and corporate political strategy: the legitimation of UK gambling industry-funded youth education programmes. Health Promot Int 2024; 39:daad196. [PMID: 38234277 PMCID: PMC10794875 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Agnogenic practices-designed to create ignorance or doubt-are well-established strategies employed by health-harming industries (HHI). However, little is known about their use by industry-funded organizations delivering youth education programmes. We applied a previously published framework of corporate agnogenic practices to analyse how these organizations used them in three UK gambling industry-funded youth education programmes. Evidential strategies adopted previously by other HHI are prominent in the programmes' practitioner-facing materials, evaluation design and reporting and in public statements about the programmes. We show how agnogenic practices are employed to portray these youth education programmes as 'evidence-based' and 'evaluation-led'. These practices distort the already limited evidence on these educational initiatives while legitimizing industry-favourable policies, which prioritize commercial interests over public health. Given the similarities in political strategies adopted by different industries, these findings are relevant to research and policy on other HHI.
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Affiliation(s)
- May C I van Schalkwyk
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Pl, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Benjamin Hawkins
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambrdige CB2 0SL, UK
| | - Mark Petticrew
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Pl, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Nason Maani
- Global Health Policy Unit, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh Chrystal Macmillan Building 15a George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LD, UK
| | - Amandine Garde
- Law & NCD Unit, School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZR, UK
| | - Aaron Reeves
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, Barnett House, 32 -37 Wellington Square, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2ER, UK
| | - Martin McKee
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Pl, London WC1H 9SH, UK
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Madden M, Bartlett A, McCambridge J. Constructing public-private partnerships to undermine the public interest: critical discourse analysis of Working Together published by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking. Global Health 2023; 19:103. [PMID: 38104100 PMCID: PMC10725627 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-023-01000-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global burden of alcohol harm has increased and is forecast to grow further without effective policy implementation. Public-private partnerships aiming to address global health, and other societal challenges, are a burgeoning feature of neoliberal governance. Rhetorically distancing themselves from tobacco, the major alcohol companies are committed to tackling 'harmful drinking' and have created a distinct type of public relations organization for this purpose. The activities of such organizations are increasingly recognized as an impediment to the implementation of policies to reduce alcohol harm, including in low- and middle-income countries where markets are expanding. METHODS The approach of critical discourse analysis is used to examine the discursive tactics and strategies used in Working Together; a 'toolkit' published by the key global level alcohol industry public relations organization, the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD). This study considers how it works discursively to set the terms of, and overcome skepticism about partnerships, to define aims and position various actors by constructing their roles. The construction of prospective partners provides insights into the alcohol industry itself. RESULTS The toolkit operates as an ideological resource for forming public-private partnerships across the world based on the accumulated know-how of the major companies through IARD. This allows the largest alcohol companies to exercise leadership of the industry, while remaining off-stage. The toolkit relies on a form of rhetorical work which creates distance from obvious corporate interests and the harms caused to population health and society. This is accomplished by working against evidence-informed population level approaches, and thus avoiding policies that will make any significant difference to overall alcohol harm. Unspecific "complexity" affords opportunity for preferred types of "actions", and "partnership" provides opportunity to gain credibility by association, further minimizing the likelihood of any material harm being reduced. CONCLUSIONS The toolkit is designed to not only legitimate the inclusion of alcohol industry actors as initiating 'partners', but also assigns them roles as managers of a set of carefully constructed relationships. This vision of public-private partnership reproduces the hegemonic narrative that has successfully blocked policy advances for decades and led to growing alcohol harm globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Madden
- Department of Health Sciences, Seebohm Rowntree Building, University of York, Heslington, York, England.
| | - Andrew Bartlett
- Department of Health Sciences, Seebohm Rowntree Building, University of York, Heslington, York, England
| | - Jim McCambridge
- Department of Health Sciences, Seebohm Rowntree Building, University of York, Heslington, York, England
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Hartwell G, Gilmore AB, van Schalkwyk MCI, McKee M. Sunak's smoke-free generation: spare a thought for the tobacco industry. BMJ 2023; 383:2922. [PMID: 38086563 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.p2922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Greg Hartwell
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Anna B Gilmore
- Tobacco Control Research Group and Beacon for 21st Century Public Health, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | | | - Martin McKee
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Matthes BK, Alebshehy R, Gilmore AB. "They try to suppress us, but we should be louder": a qualitative exploration of intimidation in tobacco control. Global Health 2023; 19:88. [PMID: 37974216 PMCID: PMC10655405 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-023-00991-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tobacco control advocates and researchers face powerful opponents who go to great lengths to protect their interests. While threats and attacks are documented in the grey literature, research into intimidation remains scarce. Building on previous exploratory research, this study seeks to offer in-depth insights into experiences of intimidation in the global tobacco control community. METHODS Using qualitative description, we conducted a focus group and semi-structured interviews with tobacco control advocates and researchers to explore their experiences, including forms of, and responses to, intimidation, and ways forward. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Twenty-nine individuals from across the globe participated in the study. They reported several forms of intimidation including attacks in the media; online harassment; legal threats; non-legal threats, including death threats; Freedom of Information requests; perceived or actual surveillance; as well as burglary and theft. Responses included non-action (i.e. ignoring attacks); withdrawal (i.e. abandoning a project, area or field); defensive adaptation, for example through self-censorship; and offensive measures, including exposing attacks or filing complaints. Responses were shaped by several factors, including type and level of support from within internal and external networks; as well as an individual's mindset, skills and experiences; and state-civil society relations. Participants suggested several measures that could help address intimidation: 1) report and monitor intimidation; 2) (better) prepare individuals through awareness raising and training (e.g. IT security, legal); 3) support those in need through legal advice, a peer-support network and involvement in response; and 4) look beyond tobacco control to learn and build connections. CONCLUSION Intimidation is a significant challenge to tobacco control that needs urgent attention. This study suggests measures to address intimidation that require commitment from, and collaboration amongst, multiple actors including governments, international organisations, funders, researchers and civil society. Moreover, collective action beyond tobacco control is needed to not only manage but move beyond intimidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta K Matthes
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA27AY, UK.
| | - Raouf Alebshehy
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA27AY, UK
| | - Anna B Gilmore
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA27AY, UK
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Thomas S, Cowlishaw S, Francis J, van Schalkwyk MCI, Daube M, Pitt H, McCarthy S, McGee D, Petticrew M, Rwafa-Ponela T, Minja A, Fell G. Global public health action is needed to counter the commercial gambling industry. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad110. [PMID: 37738551 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Thomas
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sean Cowlishaw
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joel Francis
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - May C I van Schalkwyk
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mike Daube
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Hannah Pitt
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simone McCarthy
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Mark Petticrew
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Teurai Rwafa-Ponela
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Greg Fell
- Director of Public Health, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield, UK
- Vice President UK Association of Directors of Public Health, UK
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