scholarly journals Nutrition Policies in Germany: A Systematic Assessment with the Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Peter von Philipsborn ◽  
Karin Geffert ◽  
Carmen Klinger ◽  
Antje Hebestreit ◽  
Jan Stratil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Food Marketing ◽  
Consultation Process ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
Key Policy

Abstract Objective: To systematically assess Germany’s nutrition policies, to benchmark them against international best practices, and to identify priority policy actions to improve population-level nutrition in Germany. Design: We applied the Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI), a methodological framework developed by the INFORMAS network. Qualitative content analysis of laws, directives and other documents formed the basis of a multi-staged, structured consultation process. Setting: Germany. Participants: The expert consultation process included 55 experts from academia, public administration, and civil society. Results: Germany lags behind international best practices in several key policy areas. For 18 policy indicators, the degree of implementation compared to international best practices was rated as very low, for 21 as low, for 8 as intermediate, and for none as high. In particular, indicators on food taxation, regulation of food marketing, and retail and food service sector policies were rated as very low to low. Identified priority actions included the binding implementation of nutrition standards for schools and kindergartens, a reform of the value added tax on foods and beverages, a sugar-sweetened beverage tax and stricter regulation of food marketing directed at children. Conclusions: The results show that Germany makes insufficient use of the potential of evidence-informed health-promoting nutrition policies. Adopting international best practices in key policy areas could help to reduce the burden of nutrition-related chronic disease and related inequalities in nutrition and health in Germany. Implementation of relevant policies requires political leadership, a broad societal dialogue, and evidence-informed advocacy by civil society, including the scientific community.

scholarly journals Nutrition Policies in Germany: A Systematic Assessment with the Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter von Philipsborn ◽  
Karin Geffert ◽  
Carmen Klinger ◽  
Antje Hebestreit ◽  
Jan M Stratil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Food Marketing ◽  
Consultation Process ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
Key Policy

Objective: To systematically assess Germany's nutrition policies, to benchmark them against international best practices, and to identify priority policy actions to improve population-level nutrition in Germany. Design: We applied the Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI), a methodological framework developed by the INFORMAS network. Qualitative content analysis of laws, directives and other documents formed the basis of a multi-staged, structured consultation process. Setting: Germany. Participants: The expert consultation process included 55 experts from academia, public administration, and civil society. Results: Germany lags behind international best practices in several key policy areas. For 18 policy indicators, the degree of implementation compared to international best practices was rated as very low, for 21 as low, for 8 as intermediate, and for none as high. In particular, indicators on food taxation, regulation of food marketing, and retail and food service sector policies were rated as very low to low. Identified priority actions included the binding implementation of nutrition standards for schools and kindergartens, a reform of the value added tax on foods and beverages, a sugar-sweetened beverage tax and stricter regulation of food marketing directed at children. Conclusions: The results show that Germany makes insufficient use of the potential of evidence-informed health-promoting nutrition policies. Adopting international best practices in key policy areas could help to reduce the burden of nutrition-related chronic disease and related inequalities in nutrition and health in Germany. Implementation of relevant policies requires political leadership, a broad societal dialogue, and evidence-informed advocacy by civil society, including the scientific community. Keywords: nutrition, food environments, public policies, public health, health promotion

scholarly journals Has the Netherlands created a healthy food environment for its citizens? Application of the Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S K Djojosoeparto ◽  
C B M Kamphuis ◽  
F van Lenthe ◽  
M P Poelman
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
National Level ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
National Prevention ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study

Abstract Background Healthy food environments have the potential to improve population nutrition and decrease NCDs. The aim of the study was to assess the efforts of the National Government in the Netherlands towards creating healthier food environments using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI). Methods We compiled evidence on national food environment policies in the Netherlands for each of the 47 indicators. This document has been verified for completeness and accuracy by Dutch governmental officials. A panel of independent, nongovernment experts specialized in nutrition, obesity or chronic diseases, was provided with this evidence and rated the extent of implementation of Dutch policies by benchmarking these policies against international best practices during an online survey in May-July 2020. The experts also rated to which extent policies could lead to a decrease or widening of socio-economic inequalities in dietary intake. In addition, experts formulated actions to improve food environment policies in the Netherlands. Results This is the first interdisciplinary study to assess food environment policies developed and set by the Netherlands. The overview of national level policies resulted in a evidence document, describing policies (or the lack thereof) for each of the 47 indicators. The evidence document shows that the Netherlands has mostly voluntary policies, mainly through the National Prevention Agreement (launched in 2018) and Agreement on Product Improvement (launched in 2014). Results from the online survey and the formulated actions will be presented during the conference. The results will reflect the experts' ratings supported by documented evidence and will provide meaningful guidance to governmental officials and public health advocates in their efforts to improve the food environment policies in the Netherlands.

scholarly journals An assessment of implementation gaps and priority recommendations on food environment policies: the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) in Japan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
Miwa Yamaguchi ◽  
Marika Nomura ◽  
Yusuke Arai ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Boyd Swinburn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Japanese Government ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
Implementation Gaps

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to evaluate policies and actions for food environments by the Japanese Government using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI). Design: Public health experts rated the extent of implementation of food environment-related the Policy and the Infrastructure-support components, compared to international best practices. Subsequently, the experts proposed and prioritized future actions to address implementation gaps in an online workshop. Setting: Japan Participants: A total of 66 experts rated policy implementation by the Japanese Government, and 23 participated in the workshop on future actions. Results: The implementations of regulations on unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages were rated low in the domains of Food composition, Food labelling, Food promotion, Food prices, and Food retail in the Policy component. The implementations of several domains in the Infrastructure-support component were, overall, rated at a higher level, specifically for monitoring and intelligence systems. Based on the rating, reducing health inequalities by supporting people, both economically and physically, was the highest priority for future actions in both components. Conclusions: This study found that Japan has a robust system for long-term monitoring of population health but lacks regulations on unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages compared to international best practices. This study confirmed the importance of continuous accumulation of evidence through national monitoring systems. Developing comprehensive regulations to restrict food marketing, sales, and accessibility of unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages are needed to improve the health of food environments in Japan.

An 11‐country study to benchmark the implementation of recommended nutrition policies by national governments using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index, 2015‐2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (S2) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Simon Barquera ◽  
Gabriela Caceres ◽  
Camila Corvalan ◽  
Tilakavati Karupaiah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Environment Policy ◽  
Nutrition Policies ◽  
Country Study ◽  
National Governments

ANALYSIS OF THE NATURE OF THE EUROPEAN DIGITAL TAX IN COMPARISON WITH THE CURRENT VAT SYSTEM AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY AND MANAGEMENT OF ECONOMIC ENTITIES

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
S. V. ZAYTSEV ◽  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Value Added ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Value Added Tax ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
The Many

In March 2018 the European Commission presented a proposal to adopt a digital services tax (DST) on certain types of revenues of multinational digital Companies. The purpose of the digital services tax is to compensate in the short term for the low level of corporate taxation of these companies in the European Union and thus meet the urgent need of civil society for greater tax fairness. DST is presented as an indirect tax on turnover and is often compared to value-added tax (VAT). In this article, the author seeks to highlight the many differences that exist between the harmonized European Union VAT and the new DST. In addition, the author challenges the idea that the DST will actually be an indirect tax and, most importantly, that it will effectively increase tax justice in the European Union.

scholarly journals “BUT WE ARE NOT POWERLESS AGAINST THIS PROBLEM”: OLDER PEOPLE, LONELINESS AND THE MEDIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S373-S374
Author(s):  
Mary Pat Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Media Campaigns ◽  
Key Policy ◽  
The Media ◽  
Cultural Constructions

Abstract Media campaigns play a critical role in framing public perceptions or ‘public talk’ around social issues. The media’s role in characterizing the loneliness ‘problem’ is, however, an under explored area. This paper presents the language of loneliness and loneliness representations in the media in Canada and England over a 10-year period (2009-2018) and their relationship with key policy initiatives specific to an ageing population. Using qualitative content analysis, the findings illustrate the use of skilled marketing techniques and highly stigmatizing discourse. These media approaches act to: (1) reinforce the threat of an ageing population; (2) endorse responsibilization and governmentality of the body; and (3) promote individual and/or family shame and morally responsible actions by charities and volunteers. We conclude that there is a need for a critical analysis of loneliness from the perspective of social and cultural constructions of ageing, the positioning of older people in society, and neo-liberalist ideology

Patient involvement in consultation for atrial fibrillation – the cardiologists’ perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulla Hellström Muhli ◽  
Jan Trost ◽  
Eleni Siouta
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Patient Involvement ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Medical Consultation ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Consultation Process ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the accounts of Swedish cardiologists concerning patient involvement in consultations for atrial fibrillation (AF). The questions were: how cardiologists handle and provide scope for patient involvement in medical consultations regarding AF treatment and how cardiologists describe their familiarity with shared decision-making. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive study was designed. Ten interviews with cardiologists at four Swedish hospitals were held, and a qualitative content analysis was performed on the collected data. Findings The analysis shows cardiologists’ accounts of persuasive practice, protective practice, professional role and medical craftsmanship when it comes to patient involvement and shared decision-making. The term “shared decision-making” implies a concept of not only making one decision but also ensuring that it is finalised with a satisfactory agreement between both parties involved, the patient as well as the cardiologist. In order for the idea of patient involvement to be fulfilled, the two parties involved must have equal power, which can never actually be guaranteed. Research limitations/implications Methodologically, this paper reflects the special contribution that can be made by the research design of descriptive qualitative content analysis (Krippendorff, 2004) to reveal and understand cardiologists’ perspectives on patient involvement and participation in medical consultation and shared decision-making. The utility of this kind of analysis is to find what cardiologists said and how they arrived at their understanding about patient involvement. Accordingly, there is no quantification in this type of research. Practical implications Cardiologists should prioritise patient involvement and participation in decision-making regarding AF treatment decisions in consultations when trying to meet the request of patient involvement. Originality/value Theoretically, the authors have learned that the patient involvement and shared decision-making requires the ability to see patients as active participants in the medical consultation process.

Civil Society Engagement in Trade Negotiations: CAFTA Opposition Movements in El Salvador

2007 ◽  
Vol 49 (04) ◽  
pp. 85-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rose J. Spalding
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
El Salvador ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Central American ◽  
Limited Participation ◽  
Consultation Process ◽  
Civil Society Participation ◽  
Opposition Movements

Abstract This article analyzes civil society participation in the free trade debate by focusing on networks that opposed the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in El Salvador. Drawing on documents, direct observation, and semistructured interviews with civil society leaders, two kinds of opposition coalitions are identified. “Critic negotiators,” emphasizing active engagement and policy research, used the limited participation space opened by authorities to push for reform. “Transgressive resisters,” repudiating the formal consultation process, deployed confrontational tactics and posed more fundamental challenges. This work uses social movement theory to explore coalition resource mobilization, the role of movement entrepreneurs, strategic decisionmaking, mechanisms linking local and transnational activists, and the dynamics of intramovement competition.

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