Mechanisms for addressing and managing the influence of corporations on public health policy, research and practice: a scoping review

ObjectiveWe identified mechanisms for addressing and/or managing the influence of corporations on public health policy, research and practice, as well as examples of where these mechanisms have been adopted from across the globe.DesignWe conducted a scoping review. We conducted searches in five databases on 4 June 2019. Twenty-eight relevant institutions and networks were contacted to identify additional mechanisms and examples. In addition, we identified mechanisms and examples from our collective experience working on the influence of corporations on public health policy, research and practice.SettingWe identified mechanisms at the national, regional and global levels.ResultsThirty-one documents were included in our review. Eight were peer-reviewed scientific articles. Nine discussed mechanisms to address and/or manage the influence of different types of industries; while other documents targeted specific industries. In total, we identified 49 mechanisms for addressing and/or managing the influence of corporations on public health policy, research and practice, and 43 of these were adopted at the national, regional or global level. We identified four main types of mechanisms: transparency; management of interactions with industry and of conflicts of interest; identification, monitoring and education about the practices of corporations and associated risks to public health; prohibition of interactions with industry. Mechanisms for governments (n=17) and academia (n=13) were most frequently identified, with fewer for the media and civil society.ConclusionsWe identified several mechanisms that could help address and/or manage the negative influence of corporations on public health policy, research and practice. If adopted and evaluated more widely, many of the mechanisms described in this manuscript could contribute to efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases.Trial registration detailsThe protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework on 27 May 2019 (https://osf.io/xc2vp).

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Mapping of food industry strategies to influence public health policy, research and practice in South Africa

International Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1007/s00038-020-01407-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 65 (7) ◽

pp. 1027-1036 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mélissa Mialon ◽

Eric Crosbie ◽

Gary Sacks

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

South Africa ◽

Health Policy ◽

Public Health Policy ◽

Food Industry ◽

Policy Research ◽

Research And Practice

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Academic Collaborative Centre Limburg: A platform for knowledge transfer and exchange in public health policy, research and practice?

Health Policy ◽

10.1016/j.healthpol.2013.04.004 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 111 (2) ◽

pp. 175-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Marjan Hoeijmakers ◽

Janneke Harting ◽

Maria Jansen

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Knowledge Transfer ◽

Public Health Policy ◽

Policy Research ◽

Research And Practice ◽

Knowledge Transfer And Exchange

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A call to advance and translate research into policy on governance, ethics, and conflicts of interest in public health: the GECI-PH network

Globalization and Health ◽

10.1186/s12992-021-00660-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rima Nakkash ◽

Melissa Mialon ◽

Jihad Makhoul ◽

Monika Arora ◽

Rima Afifi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Private Sector ◽

Public Health Policy ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Policy Research ◽

Common Interest ◽

Undue Influence ◽

Ample Evidence ◽

Multi Stakeholder

AbstractEfforts to adopt public health policies that would limit the consumption of unhealthy commodities, such as tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed food products, are often undermined by private sector actors whose profits depend on the sales of such products. There is ample evidence showing that these corporations not only try to influence public health policy; they also shape research, practice and public opinion. Globalization, trade and investment agreements, and privatization, amongst other factors, have facilitated the growing influence of private sector actors on public health at both national and global levels. Protecting and promoting public health from the undue influence of private sector actors is thus an urgent task. With this backdrop in mind, we launched the “Governance, Ethics, and Conflicts of Interest in Public Health” Network (GECI-PH Network) in 2018. Our network seeks to share, collate, promote and foster knowledge on governance, ethical, and conflicts of interest that arise in the interactions between private sectors actors and those in public health, and within multi-stakeholder mechanisms where dividing lines between different actors are often blurred. We call for strong guidance to address and manage the influence of private sector actors on public health policy, research and practice, and for dialogue on this important topic. Our network recently reached 119 members. Membership is diverse in composition and expertise, location, and institutions. We invite colleagues with a common interest to join our network.

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Food industry influence on public health policy, research and practice in Latin America

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.321 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Mialon ◽

E Perez ◽

C Corvalan ◽

C Monteiro ◽

P Jaime ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Latin America ◽

Health Policy ◽

Public Health Policy ◽

Food Industry ◽

Policy Research ◽

Health Policies ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Public Health Policies ◽

Research And Practice

Abstract One of the key barriers to the development of public health policies, such as restrictions on marketing of unhealthy foods to children, is the influence of corporations, also known as corporate political activity' (CPA). This project aimed to identify the CPA of the food industry in Brazil, Colombia and Chile, over a 2-year period. This research consisted of a document analysis of publicly available information triangulated with interviews. It contributed to, and was based on methods developed by INFORMAS (International Network for Food and Obesity / non-communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support), which aims to monitor food environments. In all three countries, the food industry lobbied against public health policies and had direct access to high ranking officials and policy makers. It also shifted the blame away from its products in the obesity and non-communicable diseases epidemic onto individuals and their lack of education. In Brazil, the food industry was active against a new front-of-pack labeling, setting up its own website to promote an alternative model and self-regulation. In Colombia, the food industry captured the media and had strong ties with the government, including through nutrition programmes. Public health advocates felt unsafe when speaking against the industry or its products. In Chile, despite advances with the introduction of public health policies to limit the sales and marketing of unhealthy products, the food industry, including the sweeteners industry, which was not affected by the recent legislation, was still influencing policy, research and practice. Food industry actors, including local companies and transnationals, used several CPA strategies in Latin America to try and influence public health policy, research and practice. It is urgent that policy makers, academics and other individuals in public health are aware of these practices and equipped with solutions to address undue influence by the food industry Key messages In Latin America, the food industry used several CPA practices, which collectively could have a negative influence on public health policy, research and practice. These practices could delay efforts to protect and promote public health in the region.

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