Advancing public health policy making through research on the political strategies of alcohol industry actors.

Jim Mccambridge,Kypros Kypri,Mary Madden,Thomas F Babor,Trevor A Sheldon

doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdz031

Abstract

Development and implementation of evidence-based policies is needed in order to ameliorate the rising toll of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Alcohol is a key cause of the mortality burden and alcohol policies are under-developed. This is due in part to the global influence of the alcohol industry. We propose that a better understanding of the methods and the effectiveness of alcohol industry influence on public health policies will support efforts to combat such influence, and advance global health. Many of the issues on the research agenda we propose will inform, and be informed by, research into the political influence of other commercial actors.

Highlights

Alcohol was a cause of ~3 million deaths in 2016, and is the leading risk factor for mortality among people aged 15–49 years worldwide, as well as being responsible for extensive social problems.[1]
Controversies about the relationships between alcohol industry and public health actors, such as the recent Drinkaware—Public Health England partnership, to the detriment of public health[5] appear to be perennial. We argue in this ‘Perspectives’ paper that such episodes occur because the public health community understands too little about alcohol industry political strategies
Whilst evidence-informed national alcohol policies are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO),[2] they are resisted by the alcohol industry.[7]

Summary

Introduction

Alcohol was a cause of ~3 million deaths in 2016, and is the leading risk factor for mortality among people aged 15–49 years worldwide, as well as being responsible for extensive social problems.[1].

Results

Conclusion