Examining Public Health Partnership with the Private Sector through the Lens of Power and Commercial Determinants of Health

Abstract

As public health/private sector partnerships have proliferated, discussions around their advantages and disadvantages have suffered from a lack of nuance. Some embrace these partnerships as “win-win” opportunities while others focus exclusively on the perils of such partnerships. Applying the lens of power and commercial determinants of health, this commentary explores the complexities of public health/private sector partnerships, examining the role of both corporate and community power, as well as the full spectrum of for-profit interests, from small, local businesses to large, multinational corporations and industry associations. This commentary suggests there may be value in defaulting to arm’s length relationships with large corporations and industry associations and more proactively partnering with locally rooted small and midsize businesses, while still carefully considering the potential perils and benefits of each. More comprehensive norms and guidelines to assess potential conflicts of interest and govern public health/private sector interactions broadly are necessary, such that the ability of for-profit interests to harm public health – and their ability to manipulate science, policy, and public conversation – is curtailed. These concerns are especially salient with respect to large corporations and industry associations, particularly those whose products, services, treatment of workers, and environmental impact are detrimental to public health. By shifting the focus of public health/private sector partnerships upstream to address underlying social, commercial, and political determinants of health and partnering more effectively with local businesses, public health professionals can leverage partnerships with the private sector in ways that strengthen community power and benefit the public’s health and well-being.