Introduction: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) disease remains a leading cause of UK mortality, generating a large and unequal burden of disease. Dietary trans-fats represent a powerful CHD risk factor. However, UK efforts to reduce the dietary intake of trans-fats (currently 1% of daily energy) have been limited in comparison with some other nations. Furthermore, quantifying the potential outcomes of such measures, and the effects on health inequalities has rarely been researched. We therefore modelled the effect of specific reductions in trans fatty acid (TFA) intake on CHD mortality, CHD related admissions and its effect on socioeconomic inequalities up to 2030. Methods: We extended the previously validated IMPACT model, to estimate the potential effects of reductions in TFA intake by 1% and 0.5% of daily energy upon the England and Wales population aged 25 years and above. We stratified these estimates by age, sex and Socioeconomic circumstances(SEC). We estimated a reduction in expected CHD deaths in 2030 attributable to a modest reduction in TF intake (-0.5% energy) and a complete ban (-1% energy). Main output measures were deaths prevented or postponed (DPP), life years gained (LYGs) and hospital admissions. Results: Reducing trans-fat consumption in the English and Welsh population by 1% of daily energy intake would result in approximately 3,900 fewer deaths per year; 10,000 fewer hospital admissions; and 37,000 additional life years. Smaller TFA reductions of 0.5% would yield approximately 1,900 fewer deaths, 5,000 fewer hospital admissions, and gain approximately 18,000 life years. Further, reducing trans-fats consumption to 0.5% across all SECs would reduce health inequalities. Three times as many DPPs and LYGs would be observed in the most deprived compared with the most affluent groups. Conclusions: Reducing dietary trans-fat intakes could substantially decrease CHD mortality and hospital admissions, gaining thousands of life years. Crucially, this policy could also reduce health inequalities. Strategies should therefore aim to achieve the lowest possible trans-fats intakes, as successfully achieved in many other European countries. However, such policies currently remain underused in the UK, generating an avoidable and unequal burden on the health services and on society.
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