Tag: Public health policy

Over two billion people worldwide suffer from 'hidden hunger' due to micronutrient deficiencies, a silent and serious public health threat. One of the most effective interventions to combat this is food fortification, which functions as a key primary prevention strategy to protect and improve population-wide health before deficiencies lead to disease.

According to the CDC, from 1998 to 2018, there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk, resulting in 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. Concerns over these outbreaks and the presence of dangerous bacteria are the primary reason why they are trying to ban raw milk sales in many jurisdictions.

Founded in 1942, the Harvard Department of Nutrition was the first of its kind in the world, and today the current head of nutrition at Harvard University is Dr. Frank Hu. Dr. Hu is a prominent researcher known for his extensive work on the epidemiology of chronic diseases and the impact of diet and lifestyle.

According to UNICEF, a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been demonstrated to reduce the prevalence of overweight by 1–3% and the prevalence of obesity by 1–4%. These findings highlight the significant and multifaceted effects or consequences to the implementation of a sweetened beverage tax, which extend across public health, consumer behavior, and economic factors.

Studies reveal that introducing a tax equivalent to a 10% increase on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has consistently led to an average decline in SSB purchases and dietary intake of 10.0%, according to a systematic review. This evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of such fiscal policies in influencing consumer behavior.

According to the World Health Organization, a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages can lead to a 20% reduction in consumption. This statistic highlights the core purpose of a sugar tax and provides a starting point to understand why is the sugar tax good for both individual and public well-being.

In 2012, Mexico had one of the world's highest per capita consumption rates of sugary beverages, with citizens consuming an average of 163 liters annually. This contributed to a severe public health crisis, prompting the government to implement a 'soda tax' as a key part of its strategy to combat soaring rates of obesity and diabetes.

In 2018, Seattle implemented a Sweetened Beverage Tax of 1.75 cents per ounce on distributors, a local initiative rather than a statewide mandate. This tax, which is largely passed on to consumers through higher prices, often leads residents and visitors to ask about the sugar tax across the entire state of Washington.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fortification of enriched cereal grain products with folic acid has led to a significant decrease in the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) since its implementation. The decision to fortify with the synthetic version, folic acid, rather than the naturally occurring nutrient, folate, is rooted in key differences in stability, bioavailability, and a public health-focused approach to disease prevention.

According to the World Health Organization, diet is one of the single most important contributors to malnutrition, encompassing undernutrition and obesity. A food guide serves as a foundational tool to combat this, translating complex nutritional science into simple, accessible advice for the public.