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Background Unhealthy dietary patterns significantly contribute to rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Sri Lanka. The government has implemented policy measures to promote healthy dietary patterns, including the traffic light labelling (TLL) system for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in 2016 and taxation on SSBs in 2017. Objectives To analyse how ideas, institutions, and power dynamics influence the formulation and implementation of these two interventions, and to identify strategies for public health actors to advocate for more effective food environment policies in Sri Lanka. Methods This study drew on Kingdon’s theory of agenda-setting and Campbell’s institutionalist approach to develop the theoretical framework. We examined the political economy at the policy development and implementation stages, adopting a deductive framework approach for data collection and analysis. Data were collected from documents and key informants. Results NCDs and nutrition are recognised and framed as important policy issues in health-sector policy documents, and the SSB tax and TLL system are seen as means of improving diets and health. Sri Lanka’s commitment to addressing NCDs and nutrition-related issues is evident through these policies. The Ministry of Health led policy development, and key stakeholders were involved. However, there are opportunities to learn and strengthen policy in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. Limited involvement and commitment of some stakeholders in developing national policies, industry interferences, and other gaps resulted in weaker policy design. Gender considerations were also given minimal attention in policy formulation and implementation. Conclusions To enhance the effectiveness of the policies and regulations to promote healthy diets in Sri Lanka, comprehensive policy coverage, multistakeholder involvement and commitment to national policies, balanced power dynamics, technical feasibility, government commitment backed with high-level political support, awareness, and knowledge creation, managing industry interferences, integrating gender considerations are crucial factors.

Unhealthy dietary patterns significantly contribute to rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Sri Lanka. The government has implemented policy measures to promote healthy dietary patterns, including the traffic light labelling (TLL) system for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in 2016 and taxation on SSBs in 2017. To analyse how ideas, institutions, and power dynamics influence the formulation and implementation of these two interventions, and to identify strategies for public health actors to advocate for more effective food environment policies in Sri Lanka. This study drew on Kingdon's theory of agenda-setting and Campbell's institutionalist approach to develop the theoretical framework. We examined the political economy at the policy development and implementation stages, adopting a deductive framework approach for data collection and analysis. Data were collected from documents and key informants. NCDs and nutrition are recognised and framed as important policy issues in health-sector policy documents, and the SSB tax and TLL system are seen as means of improving diets and health. Sri Lanka's commitment to addressing NCDs and nutrition-related issues is evident through these policies. The Ministry of Health led policy development, and key stakeholders were involved. However, there are opportunities to learn and strengthen policy in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. Limited involvement and commitment of some stakeholders in developing national policies, industry interferences, and other gaps resulted in weaker policy design. Gender considerations were also given minimal attention in policy formulation and implementation. To enhance the effectiveness of the policies and regulations to promote healthy diets in Sri Lanka, comprehensive policy coverage, multistakeholder involvement and commitment to national policies, balanced power dynamics, technical feasibility, government commitment backed with high-level political support, awareness, and knowledge creation, managing industry interferences, integrating gender considerations are crucial factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) is increasing at an alarming rate, contributing to about 23% of the mortality in the rural and 30% of the total mortality in the urban population in India. Even with high health literacy in Kerala, the state has higher rates of NCD risk factors and lower diabetes and hypertension control rates. Aims: The objectives were to qualitatively assess the facilitators and barriers of NCD prevention from the patients' and health care providers' perspectives and assess the perceptions of healthy lifestyle behaviors among NCD risk persons and patients. Settings and Design: This was a qualitative study conducted in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Methods and Material: Qualitative study was conducted using the grounded theory approach. A total of nine in-depth interviews and ten focus group discussions were conducted among health care providers and NCD risk persons and patients. The audio-recorded data were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Statistical Analysis: The data were transcribed and analyzed using the Framework approach to qualitative data analysis. Results: The main themes identified were healthy lifestyle behaviors, facilitators, and barriers to NCD prevention. The main facilitators for NCD prevention were NCD screening, the national program for NCD, health education sessions, and yoga classes in school. Lack of time, laziness, unavailability of space for exercise, and safety issues were identified as barriers to physical activity. Conclusions: People are aware of the facilitators and barriers of NCD prevention. Availability of a favorable environment and behavior change is needed to combat the silent epidemic of NCDs.

Abstract Background Trade and health scholars have raised concern that international trade and particularly investment disputes may be used by transnational health harmful commodity corporations (THCCs) to effectively generate public health regulatory chill. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the limited evidence base of trade or investment dispute-related regulatory chill using a case study of nutrition and alcohol policy in South Africa. Methods We conducted 35 semi-structured interviews with 36 key stakeholders involved in nutrition, alcohol and/or trade/investment policymaking in South Africa. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. We used Schram et al’s theory on three forms of regulatory chill (anticipatory, response and precedential) to guide the analysis. We report evidence on each form of regulatory chill as well as specific contextual factors that may influence the risk of regulatory chill. Results Trade obligations were found to generate a significantly greater anticipatory-type chilling effect on nutrition and alcohol regulation than South Africa’s investment treaty obligations. Response chill was reported to have occurred in relation to South Africa’s proposed tobacco plain packaging regulation while awaiting the outcome of both Australia’s investor-state and WTO state-state disputes. No cases were reported of THCCs threatening an investor-state dispute over nutrition or food regulations, but there were reported cases of THCCs using arguments related to South Africa’s trade obligations to oppose policy action in these areas. No evidence of nutrition or alcohol policy precedential chill were identified. Factors affecting the risk of policy chill include legitimacy and perceived bias of the dispute system, costs involved in pursuing a regulation/defending a dispute and capacity to pay, social acceptability of the industry, a product’s perceived risk to health and confidence in a successful dispute outcome e.g. through cross-border policy learning. Conclusions Our findings indicate that currently, South Africa’s trade obligations have a more prominent role in inhibiting nutrition and alcohol action than investment treaty-related concerns. However, given the potential for wider use of the ISDS mechanism by THCCs in the future, strategies to protect public health policy space in the context of both international trade and investment treaty and dispute settlement contexts remain important.

Context: The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) is increasing at an alarming rate, contributing to about 23% of the mortality in the rural and 30% of the total mortality in the urban population in India. Even with high health literacy in Kerala, the state has higher rates of NCD risk factors and lower diabetes and hypertension control rates. Aims: The objectives were to qualitatively assess the facilitators and barriers of NCD prevention from the patients' and health care providers' perspectives and assess the perceptions of healthy lifestyle behaviors among NCD risk persons and patients. Settings and Design: This was a qualitative study conducted in Thrissur district, Kerala, India. Methods and Material: Qualitative study was conducted using the grounded theory approach. A total of nine in-depth interviews and ten focus group discussions were conducted among health care providers and NCD risk persons and patients. The audio-recorded data were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Statistical Analysis: The data were transcribed and analyzed using the Framework approach to qualitative data analysis. Results: The main themes identified were healthy lifestyle behaviors, facilitators, and barriers to NCD prevention. The main facilitators for NCD prevention were NCD screening, the national program for NCD, health education sessions, and yoga classes in school. Lack of time, laziness, unavailability of space for exercise, and safety issues were identified as barriers to physical activity. Conclusions: People are aware of the facilitators and barriers of NCD prevention. Availability of a favorable environment and behavior change is needed to combat the silent epidemic of NCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trade and health scholars have raised concern that international trade and particularly investment disputes may be used by transnational health harmful commodity corporations (THCCs) to effectively generate public health regulatory chill. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the limited evidence base of trade or investment dispute-related regulatory chill using a case study of nutrition and alcohol policy in South Africa.Methods: We conducted 35 semi-structured interviews with 36 key stakeholders involved in nutrition, alcohol and/or trade/investment policymaking in South Africa. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. We used Schram et al's theory on three forms of regulatory chill (anticipatory, response and precedential) to guide the analysis. We report evidence on each form of regulatory chill as well as specific contextual factors that may influence the risk of regulatory chill.Results: Trade obligations were found to generate a significantly greater anticipatory-type chilling effect on nutrition and alcohol regulation than South Africa's investment treaty obligations. Response chill was reported to have occurred in relation to South Africa's proposed tobacco plain packaging regulation while awaiting the outcome of both Australia's investor-state and WTO state-state disputes. No cases were reported of THCCs threatening an investor-state dispute over nutrition or food regulations, but there were reported cases of THCCs using arguments related to South Africa's trade obligations to oppose policy action in these areas. No evidence of nutrition or alcohol policy precedential chill were identified. Factors affecting the risk of policy chill include legitimacy and perceived bias of the dispute system, costs involved in pursuing a regulation/defending a dispute and capacity to pay, social acceptability of the industry, a product's perceived risk to health and confidence in a successful dispute outcome e.g. through cross-border policy learning.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that currently, South Africa's trade obligations have a more prominent role in inhibiting nutrition and alcohol action than investment treaty-related concerns. However, given the potential for wider use of the ISDS mechanism by THCCs in the future, strategies to protect public health policy space in the context of both international trade and investment treaty and dispute settlement contexts remain important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has brought to center stage the most important health issue of our era, largely ignored by policymakers and the public to date: non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the cause of 71% of deaths per year worldwide. People living with NCDs, and particularly those living with cardiovascular disease (CVD), are at higher risk of severe symptoms and death from COVID-19. As a result, the urgent need for policy measures to protect cardiovascular health is more apparent than ever. One example of “low-hanging fruit” in the prevention of CVD is the elimination of industrially-produced trans fatty acids (iTFA). Their removal from the global food supply could prevent up to 17 million deaths by 2040 and would be the first time an NCD risk factor has been eliminated.

Background: Food and beverages high in sugar are recognized to be among the major risk factors for nutrition-related non-communicable diseases. The growing presence of ultra-processed food producers has resulted in shifts to diets that are associated with non-communicable diseases and which include sugar-sweetened beverages. Sugar-sweetened beverage taxation presents an opportunity to prevent non-communicable diseases but it comes with challenges. Objectives: To describe the policy landscape, identify and analyse the facilitators of and barriers to strengthening taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages in Rwanda. Methods: We conducted a desk-based policy analysis to assess the facilitators of and barriers to strengthening sugary beverage taxation policy. We consulted eight stakeholders to validate the findings of the desk review. Results: Non-communicable diseases are recognized as a public health challenge in Government health and non-health policy documents. However, sugar intake is not explicitly identified as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases and existing policies do not clearly aim to reduce sugar consumption. The Rwandan Government's commitment to growing the local sugar industry and the substantial economic contribution of Rwandan beverage producers are potential barriers to fiscal policies aimed at reducing sugar consumption. However, the current 39% excise tax levied on all soft drinks could support the adoption of future sugar-sweetened beverage policies. Conclusions: The landscape for strengthening a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Rwanda is complex. The policy environment provides both facilitators of and impediments to strengthening the existing tax. A differential tax could be introduced by leveraging on the existing excise tax and linking it to the sugar content of beverages.

Background: Food and beverages high in sugar are recognized to be among the major risk factors for nutrition-related non-communicable diseases. The growing presence of ultra- processed food producers has resulted in shifts to diets that are associated with non- communicable diseases and which include sugar-sweetened beverages. Sugar-sweetened beverage taxation presents an opportunity to prevent non-communicable diseases but it comes with challenges. Objectives: To describe the policy landscape, identify and analyse the facilitators of and barriers to strengthening taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages in Rwanda. Methods: We conducted a desk-based policy analysis to assess the facilitators of and barriers to strengthening sugary beverage taxation policy. We consulted eight stakeholders to validate the findings of the desk review. Results: Non-communicable diseases are recognized as a public health challenge in Government health and non-health policy documents. However, sugar intake is not explicitly identified as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases and existing policies do not clearly aim to reduce sugar consumption. The Rwandan Government's commitment to growing the local sugar industry and the substantial economic contribution of Rwandan beverage producers are potential barriers to fiscal policies aimed at reducing sugar consumption. However, the current 39% excise tax levied on all soft drinks could support the adoption of future sugar-sweetened beverage policies. Conclusions: The landscape for strengthening a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Rwanda is complex. The policy environment provides both facilitators of and impediments to strengthening the existing tax. A differential tax could be introduced by leveraging on the existing excise tax and linking it to the sugar content of beverages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community-based approaches have been identified as an effective strategy to address the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. However, little is known about community as a concept among people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings and stakeholders’ interactions and engagement in NCDs prevention and management. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand; (1) the meaning of community among people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged suburbs in Region Stockholm and (2) how communities interact and engage with stakeholders at local and regional levels for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in three municipalities in Region Stockholm with a high proportion of migrants. Multiple data collection methods were used, including observations of community activities; interviews with community members, representatives of public authorities and NGOs; and group interviews with healthcare providers. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Community was perceived as living in close proximity with shared beliefs, values and resources. Although they recognized its social and cultural diversity, community members focused more on the commonalities of living in their neighborhood and less on their differences in country of birth and languages spoken. Several mismatches between awareness of community needs and the available skills and resources among stakeholders for T2D prevention were identified. Stakeholders expressed awareness of T2D risk and interest in addressing it in a culturally appropriate manner. Conclusion: Interaction between the communities and stakeholders was limited, as was engagement in T2D prevention and management. This highlights barriers in the collaboration between community, healthcare institutions and other stakeholders which consequently affect the implementation of preventive interventions. Innovative ways to link the community to the healthcare sector and other local government institutions are needed to build the capacity of health systems for T2D prevention in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

Background: Community-based approaches have been identified as an effective strategy to address the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. However, little is known about community as a concept among people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings and stakeholders' interactions and engagement in NCDs prevention and management. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand; (1) the meaning of community among people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged suburbs in Region Stockholm and (2) how communities interact and engage with stakeholders at local and regional levels for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in three municipalities in Region Stockholm with a high proportion of migrants. Multiple data collection methods were used, including observations of community activities; interviews with community members, representatives of public authorities and NGOs; and group interviews with healthcare providers. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Community was perceived as living in close proximity with shared beliefs, values and resources. Although they recognized its social and cultural diversity, community members focused more on the commonalities of living in their neighborhood and less on their differences in country of birth and languages spoken. Several mismatches between awareness of community needs and the available skills and resources among stakeholders for T2D prevention were identified. Stakeholders expressed awareness of T2D risk and interest in addressing it in a culturally appropriate manner. Conclusion: Interaction between the communities and stakeholders was limited, as was engagement in T2D prevention and management. This highlights barriers in the collaboration between community, healthcare institutions and other stakeholders which consequently affect the implementation of preventive interventions. Innovative ways to link the community to the healthcare sector and other local government institutions are needed to build the capacity of health systems for T2D prevention in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction: Since 2014, Swiss Red Cross has been running a "Community Action for Health" project in Belarus. Directly implemented by the Belarus Red Cross, the project is aimed at improving knowledge, changing attitudes and behaviour of the local population on such determinants of NCDs as physical activity and healthy nutrition via establishing Initiative Groups IGs in the communities. To identify effectiveness of the community mobilisation approach, a project end-line survey was done in March-July 2017. Theory/Methods: Community mobilisation was implemented in selected geographical areas of 5 pilot districts. Base-line data on NCD related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of people living in the pilot districts was collected in 2014. The end-line data collection was organised using quasi-experimental method. 1866 respondents were organised in three target groups TGs: 417 IGs members and volunteers with full coverage; a sample of 385 systematic random sampling from 76,500 people in pilot communities covered by the IGs' work; a sample of 1,067 people not covered by the IGs' work multistage samplings with district stratification at the first stage, rural/urban stratification at the second stage from 208,411 people living in the pilot districts. First two groups were considered as experimental, the third one - as a control group. The end-line results were also compared with the base-line data. Results: Not only people directly involved in the IGs - members and volunteers, - but also people "covered" by the IGs' work are more physically active ride a bicycle every day/few times a week 31.9% of "covered" population versus 19.2% of general population; go for a walk 71.4% versus 58.5% respectively. The IGs members/volunteers and the "covered" population reported switching to healthier diet 53.3% and 41.5% respectively and weight loss 29.2% and 20.1%. Discussions: How does the research - assess "spill over" effect of targeted interventions; - eliminates role of "external environmental factors" increased state attention to the NCD prevention over the recent years; - foster programme sustainability and development. Conclusions: The research showed a high degree of effectiveness of the community mobilization approach in improve both the health status and life quality improving subjective well-being, increasing communication of the population covered by the project activities. Survey results: broadly used for advocacy, played an important role in further geographical expansion of and stronger involvement of the state health institutions in community mobilization for NCD prevention. Lessons learned: Comparative analysis experimental and control groups made a stronger policy influence; Distribution of the information on the IGs work during interviews with the "non-covered" population target group 3 was a good strategy of involving new people/communities in NCD prevention. Limitations: Questions on subjective assessment of health and wellbeing change within the project timeframe were used only for the experimental groups. Difficulties in defining "covered" population target group 2 in the urban areas. Suggestions for future research Longitude survey, based on the existing questionnaire could be used to monitor longer-term impact of community mobilisation for NCD prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]