Search

The potential health effects of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been insufficiently examined in Asian contexts. This study aimed to assess the impact of SSB taxation on the prevalence of obesity/overweight and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Hong Kong using a willingness-to-pay (WTP) survey and simulation analysis. A random telephone survey was conducted with 1000 adults from May to June 2020. We used a contingent valuation approach to assess individuals' WTP for SSBs under four tax payment scenarios (5%, 10%, 40%, and 50% of the current market price). Based on the WTP, a simulation analysis was conducted to project changes in SSB purchase and associated reductions in the prevalence of obesity/overweight and T2DM over a 10-year simulation period. When 5% and 10% taxation rates were introduced, approximately one-third of the population were unwilling to maintain their SSB purchase. Our simulation demonstrated a gradual decline in the prevalence of obesity/overweight and diabetes with a more pronounced decrease when higher taxation rates were introduced. 10% taxation resulted in a mean reduction of 1532.7 cases of overweight/obesity per 100 thousand population at the sixth year, while T2DM prevalence decreased by 267.1 (0.3%). This study underscores the effects of an SSB tax on purchase behaviors and health outcomes in an affluent Asia setting, with a more pronounced influence on adult population. These findings are expected to inform policymakers in making decisions regarding an effective and equitable tax rate on SSBs. • Under 5% and 10% taxations, approximately one-third participants were unwilling to maintain their SSB purchase. • A steady decline in population body weight was observed in the first six years after the introduction of SSB taxes. • Introduction of the SSB tax has a greater influence on overweight/obesity prevalence among middle-aged adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: We studied incidence and mortality trends of colorectal cancer (CRC) in 39 countries according to age, sex, and anatomic location (colon vs rectum)., Methods: We retrieved incidence data from registries from 36 countries. The registries included the following: Cancer Incidence in 5 Continents volumes I to XI; the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute; and the Nordic Cancer Registries from Europe. We obtained mortality data from 39 countries of the World Health Organization database. We evaluated average annual percentage changes in CRC incidence and mortality in the past decade using joinpoint regression analysis., Results: From 2007 to 2016, 2006 to 2015, or 2005 to 2014, depending on the availability of the data, the incidence of colon cancer increased in 10 of 36 countries analyzed (all in Asia or Europe); India had the greatest increase, followed by Poland. All 10 of these countries have medium to high Human Development Index (HDI) scores. Six countries had a decrease in colon cancer incidence; these countries had the highest HDI scores; the United States had the greatest decrease, followed by Israel. Seven countries (including all countries from Northern America) had a decrease in incidence among persons older than 50 years. Eight countries had an increase in colon cancer incidence among persons younger than 50 years, including the United Kingdom and India. Countries with a decreased or stable incidence among persons 50 years or older but a significant increase in persons younger than 50 years, included Germany, Australia, the United States, Sweden, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Only Italy had a decrease in CRC incidence among persons younger than 50 years. Among women, 12 of 36 countries (all from Asia and Europe) had an increase in colon cancer incidence and 7 countries had a decrease; India had the greatest increase followed by Slovenia. Five of 36 countries had an increase in incidence of rectal cancer and 8 countries had a decrease; Ecuador and Thailand had the greatest increases in incidence. The incidence of rectal cancer among persons younger than 50 years increased significantly in Finland, Australia, Canada, the United States, and The Netherlands. Four countries had an increase in the incidence of rectal cancer in women; Ecuador had the greatest increase followed by Thailand. The incidence of rectal cancer in women decreased in 8 countries. Among women younger than 50 years, rectal cancer incidence increased, despite a decrease in women older than 50 years, in Costa Rica, Slovenia, Japan, Slovakia, Canada, and the United States there was an increase in incidence, although their elder population had a stable or decreased incidence. Twenty-four countries reported a reduction in CRC mortality, including North America, Oceania, and most European countries. Nevertheless, some countries from Asia, Latin America, and Southern Europe had significant increases in CRC mortality., Conclusions: In an analysis of incidence and mortality databases from 39 countries, we found that the incidence of colon and rectal cancers has continued to increase in countries with medium to high HDI and in younger populations. Preventive strategies are needed for countries with increasing CRC and rectal cancer incidence and mortality., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)