Journal article
M. Mukanu, S. Abdool Karim, K. Hofman, A. Erzse, A. Thow
Global Health Action, 2021
Global Health Action, 2021
Semantic Scholar
DOI
PubMedCentral
PubMed
Cite
Cite
APA
Click to copy
Mukanu, M., Karim, S. A., Hofman, K., Erzse, A., & Thow, A. (2021). Nutrition related non-communicable diseases and sugar sweetened beverage policies: a landscape analysis in Zambia. Global Health Action.
Chicago/Turabian
Click to copy
Mukanu, M., S. Abdool Karim, K. Hofman, A. Erzse, and A. Thow. “Nutrition Related Non-Communicable Diseases and Sugar Sweetened Beverage Policies: a Landscape Analysis in Zambia.” Global Health Action (2021).
MLA
Click to copy
Mukanu, M., et al. “Nutrition Related Non-Communicable Diseases and Sugar Sweetened Beverage Policies: a Landscape Analysis in Zambia.” Global Health Action, 2021.
BibTeX Click to copy
@article{m2021a,
title = {Nutrition related non-communicable diseases and sugar sweetened beverage policies: a landscape analysis in Zambia},
year = {2021},
journal = {Global Health Action},
author = {Mukanu, M. and Karim, S. Abdool and Hofman, K. and Erzse, A. and Thow, A.}
}
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Taxation on unhealthy products is recommended as a cost-effective intervention to address the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages dis-incentivize consumption of unhealthy products. Implementation of such policies is difficult in Sub-Saharan African countries, which are targets for global corporate expansion by the sugar-sweetened beverages industry. Objective: To identify opportunities to strengthen policies relating to sugar-sweetened beverage taxation in Zambia, through: (1) understanding the policy landscape and political context in which policies for nutrition-related non-communicable diseases are being developed, particularly sugar-sweetened beverage taxation, and exploring the potential use of revenue arising from sugar-sweetened beverage taxation to support improved nutrition. Methods: We conducted a retrospective qualitative policy analysis with a review of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases policies and key informant interviews (n = 10) with policy actors. Data were coded and analyzed data using pre-constructed matrices based on the Kingdon’s Policy Agenda Framework. Results: Government responses to nutrition-related non-communicable diseases were developed in an incoherent policy environment. The health sector’s commitment to regulate sugar-sweetened beverages conflicted with the manufacturing sector’s priorities for economic growth. Increased regulation of sugar-sweetened beverages was a priority for the health sector. Economic interests sought to grow the manufacturing sector, including the food and beverage industries. Consequently, incoherent policy objectives might have contributed to the adoption of a weakened excise tax. The general public were poorly informed about nutrition-related non-communicable diseases. Conclusions: The tension between the Government’s economic and public health priorities is a barrier for strengthening fiscal measures to address nutrition-related non-communicable diseases. However, this did not prevent the introduction of a differential sugar tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Opportunities exist to strengthen the existing taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages in Zambia. These include a more inclusive consultation process for policy formulation and comprehensive monitoring of risk factors.
