Impact of UK sodium reduction policies on disease burden and equity

A recent study by Kypridemos et al published in BMJ Open (2017) found that sodium reduction policies in the UK are effective in reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and gastric cancer (GCa), but the effects are disproportionate across socioeconomic groups.

The study estimated that the UK strategy resulted in about 52,000 fewer new CVD cases and 10,000 CVD deaths, and prevented about 5,000 new cases of GCa and 2,000 GCa deaths compared with the ‘no intervention’ scenario. However, when equity was considered, it showed that the strategy has likely benefitted disproportionally the more health-conscious and wealthier individuals.

The authors suggest that additional legislative policies may achieve more equitable health benefits.

The full article can be accessed here.