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 […]

Vanuatu province declares war on junk foods

Vanuatu’s northern Torba province had imposed a ban on foreign junk foods in an effort to protect the health of its people. The head of the local tourism council, Father Luc Dini, has ordered the province’s bungalows and local stores to serve only locally-grown, organic products. Dini also plans to introduce legislation within the next […]

WHO Nutrient Profile Model for the Western Pacific Region

The World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office (WHO-WPRO) recently published a tool to protect children from marketing of unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages. The Regional Nutrient Profile Model aims to aid countries in identifying foods that are commonly marketed to children–through media including television, radio, newspapers, billboards and banners–that should be prohibited. The model […]