Fostering the Catalyst Role of Government in Advancing Healthy Food Environments
Authors: Raphael Lencucha, Laurette Dub茅, Chantal Blouin, Anselm Hennis, Mauricio Pardon and Nick Drager
Publication: International Journal of Health Policy and Management, Vol. 7, No. 6, June 2018
Abstract:
Effective approaches to non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention require intersectoral action targeting聽health and engaging government, industry, and society. There is an ongoing vigorous exploration of the聽most effective and appropriate role of government in intersectoral partnerships. This debate is particularly聽pronounced with regards to the role of government in controlling unhealthy foods and promoting healthy food聽environments. Given that food environments are a key determinant of health, and the commercial sector is a聽key player in shaping such environments (eg, restaurants, grocery stores), the relationship between government聽and the commercial sector is of primary relevance. The principal controversy at the heart of this relationship聽pertains to the potential influence of commercial enterprises on public institutions. We propose that a clear聽distinction between the regulatory and catalyst roles of government is necessary when considering the nature of聽the relationship between government and the commercial food sector. We introduce a typology of three catalyst聽roles for government to foster healthy food environments with the commercial sector and suggest that a richer聽understanding of the contrasting roles of government is needed when considering approaches NCD prevention聽via healthy food environments.
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