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American Journal of Preventive Medicine Dec 2023Ultraprocessed foods are industrial formulations manufactured from substances derived from foods and industrially-produced ingredients and additives. Few countries'...
INTRODUCTION
Ultraprocessed foods are industrial formulations manufactured from substances derived from foods and industrially-produced ingredients and additives. Few countries' policies directly regulate ultraprocessed food, but several countries' dietary guidelines suggest eating less ultraprocessed food. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans do not mention the ultraprocessed food category, but the 2025-2030 Advisory Committee is tasked with evaluating research related to ultraprocessed food consumption. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans are used for U.S. food and nutrition policies. It is unknown the extent that federal and state policymakers have already proposed or passed policies addressing ultraprocessed foods.
METHODS
Research was conducted using Lexis+ into federal and state statutes, bills, resolutions, regulations, and proposed rules, and Congressional Research Services reports to identify policymaking related to highly processed and ultraprocessed food from January 1980 through February 2023.
RESULTS
This research identified 25 policy actions (8 federal, 17 state) proposed or passed between 1983 and 2022 (22 of them, 2011-2022). The most common topic area related to children's nutrition (n=14), and a prevalent theme related to food prices. Only 1 policy defined ultraprocessed food, and 3 policies sought to address the broader food environment by providing incentives to small retailers to stock healthy foods.
CONCLUSIONS
Addressing ultraprocessed food in U.S. policy activity is quite recent, with few policies directly targeting ultraprocessed foods but rather discussing them as contrary to healthy diets. Internationally, ultraprocessed foods have been directly integrated into national dietary guidelines and school food programs. These policies are consistent with emerging U.S. policy activity and may provide information for future policymaking in the U.S.
Topics: Child; Humans; Advisory Committees; Commerce; Food; Nutrition Policy; Nutritional Status; Food, Processed
PubMed: 37451324
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.07.006 -
Journal of Cardiovascular Computed... 2023
Topics: Humans; Predictive Value of Tests; Policy; Insurance, Health, Reimbursement
PubMed: 37633702
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2023.07.002 -
Nature Food Apr 2024For both research and practice, it is paramount to understand what, where and when agri-environmental policies have been put in place. Here we present a database of... (Review)
Review
For both research and practice, it is paramount to understand what, where and when agri-environmental policies have been put in place. Here we present a database of 6,124 agri-environmental policies implemented between 1960 and 2022 in about 200 countries. The database comprises a wide range of policy types (including regulations and payment schemes) and goals (such as biodiversity conservation, safer pesticide use and reducing nutrient pollution). We illustrate the application of the database by exploring the association between economic development and agri-environmental policies and between the soil-related, agri-environmental policies of countries and their border discontinuities in cropland erosion. A strong, positive link between economic development and implemented agri-environmental policies is revealed, and it is found that 43% of all global border discontinuities in soil erosion between countries can be explained by differences in their policies.
Topics: Humans; Agriculture; Biodiversity; Conservation of Natural Resources; Economic Development; Environmental Policy; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Soil
PubMed: 38519597
DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-00945-8 -
The International Journal of Health... May 2024This Special Issue aims to advance the healthcare workforce (HCWF) debate by directing its attention to the implementation of policy recommendations and identifying...
This Special Issue aims to advance the healthcare workforce (HCWF) debate by directing its attention to the implementation of policy recommendations and identifying weaknesses. The selection of articles highlights a wide range of HCWF policies and interventions across various countries. The challenges faced often stem from policy failures and governance gaps at the macro-, meso- and micro-levels of health systems. Recommendations to mitigate the HCWF crisis include interconnected strategies, multi-/transsectoral policies, solidarity-based efforts, collaboration, skill-mix reforms, equity measures, global approaches, and crucially, strong political will. In addition, specific policy solutions are explored, such as community-centred action and employment of community health workers, mental health support initiatives, inclusion of refugees and displaced healthcare workers into the labour market, and preparing the HCWF for the impact of climate change. This Special Issue calls for transformative HCWF policies and multi-level transsectoral governance as essential components needed to effectively address the crisis. This will only be possible, if HCWF policy moves higher up in the public policy arena leading, among other things, to the establishment of HCWF research as a distinct academic field.
Topics: Health Workforce; Health Policy; Humans; Health Personnel; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 38373042
DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3792 -
Health Systems in Transition Feb 2024This analysis of the Danish health system reviews recent developments in organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms and health... (Review)
Review
This analysis of the Danish health system reviews recent developments in organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms and health system performance. Population health in Denmark is good and improving, with life expectancy above the European Union (EU) average but is, however, lagging behind the other Nordic countries. Denmark has a universal and tax-financed health system, providing coverage for a comprehensive package of health services. Notable exclusions to the benefits package include outpatient prescription drugs and adult dental care, which require co-payment and are the main causes of out-of-pocket spending. The hospital sector has been transformed during the past 15 years through a process of consolidating hospitals and the centralization of medical specialties. However, in recent years, there has been a move towards decentralization to increase the volume and quality of care provided outside hospitals in primary and local care settings. The Danish health care system is, to a very high degree, based on digital solutions that health care providers, citizens and institutions all use. Ensuring the availability of health care in all parts of Denmark is increasingly seen as a priority issue. Ensuring sufficient health workers, especially nurses, poses a significant challenge to the Danish health system's sustainability and resilience. While a comprehensive package of policies has been put in place to increase the number of nurses being trained and retain those already working in the system, such measures need time to work. Addressing staffing shortages requires long-term action. Profound changes in working practices and working environments will be required to ensure the sustainability of the health workforce and, by extension, the health system into the future.
Topics: Humans; Denmark; Delivery of Health Care; Health Care Reform; Healthcare Financing; Health Policy
PubMed: 38841877
DOI: No ID Found -
Bulletin of the World Health... Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Public Policy; Demography; Population Dynamics; Developing Countries
PubMed: 38562201
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.24.291641 -
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences Aug 2023I make three points. First, the i-frame and s-frame are not helpful frameworks for thinking about behavioral public policy. Second, the authors ignore the role of...
I make three points. First, the i-frame and s-frame are not helpful frameworks for thinking about behavioral public policy. Second, the authors ignore the role of politics: Policies (and the s-frame) require laws and regulations. Third, the research on retirement savings, which is all about the , undercuts their claims.
Topics: Humans; Public Policy; Behavior
PubMed: 37646287
DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X23000973 -
Nutrition Reviews Nov 2023In the past few decades, the Nepali government has endorsed several nutritional policies, strategies, and guidelines. Given the lack of a comprehensive review of such... (Review)
Review
In the past few decades, the Nepali government has endorsed several nutritional policies, strategies, and guidelines. Given the lack of a comprehensive review of such policy documents, this review aims to describe the nutrition and food security policies and understand the existing policy gaps in Nepal. Findings from this study can be used to develop policies and programs to address Nepal's current and future nutritional needs. Policies relevant to nutrition and food security were identified by searching government websites and directly approaching relevant government ministries. Thematic analysis was conducted using framework methods under 8 predetermined themes: nutrition intervention, food security, food system, capacity building of human resources, nutrition education, nutrition governance, research, and monitoring and evaluation. The contents of each document reviewed were manually extracted in a spreadsheet stratified by the themes, and the findings were summarized for the respective themes. A total of 30 policy documents were reviewed. Most policies have focused on undernutrition; only a few have addressed overnutrition and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Food security through a sustainable food system has been considered a key policy area in Nepal. Other areas in the food and nutrition policy landscape are capacity building for human resources, behavior change practices, nutrition governance, monitoring, and evaluation. Policy gaps have been identified in the quality and sustainability of nutrition programs; access to health care services; competent human resources for nutrition; intersectoral coordination and commitment; and support for monitoring, evaluation, and research activities. Most policies have tried to address a wide range of components of food and nutrition security; however, strategies focused on overnutrition and diet-related noncommunicable diseases are lacking. Several gaps are identified in this policy review; the findings can guide the policymakers to address these gaps via further policy development.
Topics: Humans; Nepal; Noncommunicable Diseases; Nutritional Status; Nutrition Policy; Overnutrition; Food Security
PubMed: 36944110
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad025 -
Health Policy and Planning Oct 2023This paper presents methodological reflections from the development of the World Health Organization (WHO) Violence against Women (VAW) Policies Database (hereinafter... (Review)
Review
This paper presents methodological reflections from the development of the World Health Organization (WHO) Violence against Women (VAW) Policies Database (hereinafter referred to as 'the Database') to inform future efforts to create similar public health policy databases for government accountability. Using the WHO Global Plan of Action on Violence accountability measures as a starting point, the Database was developed over a 2-year period in consultation with a reference group. A subset of indicators was piloted before finalization of a full list and the structure of the Database. Available VAW policies from 194 WHO Member States were reviewed by a team of consultants, who conducted content analysis and data entry. A 'Manual and User Guide' was developed to record decisions related to the processes for developing the Database. This guide was used to draw out key reflections in relation to policy indicators, inclusion criteria for policy documents, languages and analysis, quality assurance and sustainability. The process of developing the Database evolved iteratively in response to many factors, including the content of policies and the specificities of policy-making in each jurisdiction. Pragmatic decisions about the number of indicators and the types of policies to review were informed by pilot tests across a range of geographies. Standardization of analysis and data entry was ensured through the provision of in-depth guidance for researchers, and regular and open communication within the team was key to quality assurance. Online translation services enabled a review of policy documents in most languages. Documentation of the methodology ensured that others could replicate processes with fidelity in the future. Despite complexities, it is possible to develop a sound methodology for analysing the content of policy documents in a manner that yields findings that are useful in holding governments accountable for the commitments to address VAW and other public health issues in policy.
Topics: Female; Humans; Violence; World Health Organization; Policy Making; Public Policy; Public Health
PubMed: 37556115
DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czad052 -
Cancer Journal (Sudbury, Mass.)The United States has seen a 33% decline in age-adjusted cancer mortality since 1991. Despite this achievement, the United States has some of the greatest health...
The United States has seen a 33% decline in age-adjusted cancer mortality since 1991. Despite this achievement, the United States has some of the greatest health disparities of any developed nation. US government policies are increasingly directed toward reducing health disparities and promoting health equity. These policies govern the conduct of research, cancer prevention, access, and payment for care. Although implementation of policies has played a significant role in the successes of cancer control, inconsistent implementation of policy has resulted in divergent outcomes; poorly designed or inadequately implemented policies have hindered progress in reducing cancer death rates and, in certain cases, exacerbated existing disparities. Examining policies affecting cancer control in the United States and realizing their unintended consequences are crucial in addressing cancer inequities.
Topics: Humans; United States; Health Policy; Health Equity; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37963360
DOI: 10.1097/PPO.0000000000000680