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Commercial Determinants of Health

Examines corporations as a dominant feature of modern life and how commercial actors (across industries) pursue strategies that shape consumer preferences with profound implications for health. Identifies harmful products across commercial industries (such as tobacco, alcohol, fossil fuels) as well as products that sustain life (such as pharmaceuticals, food, beverages). Analyzes how the global proliferation of these products has accelerated the epidemiological transition to non-communicable diseases (such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular health, cancer, depression, substance use disorders). Explores how commercial corporations become powerful and why efforts to constrain them through evidence-based policy often fail. Considers measures that can be taken to hold corporations more accountable. Examines corporate behavior and analyzes governance dimensions of health systems in order to better protect consumers.