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Thiboonboon K, Lourenco RDA, Cronin P, Khoo T, Goodall S. Economic Evaluations of Obesity-Targeted Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Taxes-A Review to Identify Methodological Issues. Health Policy 2024; 144:105076. [PMID: 38692186 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Economic evaluations of public health interventions like sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes face difficulties similar to those previously identified in other public health areas. This stems from challenges in accurately attributing effects, capturing outcomes and costs beyond health, and integrating equity effects. This review examines how these challenges were addressed in economic evaluations of SSB taxes. METHODS A systematic review was conducted to identify economic evaluations of SSB taxes focused on addressing obesity in adults, published up to February 2021. The methodological challenges examined include measuring effects, valuing outcomes, assessing costs, and incorporating equity. RESULTS Fourteen economic evaluations of SSB taxes were identified. Across these evaluations, estimating SSB tax effects was uncertain due to a reliance on indirect evidence that was less robust than evidence from randomised controlled trials. Health outcomes, like quality-adjusted life years, along with a healthcare system perspective for costs, dominated the evaluations of SSB taxes, with a limited focus on broader non-health consequences. Equity analyses were common but employed significantly different approaches and exhibited varying degrees of quality. CONCLUSION Addressing the methodological challenges remains an issue for economic evaluations of public health interventions like SSB taxes, suggesting the need for increased attention on those issues in future studies. Dedicated methodological guidelines, in particular addressing the measurement of effect and incorporation of equity impacts, are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittiphong Thiboonboon
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia, Level 5, Building 20 100 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia.
| | - Richard De Abreu Lourenco
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia, Level 5, Building 20 100 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia
| | - Paula Cronin
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia, Level 5, Building 20 100 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia
| | - Terence Khoo
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia, Level 5, Building 20 100 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia
| | - Stephen Goodall
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia, Level 5, Building 20 100 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008, Australia
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Huse O, Backholer K, Nguyen P, Calibo A, Guirindola M, Desnacido JP, Sacks G, Bell AC, Peeters A, Angeles-Agdeppa I, Ananthapavan J. A comparative analysis of the cost-utility of the Philippine tax on sweetened beverages as proposed and as implemented. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2023; 41:100912. [PMID: 37780636 PMCID: PMC10534259 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Background In response to increasing overweight and obesity, the Philippine government introduced a tax on sweetened beverages (SBs) in 2018. Evidence suggests that the beverage industry influenced the final tax design, making it more favourable for industry than the initially proposed bill. This study aimed to compare the relative health and economic benefits of the proposed SB tax with the implemented SB tax. Methods Philippine dietary consumption data were combined with price elasticity data from Mexico and data from Australia adapted to the Philippine context to estimate reductions in SB purchases and changes in body mass index (BMI) following the implementation of the tax. A multi-state, multiple-cohort Markov model was used to estimate the change in health-adjusted life years (HALYs) due to reduction in the epidemiology of obesity-related diseases, healthcare cost savings and government taxation revenue, resulting from both the proposed and implemented tax policies, over the lifetime of the 2018 Philippine population. Findings The proposed and implemented taxes were modelled to be dominant (cost-saving and improving health). Intervention costs were modelled to be PHP305.2 million (M) (approximately US$6M). Compared to the proposed tax, the implemented tax was modelled to result in a 43.0% smaller reduction in targeted beverage intake (51.1 ml/person/day vs. 89.7 ml/person/day), a 43.5% smaller reduction in BMI (0.35 kg/m2 vs. 0.62 kg/m2), 39.7% fewer HALYs gained (2,503,118 vs. 4,149,030), 39.9% fewer healthcare cost savings (PHP16.4 billion (B) vs. PHP27.3B), and 27.7% less government taxation revenue (PHP426.3B vs. PHP589.4B). Interpretation While the implemented tax in the Philippines will benefit population health, it is likely to yield less benefit than the proposed tax. The influence of the food and beverage industry on policy processes has the potential to lessen the benefits of population NCD prevention policies. Funding OH was supported to conduct this research by an Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship. The funding body had no role in data collection and analysis, or manuscript preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Huse
- Global Centre for Preventative Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Global Centre for Preventative Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Phuong Nguyen
- Global Centre for Preventative Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- Deakin Health Economics, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Anthony Calibo
- Child Health Division, Department of Health, Medical Specialist IV, Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, Manila (2011-2020), Philippines
- Institute of Pediatrics and Child Health, St. Luke's Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Mildred Guirindola
- Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Manila, Philippines
| | - Josie P. Desnacido
- Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Manila, Philippines
| | - Gary Sacks
- Global Centre for Preventative Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Andrew Colin Bell
- Global Centre for Preventative Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Anna Peeters
- Global Centre for Preventative Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa
- Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Manila, Philippines
| | - Jaithri Ananthapavan
- Global Centre for Preventative Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- Deakin Health Economics, Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Ishida M, D'Souza M, Zhao Y, Pan T, Carman W, Haregu T, Lee JT. The association between obesity, health service use, and work productivity in Australia: a cross-sectional quantile regression analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6696. [PMID: 37095191 PMCID: PMC10126067 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33389-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The burden of disease attributable to obesity is rapidly increasing and becoming a public health challenge globally. Using a nationally representative sample in Australia, this study aims to examine the association of obesity with healthcare service use and work productivity across outcome distributions. We used Household, Income and Labour Dynamics Australia (HILDA) Wave 17 (2017-2018), including 11,211 participants aged between 20 and 65 years. Two-part models using multivariable logistic regressions and quantile regressions were employed to understand variations in the association between obesity levels and the outcomes. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 35.0% and 27.6%, respectively. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, low socioeconomic status was associated with a higher probability of overweight and obesity (Obese III: OR = 3.79; 95% CI 2.53-5.68) while high education group was associated with a lower likelihood of being high level of obesity (Obese III OR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.29-0.59). Higher levels of obesity were associated with higher probability of health service use (GP visit Obese, III: OR = 1.42 95% CI 1.04-1.93,) and work productivity loss (number of paid sick leave days, Obese III: OR = 2.40 95% CI 1.94-2.96), compared with normal weight. The impacts of obesity on health service use and work productivity were larger for those with higher percentiles compared to lower percentiles. Overweight and obesity are associated with greater healthcare utilisation, and loss in work productivity in Australia. Australia's healthcare system should prioritise interventions to prevent overweight and obesity to reduce the cost on individuals and improve labour market outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Ishida
- School of Population and Global Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Monique D'Souza
- School of Population and Global Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yang Zhao
- The George Institute for Global Health at Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- The George Institute for Global Health at University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tianxin Pan
- School of Population and Global Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Will Carman
- School of Population and Global Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tilahun Haregu
- School of Population and Global Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John Tayu Lee
- School of Population and Global Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Health Service Research, Faculty of Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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Problems and Solutions of Taxation to Control Unhealthy Goods: A Qualitative Study. HEALTH SCOPE 2023. [DOI: 10.5812/jhealthscope-132036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Background: Taxes on unhealthy goods, in addition to reducing the consumption of these goods, preventing related diseases, and promoting public health, can provide significant financial resources for the health sector. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the problems and solutions of taxation to control the consumption of unhealthy goods to improve public health. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2021. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were held to collect information. Sampling was performed by purposive and snowball methods with 31 managers and key experts. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method. MAXQDA software (version 12) was used for classification and coding. Results: This study labeled 2 main themes and 10 subthemes. The main themes included problems of controlling unhealthy goods and solutions to controlling unhealthy goods. Poor decision-making, planning, and execution, production-related problems, smuggling and poor supervision, increased consumption of harmful goods, conflicts of interest, and advertisements of unhealthy goods are the most important of these problems. Imposing taxes, duties, and price hikes, providing alternatives, paying attention to all determinants of supply and demand, and taxation on advertising are also solutions to control unhealthy products. Conclusions: The health level of individuals should be improved by imposing taxes on unhealthy goods, determining accurate tax rates, and simultaneously using measures, such as providing alternatives to unhealthy goods and controlling advertisements. Paying serious attention to the list of harmful goods, coordination and cooperation of related organizations in formulating and implementing tax policies, and providing suitable alternatives to harmful products are the practical suggestions of this study.
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Kooshkebaghi M, Dargahi H, Emamgholipour S. The role of taxation measures in the management of harmful products, services, and practices in Iran: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2307. [PMID: 36494705 PMCID: PMC9733354 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14673-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Levying a tax on harmful products, services, and practices can affect consumer choices, effectively preventing diseases and reducing health care costs. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of taxation as a powerful financial tool in the management of harmful products, services, and practices to maintain and improve public health and preserve the financial sustainability of the health care system. MATERIALS AND METHODS This qualitative study was conducted in 2020-2021. In order to collect information for this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Using purposive and snowball sampling methods, 38 managers, policymakers, economists, and key experts were interviewed. Data were analyzed using the content analysis method. The transcribed interviews were further imported into MAXQDA for classification, and relevant codes were extracted. FINDINGS In this study, 6 main themes and 19 subthemes were labeled. The main themes included 1) objectives, effects, and requirements of the taxation of harmful products, services, and practices, 2) definition, instances, elasticity, and grading of harmful products, services, and practices, 3) Problems in controlling harmful products, services, and practices, 4) controlling harmful products, services, and practices, 5) traffic violations and accidents, and social harms, and 6) tax revenue use and the share of health care. The effects of taxing harmful products include reduced access to these products, reduced demand for harmful products, and the promotion of public health. CONCLUSION Harmful products, services, and practices have major health and financial implications for individuals, families, and society. To improve public health, the demand for these products and services can be controlled through taxation measures to push consumers toward less harmful alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Kooshkebaghi
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Dargahi
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Health Information Management Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sara Emamgholipour
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Smith NR, Grummon AH, Ng SW, Wright ST, Frerichs L. Simulation models of sugary drink policies: A scoping review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275270. [PMID: 36191026 PMCID: PMC9529101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Simulation modeling methods are an increasingly common tool for projecting the potential health effects of policies to decrease sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. However, it remains unknown which SSB policies are understudied and how simulation modeling methods could be improved. To inform next steps, we conducted a scoping review to characterize the (1) policies considered and (2) major characteristics of SSB simulation models. METHODS We systematically searched 7 electronic databases in 2020, updated in 2021. Two investigators independently screened articles to identify peer-reviewed research using simulation modeling to project the impact of SSB policies on health outcomes. One investigator extracted information about policies considered and key characteristics of models from the full text of included articles. Data were analyzed in 2021-22. RESULTS Sixty-one articles were included. Of these, 50 simulated at least one tax policy, most often an ad valorem tax (e.g., 20% tax, n = 25) or volumetric tax (e.g., 1 cent-per-fluid-ounce tax, n = 23). Non-tax policies examined included bans on SSB purchases (n = 5), mandatory reformulation (n = 3), warning labels (n = 2), and portion size policies (n = 2). Policies were typically modeled in populations accounting for age and gender or sex attributes. Most studies focused on weight-related outcomes (n = 54), used cohort, lifetable, or microsimulation modeling methods (n = 34), conducted sensitivity or uncertainty analyses (n = 56), and included supplementary materials (n = 54). Few studies included stakeholders at any point in their process (n = 9) or provided replication code/data (n = 8). DISCUSSION Most simulation modeling of SSB policies has focused on tax policies and has been limited in its exploration of heterogenous impacts across population groups. Future research would benefit from refined policy and implementation scenario specifications, thorough assessments of the equity impacts of policies using established methods, and standardized reporting to improve transparency and consistency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Riva Smith
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Anna H. Grummon
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School / Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Carolina Population Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Sarah Towner Wright
- Health Sciences Library, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Leah Frerichs
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
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Kooshkebaghi M, Emamgholipour S, Dargahi H. Explaining specific taxes management and use in the health sector: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1220. [PMID: 36180837 PMCID: PMC9524337 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08556-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Being the major source of revenue and essential economic tool for policymakers to improve public health, taxes contribute to government spending on the development of health care facilities and services. Given the financial challenges facing the health sector together with the public health issues that affect each society, placing specific taxes on some goods, services, and activities can be effective in this regard. The study aims to explain the various dimensions of specific taxes in the health sector and management of these resources in order to achieve the health system goals. Materials and methods This study with a qualitative research design was conducted using semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions in 2020–2021. In total, 38 managers, policymakers, economists, key experts, and other individuals, as informants, were interviewed. Purposive and snowball with maximum variation was also employed. As well, content analysis was utilized to shed light on the data. The transcribed interviews were further imported into MAXQDA for extracting and classifying the relevant codes. Findings In this study, 5 main themes and 23 subthemes were labeled. The main themes accordingly included “Objectives and Conditions of Specific Health Taxes”, “Earmarked Taxes”, “Taxes on Goods and Measures of Harmful to Health”, “Value-Added Taxes”, and “Green Taxes”. Discussion and conclusion Considering the specific taxes in the health sector, i.e., taxes on goods and measures of harmful to health, value-added taxes, and green taxes, all taxation and pricing policies need to take account of the effects as well as the advantages and disadvantages of types of taxes, a country’s economic structure, the conditions of industries and manufacturing enterprises, cultural aspects in society, and peoples’ socioeconomic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Kooshkebaghi
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Emamgholipour
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Dargahi
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Health Information Management Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Warren C, Hobin E, Manuel DG, Anderson LN, Hammond D, Jessri M, Arcand J, L'Abbé M, Li Y, Rosella LC, Manson H, Smith BT. Socioeconomic position and consumption of sugary drinks, sugar-sweetened beverages and 100% juice among Canadians: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey–Nutrition. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 113:341-362. [PMID: 35138596 PMCID: PMC9043056 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-021-00602-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to describe sugary drink (beverages with free sugars), sugar-sweetened beverage (beverages with added sugars, SSB) and 100% juice (beverages with natural sugars) consumption across socioeconomic position (SEP) among Canadians. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 19,742 respondents of single-day 24-h dietary recalls in the nationally representative 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey–Nutrition. Poisson regressions were used to estimate the prevalence of consuming each beverage type on a given day. Among consumers on a given day, linear regressions were used to estimate mean energy intake. Models included household education, food security and income quintiles as separate unadjusted exposures. Sex-specific models were estimated separately for children/adolescents (2–18 years) and adults (19 +). Results Among female children/adolescents, the prevalence of consuming sugary drinks and, separately, SSB ranged from 11 to 21 and 8 to 27 percentage-points higher among lower education compared to ‘Bachelor degree or above’ households. In female adults, the prevalence of consuming sugary drinks and, separately, SSB was 10 (95% CI: 1, 19) and 14 (95% CI: 2, 27) percentage-points higher in food insecure compared to secure households. In males, the prevalence of consuming 100% juice was 9 (95% CI: − 18, 0) percentage-points lower among food insecure compared to secure households. Social inequities in energy intake were observed in female adult consumers, among whom mean energy from sugary drinks was 27 kcal (95% CI: 3, 51) higher among food insecure compared to secure and 35 kcal (95% CI: 2, 67) higher from 100% juice among ‘less than high school’ education compared to ‘Bachelor degree or above’ households. Conclusion Social inequities in sugary drink consumption exist in Canada. The associations differed by SEP indicator. Equitable interventions to reduce consumption are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Warren
- Public Health Ontario, 480 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V2, Canada
| | - Erin Hobin
- Public Health Ontario, 480 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V2, Canada
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Douglas G Manuel
- Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences - Central Site, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Laura N Anderson
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Mahsa Jessri
- Food, Nutrition and Health Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - JoAnne Arcand
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mary L'Abbé
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ye Li
- Public Health Ontario, 480 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V2, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laura C Rosella
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences - Central Site, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Vector Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Heather Manson
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brendan T Smith
- Public Health Ontario, 480 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V2, Canada.
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Ng SW, Colchero MA, White M. How should we evaluate sweetened beverage tax policies? A review of worldwide experience. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1941. [PMID: 34702248 PMCID: PMC8546197 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11984-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 45 jurisdictions globally have implemented sweetened beverage taxes. Researchers and policymakers need to assess whether and how these taxes change beverage demand and supply, their intended and unanticipated health, economic and equity impacts. Lessons from such evaluations can maximise the policies' success and impact on non-communicable disease prevention globally. We discuss key theoretical, design and methodological considerations to help policymakers, funders and researchers commission and conduct rigorous evaluations of these policies and related disease prevention efforts. We encourage involving the perspectives of various stakeholders on what evaluations are needed given the specific context, what data and methods are appropriate, readily available or can be collected within time and budget constraints. A logic model /conceptual system map of anticipated implications across sectors and scales should help identify optimal study design, analytical techniques and measures. These models should be updated when synthesising findings across diverse methods and integrating findings across subpopulations using similar methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wen Ng
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #8120, 137 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA.
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB#7461, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7461, USA.
| | - M Arantxa Colchero
- Center for Health Systems Research, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad No 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, CP, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Martin White
- Centre for Diet and Activity Research, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Emmert-Fees KMF, Karl FM, von Philipsborn P, Rehfuess EA, Laxy M. Simulation Modeling for the Economic Evaluation of Population-Based Dietary Policies: A Systematic Scoping Review. Adv Nutr 2021; 12:1957-1995. [PMID: 33873201 PMCID: PMC8483966 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmab028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simulation modeling can be useful to estimate the long-term health and economic impacts of population-based dietary policies. We conducted a systematic scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guideline to map and critically appraise economic evaluations of population-based dietary policies using simulation models. We searched Medline, Embase, and EconLit for studies published in English after 2005. Modeling studies were mapped based on model type, dietary policy, and nutritional target, and modeled risk factor-outcome pathways were analyzed. We included 56 studies comprising 136 model applications evaluating dietary policies in 21 countries. The policies most often assessed were reformulation (34/136), taxation (27/136), and labeling (20/136); the most common targets were salt/sodium (60/136), sugar-sweetened beverages (31/136), and fruit and vegetables (15/136). Model types included Markov-type (35/56), microsimulation (11/56), and comparative risk assessment (7/56) models. Overall, the key diet-related risk factors and health outcomes were modeled, but only 1 study included overall diet quality as a risk factor. Information about validation was only reported in 19 of 56 studies and few studies (14/56) analyzed the equity impacts of policies. Commonly included cost components were health sector (52/56) and public sector implementation costs (35/56), as opposed to private sector (18/56), lost productivity (11/56), and informal care costs (3/56). Most dietary policies (103/136) were evaluated as cost-saving independent of the applied costing perspective. An analysis of the main limitations reported by authors revealed that model validity, uncertainty of dietary effect estimates, and long-term intervention assumptions necessitate a careful interpretation of results. In conclusion, simulation modeling is widely applied in the economic evaluation of population-based dietary policies but rarely takes dietary complexity and the equity dimensions of policies into account. To increase relevance for policymakers and support diet-related disease prevention, economic effects beyond the health sector should be considered, and transparent conduct and reporting of model validation should be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl M F Emmert-Fees
- Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian M Karl
- Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Peter von Philipsborn
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva A Rehfuess
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Laxy
- Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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11
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Alcaraz A, Pichon-Riviere A, Palacios A, Bardach A, Balan DJ, Perelli L, Augustovski F, Ciapponi A. Sugar sweetened beverages attributable disease burden and the potential impact of policy interventions: a systematic review of epidemiological and decision models. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1460. [PMID: 34315428 PMCID: PMC8317409 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11046-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Around 184,000 deaths per year could be attributable to sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption worldwide. Epidemiological and decision models are important tools to estimate disease burden. The purpose of this study was to identify models to assess the burden of diseases attributable to SSBs consumption or the potential impact of health interventions. METHODS We carried out a systematic review and literature search up to August 2018. Pairs of reviewers independently selected, extracted, and assessed the quality of the included studies through an exhaustive description of each model's features. Discrepancies were solved by consensus. The inclusion criteria were epidemiological or decision models evaluating SSBs health interventions or policies, and descriptive SSBs studies of decision models. Studies published before 2003, cost of illness studies and economic evaluations based on individual patient data were excluded. RESULTS We identified a total of 2766 references. Out of the 40 included studies, 45% were models specifically developed to address SSBs, 82.5% were conducted in high-income countries and 57.5% considered a health system perspective. The most common model's outcomes were obesity/overweight (82.5%), diabetes (72.5%), cardiovascular disease (60%), mortality (52.5%), direct medical costs (57.35%), and healthy years -DALYs/QALYs- (40%) attributable to SSBs. 67.5% of the studies modelled the effect of SSBs on the outcomes either entirely through BMI or through BMI plus diabetes independently. Models were usually populated with inputs from national surveys -such us obesity prevalence, SSBs consumption-; and vital statistics (67.5%). Only 55% reported results by gender and 40% included children; 30% presented results by income level, and 25% by selected vulnerable groups. Most of the models evaluated at least one policy intervention to reduce SSBs consumption (92.5%), taxes being the most frequent strategy (75%). CONCLUSIONS There is a wide range of modelling approaches of different complexity and information requirements to evaluate the burden of disease attributable to SSBs. Most of them take into account the impact on obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, mortality, and economic impact. Incorporating these tools to different countries could result in useful information for decision makers and the general population to promote a deeper implementation of policies to reduce SSBs consumption. PROSPERO PROTOCOL NUMBER CRD42020121025 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Alcaraz
- Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS) /Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Andrés Pichon-Riviere
- Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS) /Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Palacios
- Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS) /Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ariel Bardach
- Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS) /Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dario Javier Balan
- Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS) /Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas Perelli
- Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS) /Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Augustovski
- Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS) /Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustín Ciapponi
- Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (IECS) /Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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12
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Hangoma P, Bulawayo M, Chewe M, Stacey N, Downey L, Chalkidou K, Hofman K, Kamanga M, Kaluba A, Surgey G. The potential health and revenue effects of a tax on sugar sweetened beverages in Zambia. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2019-001968. [PMID: 32354785 PMCID: PMC7213810 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been rising. A key risk factor for NCDs is obesity, which has been partly linked to consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs). A tax on SSBs is an attractive control measure to curb the rising trend in NCDs, as it has the potential to reduce consumption of SSBs. However, studies on the potential effects of SSB taxes have been concentrated in high-income countries with limited studies in low-income and middle-income countries. Using data from the 2015 Zambia Living Conditions Monitoring Survey (LCMS) data, the 2017 Zambia NCD STEPS Survey, and key parameters from the literature, we simulated the effect of a 25% SSB tax in Zambia on energy intake and the corresponding change in body mass index (BMI), obesity prevalence, deaths averted, life years gained and revenues generated using a mathematical model developed using Microsoft Excel. We conducted Monte Carlo simulations to construct 95% confidence bands and sensitivity analyses to account for uncertainties in key parameters. We found that a 25% SSB would avert 2526 deaths, though these results were not statistically significant overall. However, when broken down by gender, the tax was found to significantly avert 1133 deaths in women (95% CI 353 to 1970). The tax was found to potentially generate an additional US$5.46 million (95% CI 4.66 to 6.14) in revenue annually. We conclude that an SSB tax in Zambia has the potential to significantly decrease the amount of disability-adjusted life years lost to lifestyle-related diseases in women, highlighting important health equity outcomes. Women have higher baseline BMI and therefore are at higher risk for NCDs. In addition, an SSB tax will provide government with additional revenue which if earmarked for health could contribute to healthcare financing in Zambia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hangoma
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Maio Bulawayo
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Mwimba Chewe
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Nicholas Stacey
- SA MRC/ Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science, University of Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Laura Downey
- School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kalipso Chalkidou
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Center for Global Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Karen Hofman
- SA MRC/ Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science, University of Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | - Gavin Surgey
- SA MRC/ Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science, University of Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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13
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Marinello S, Leider J, Pugach O, Powell LM. The impact of the Philadelphia beverage tax on employment: A synthetic control analysis. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2021; 40:100939. [PMID: 33232891 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2020.100939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Prevalence of obesity and other diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have continued to rise for decades in the United States. In addition to adverse health consequences, these diseases have led to substantial economic costs in the form of medical expenses and productivity losses. To address the rise in NCDs, excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are increasingly proposed and implemented as a policy tool for improving dietary intake and population health. To date, few empirical studies have evaluated the potential unintended economic effects of these taxes. In this paper, we examine the impact of the Philadelphia, PA, sweetened beverage tax (applied to both SSBs and artificially sweetened beverages) on employment in key industries that sell sweetened beverages as well as on net total employment. Drawing on monthly employment count data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from January 2012 through June 2019, we conducted a synthetic control analysis of total, private sector, limited-service restaurant, and convenience store employment. The synthetic controls reproduced nearly identical pre-tax employment trends to Philadelphia and had similar values of important predictors. In the post-tax period, Philadelphia employment was not lower, on average, than the synthetic control employment for each outcome. Placebo tests suggested a null effect of the tax, and the results were robust to changes in predictors and control site criteria. Overall, we did not find that the sweetened beverage tax resulted in job losses up to two and a half years after the tax was implemented. These findings are consistent with other peer-reviewed modeling and empirical papers on the employment and unemployment effects of sweetened beverage taxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Marinello
- Division of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor Street, M/C 923, Chicago, IL, 60612-4394, USA; Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, M/C 275, Chicago, IL, 60608-1264, USA.
| | - Julien Leider
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, M/C 275, Chicago, IL, 60608-1264, USA
| | - Oksana Pugach
- Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, M/C 275, Chicago, IL, 60608-1264, USA
| | - Lisa M Powell
- Division of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor Street, M/C 923, Chicago, IL, 60612-4394, USA; Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Road, M/C 275, Chicago, IL, 60608-1264, USA
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14
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Falbe J. The ethics of excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. Physiol Behav 2020; 225:113105. [PMID: 32712210 PMCID: PMC7377978 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxation has emerged as a priority policy for promoting health and funding investments in communities most affected by diet-related disease. There are now 8 U.S. jurisdictions and over 40 countries that have implemented SSB taxes. Evaluations show that these policies reduce SSB consumption and purchasing while raising revenues to fund public health, education, and equity. However, there have been few analyses of the ethical considerations of SSB taxation. Using a framework for evaluating the ethics of public health interventions, this paper considers the ethical aspects of SSB excise taxes with respect to: physical health, psychosocial well-being, equality, informed choice, liberty, social and cultural values, and responsibility. Available evidence suggests there is a strong ethical case for levying SSB excise taxes on manufacturers and distributors. SSB excise taxes reduce consumption and purchasing of SSBs and are expected to meaningfully reduce obesity and diet-related morbidity and mortality. Because SSB taxes are specific to a product and its manufacturers, they are unlikely to harm psychosocial health by stigmatizing people who are overweight. SSB excise taxes should lead to greater equality because the health and social benefits are progressive (i.e., low-income individuals are likely to accrue the largest benefits from the tax, even more so when revenues are spent on health and social equity). Meanwhile, the average consumer cost burden that would result if distributors raise SSB prices in reponse to the tax is minimally regressive. Regarding liberty, SSB taxes do not eliminate the option of buying SSBs, but if SSB distributors raise SSB prices, it becomes somewhat more expensive to continue purchasing the same amount of SSBs. Meanwhile, the taxes expand beverage options by funding drinking water availability and prompting industry to expand offerings of unsweetened drinks and SSBs containing less sugar. Furthermore, by averting poor health, SSB taxes should expand overall freedom to pursue one's goals. Informed choice could be facilitated by seeing a higher SSB shelf price (which indicates a drink contains added sugar) and exposure to nutrition education funded with tax revenues. SSB taxation is unlikely to negatively interfere with social or cultural values because taxation would not eliminate having SSBs for special occasions, and SSBs are not a staple of traditional diets. Lastly, SSB taxation attributes responsibility for health in a manner that reflects industry's contribution to obesity and the multisectoral solutions that are needed to prevent diet-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Falbe
- Human Development and Family Studies Program, Department of Human Ecology, UC Davis. 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 95616, United States.
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15
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Boylan SM, Thow AM, Tyedmers EK, Malik A, Salem J, Alders R, Raubenheimer D, Lenzen M. Using Input-Output Analysis to Measure Healthy, Sustainable Food Systems. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2020.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Jain V, Crosby L, Baker P, Chalkidou K. Distributional equity as a consideration in economic and modelling evaluations of health taxes: A systematic review. Health Policy 2020; 124:919-931. [PMID: 32718790 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE/SETTING The extent to which distributional equity is incorporated into evaluations of the (potential or observed) impact of health taxes is unclear. This systematic review of economic and modelling evaluations investigating taxation on tobacco, sugar-sweetened-beverages (SSBs), or alcohol aims to assess the proportion that have considered distributional impact by income or socioeconomic group. Secondary aims included summarising the reported distributional impacts, for both costs and health benefits. FINDINGS Of 4656 search results, 69 studies were included. The majority were economic analyses with epidemiological modelling, with studies on SSB taxes being of the highest quality. Tobacco was most commonly investigated tax, with 37 evaluations. Of these, 12 (32 %) considered distributional equity, with six (27 %) of 22 included SSB evaluations doing the same, and none for alcohol. A tobacco tax favoured lowerincome groups in the distribution of costs in all identified evaluations and for health benefits in nine out of 12 evaluations (75 %). For SSBs, four evaluations (67 %) found costs to favour low-income groups, with three (50 %) for health benefits. CONCLUSIONS Despite recommendations, evaluations of health taxes do not routinely consider the distributional impact of both costs and health benefits. Evaluations for alcohol taxation are particularly weak in this regard. Where investigated, the majority of evidence found tobacco taxation to favour low-income groups, whereas the limited evidence for SSBs is mixed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vageesh Jain
- Institute for Global Health (IGH), University College London, UK; Public Health England, London, UK.
| | - Liam Crosby
- Institute for Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, London, UK; Tower Hamlets Council, London, UK
| | - Peter Baker
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, UK; Center for Global Development, UK
| | - Kalipso Chalkidou
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, UK; Center for Global Development, UK
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17
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Mounsey S, Veerman L, Jan S, Thow AM. The macroeconomic impacts of diet-related fiscal policy for NCD prevention: A systematic review. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2020; 37:100854. [PMID: 32062400 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2020.100854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diet-related fiscal policies are effective interventions to address non-communicable disease. However, despite these being economic policy instruments, there is little public health attention given to the evidence of macroeconomic impacts. This review aims to assess the global evidence for the macroeconomic impact of diet-related fiscal policies for non-communicable disease prevention on industry revenue, government revenue and employment. METHODS For this systematic review we comprehensively searched the bibliographic databases MEDLINE, OvidSP, EMBASE, Global Health, SCOPUS, CINAHL and ECONLIT, and Google Scholar for English peer-reviewed studies or grey literature, with no date cut-off. Global interventions with a focus on diet-related fiscal strategies were assessed for the outcomes of industry revenue, gross domestic product, government revenue and employment. We excluded non-English papers. FINDINGS Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies were on sugar sweetened beverage taxation and one also included an energy-dense food tax. Nine were modelling studies and two used interrupted time series analysis based on empirical evidence. One study found potential employment increases because of taxation; two found no significant job losses and eight found reduced employment. Taxes reduced sales volume and revenue within the sugar/beverage industry. Government revenue generation was positive in all studies. One study considered redistribution of consumer and government spending to other goods and services; INTERPRETATION: We found no robust evidence for negative macroeconomic impacts of diet-related fiscal policies, likely a reflection of the limited methodology used in the analyses. This review suggests that there is a need for more high-quality research into the macroeconomic impacts of diet related fiscal measures and similar to tobacco taxation, government should consider directing revenue generated towards complementary measures to generate employment and/or provide livelihood training for those affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Mounsey
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney Australia.
| | | | - Stephen Jan
- The George Institute for Global Health Australia
| | - Anne Marie Thow
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney Australia
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18
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Fooks GJ, Williams S, Box G, Sacks G. Corporations' use and misuse of evidence to influence health policy: a case study of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation. Global Health 2019; 15:56. [PMID: 31551086 PMCID: PMC6760066 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-019-0495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) are a major source of sugar in the diet. Although trends in consumption vary across regions, in many countries, particularly LMICs, their consumption continues to increase. In response, a growing number of governments have introduced a tax on SSBs. SSB manufacturers have opposed such taxes, disputing the role that SSBs play in diet-related diseases and the effectiveness of SSB taxation, and alleging major economic impacts. Given the importance of evidence to effective regulation of products harmful to human health, we scrutinised industry submissions to the South African government’s consultation on a proposed SSB tax and examined their use of evidence. Results Corporate submissions were underpinned by several strategies involving the misrepresentation of evidence. First, references were used in a misleading way, providing false support for key claims. Second, raw data, which represented a pliable, alternative evidence base to peer reviewed studies, was misused to dispute both the premise of targeting sugar for special attention and the impact of SSB taxes on SSB consumption. Third, purposively selected evidence was used in conjunction with other techniques, such as selective quoting from studies and omitting important qualifying information, to promote an alternative evidential narrative to that supported by the weight of peer-reviewed research. Fourth, a range of mutually enforcing techniques that inflated the effects of SSB taxation on jobs, public revenue generation, and gross domestic product, was used to exaggerate the economic impact of the tax. This “hyperbolic accounting” included rounding up figures in original sources, double counting, and skipping steps in economic modelling. Conclusions Our research raises fundamental questions concerning the bona fides of industry information in the context of government efforts to combat diet-related diseases. The beverage industry’s claims against SSB taxation rest on a complex interplay of techniques, that appear to be grounded in evidence, but which do not observe widely accepted approaches to the use of either scientific or economic evidence. These techniques are similar, but not identical, to those used by tobacco companies and highlight the problems of introducing evidence-based policies aimed at managing the market environment for unhealthful commodities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12992-019-0495-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Jonas Fooks
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
| | - Simon Williams
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
| | - Graham Box
- School of Law, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, UK
| | - Gary Sacks
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3125, Australia
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Carter HE, Schofield DJ, Shrestha R, Veerman L. The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax and their impact on cost-effectiveness. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220209. [PMID: 31329651 PMCID: PMC6645543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To estimate the productivity impacts of a policy intervention on the prevention of premature mortality due to obesity. Methods A simulation model of the Australian population over the period from 2003 to 2030 was developed to estimate productivity gains associated with premature deaths averted due to an obesity prevention intervention that applied a 10% tax on unhealthy foods. Outcome measures were the total working years gained, and the present value of lifetime income (PVLI) gained. Impacts were modelled over the period from 2003 to 2030. Costs are reported in 2018 Australian dollars and a 3% discount rate was applied to all future benefits. Results Premature deaths averted due to a junk food tax accounted for over 8,000 additional working years and a $307 million increase in PVLI. Deaths averted in men between the ages of 40 to 59, and deaths averted from ischaemic heart disease, were responsible for the largest gains. Conclusions The productivity gains associated with a junk food tax are substantial, accounting for almost twice the value of the estimated savings to the health care system. The results we have presented provide evidence that the adoption of a societal perspective, when compared to a health sector perspective, provides a more comprehensive estimate of the cost-effectiveness of a junk food tax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Carter
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Deborah J. Schofield
- Centre for Economic Impacts of Genomic Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rupendra Shrestha
- Centre for Economic Impacts of Genomic Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lennert Veerman
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Demaio A, Jones A. The true price of sugar-sweetened disease: political inertia requires renewed, strategic action. Med J Aust 2018; 209:60-61. [PMID: 29976130 DOI: 10.5694/mja18.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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