“Unhealthy Commodities: International Project Launches to Tackle Impact on Sub-Saharan Africa’s Health”

Story by Fada Amakye

“Unhealthy Commodities: International Project Launches to Tackle Impact on Sub-Saharan Africa’s Health”

A team of researchers from an international collaboration has launched a pioneering project aimed at understanding the complex ways commercial practices impact health across Sub-Saharan Africa. Led by Professor Jeff Collin, the project will investigate the influence of commercial actors on population health, focusing on three key industries: ultra-processed food, alcohol, and fossil fuels.

The research highlights a startling statistic: four commercial products are responsible for approximately 19 million global deaths annually. In Ghana, the situation is equally alarming, with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounting for 40% of deaths. Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer are rapidly increasing, with key findings from the 2023 Ghana WHO STEPS survey revealing that 20% of the population consumes alcohol, while over 70% fail to consume recommended portions of fruits and vegetables.

The project seeks to generate innovative, interdisciplinary research that can inform policy-making and promote sustainable development. Key objectives include:

1.Mapping health impacts

2.Developing economic models to regulate commodity industries

3.Enhancing health governance by managing potential conflicts of interest

Professor Francis Zotor, a public health nutrition expert, delivered a passionate call to action, highlighting the devastating impact of alcohol, sugar-sweetened beverages, and ultra-processed foods on the nation’s health. Dr. Daniel Boateng emphasized that the initiative is “not anti-business, but pro-health, pro-transparency, and pro-equity.”

The project brings together researchers from universities and research centers in Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya, and is funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research in the United Kingdom. By working closely with local civil society organizations and government agencies, the researchers aim to generate evidence that can directly inform national and regional health strategies.

Experts stressed the urgent need for multi-sectoral collaboration, including policy changes, civil society advocacy, and international support to combat the aggressive marketing strategies of unhealthy commodity industries. The project will prioritize research in low-income countries, addressing a significant gap in existing studies that have predominantly focused on high-income regions.

The launch of this groundbreaking project marks an important step towards understanding the complex ways commercial practices impact health in Sub-Saharan Africa.

By generating innovative research and informing policy-making, the project aims to promote sustainable development and improve health outcomes across the region.