Research

Mixed

Corporate strategies prioritizing shareholder value maximization over public health actively propagate non-communicable diseases through marketing, lobbying, supply chain expansion, and corporate social responsibility, creating an environment where unhealthy products are more available, desirable, and affordable.

To improve population health, policy must target corporate practices rather than just individual behavior. This involves supporting regulations on marketing, lobbying transparency, and supply chain accountability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where market penetration is growing.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
We define the commercial determinants of health as 'strategies and approaches used by the private sector to promote products and choices that are detrimental to health'. Corporate influence is exerted through four channels: marketing, which enhances the desirability and acceptability of unhealthy commodities; lobbying, which can impede policy barriers... corporate social responsibility strategies, which can deflect attention and whitewash tarnished reputations; and extensive supply chains, which amplify company influence around the globe.
Ilona Kickbusch et al. · The Lancet Global Health · 2016

Why this rating

This is a conceptual commentary/policy paper citing empirical trends (lobbying spend, market index growth) rather than a primary clinical trial.

Source

The commercial determinants of health

Ilona Kickbusch et al. · The Lancet Global Health · 2016

DOI 10.1016/s2214-109x(16)30217-0

narrative_reviewCited 749×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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