Adherence
A government-supported 'soft regulation' policy combining industry agreements and public education to reduce sodium intake by 10% over 10 years is highly cost-effective globally, averting millions of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) at a mean cost of approximately I$204 per DALY saved.
Governments can significantly reduce cardiovascular disease and save lives by implementing a 'soft regulation' policy that encourages food manufacturers to lower sodium in processed foods, supported by public education. This approach is highly cost-effective, costing roughly $204 per disability-adjusted life year saved, which is well below standard thresholds for cost-effective interventions. Even in high-income countries, it remains a 'best buy' for public health.
Worldwide, a 10% reduction in sodium consumption over 10 years within each country was projected to avert approximately 5.8 million DALYs/year related to cardiovascular diseases, at a population weighted mean cost of I$1.13 per capita over the 10 year intervention. The population weighted mean cost effectiveness ratio was approximately I$204/DALY.
Why this rating
Global modeling study with robust sensitivity analyses and large population coverage (183 nations), though based on modeled estimates rather than direct RCT data for the specific policy.
Source
Cost effectiveness of a government supported policy strategy to decrease sodium intake: global analysis across 183 nations
Michael A. Webb et al. · BMJ · 2017
DOI 10.1136/bmj.i6699
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