June 2019

Volume 36, Issue 2

Political economy, trade relations and health inequalities: lessons from general health

Authors: Sharon Friel L Jamieson
doi: 10.1922/CDH_SpecialIssueFrielJamieson05

Abstract

This article argues that health outcomes, specifically nutrition related health outcomes, are socially determined, and can be linked to a wider political economy in which peoples’ dietary consumption is structurally determined, evolving from political, economic and social forces. The article examines trade and investment agreements as regulatory vehicles that cultivate poor dietary consumption and inequalities in health outcomes between and within countries. How does this happen? The liberalization of trade and investment, and unfettered influence of powerful economic interests including transnational food and beverage companies has resulted in trade agreements that enable excess availability, affordability and acceptability of highly processed, nutrient poor foods worldwide, ultimately resulting in poor nutrition and consequently oral and other non-communicable diseases. These trade and nutrition policy tensions shine a spotlight on the challenges ahead for global health and development policies, including achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Key words: trade and investment treaties; nutrition; oral health, political economy; health inequities

Download

Other articles in this issue

Article Pages Access
Editorial - How soon is soon enough? The challenge of implementing behaviours conducive to good oral health in at-risk infants and toddlers 89-90 Download
Dental Public Health in Action - Patient and professional engagement in the procurement of dental services 91-94 Download
A qualitative study on the oral health of humanitarian migrants in Canada 95-100 Download
What influences use of dental services by the Korean disabled people? The role of perceived barriers in dental care system 101-105 Download
In-school toothbrushing programs in Aboriginal communities in New South Wales, Australia: A thematic analysis of teachers’ perspectives 106-110 Download
Relationship between Caregivers’ Oral Health Literacy and their Child’s Caries Experience 111-117 Download
What evidence do economic evaluations in dental care provide? A scoping review 118-125 Download
The Effectiveness of Reform in the Dental Health Systems of Transitional Countries: The Case of Montenegro Health Reform (pilot study) 126-130 Download
Costs of dental care and its financial impacts on patients in a population with low availability of services 131-136 Download
Identifying the barriers and facilitators for homeless people to achieve good oral health 137-142 Download
Comparison of two measures to determine the oral health-related quality of life in elders with periodontal disease 143-149 Download
Transnational corporations and oral health inequalities; an introduction 151-151 Download
Political economy, trade relations and health inequalities: lessons from general health 152-156 Download
Transnational corporations and oral health: examples from the sugar industry 157-162 Download
The Transnational Tobacco Industry and Oral Health 163-168 Download
Transnational corporations, oral health and human agency: a sociological perspective 169-174 Download

Subscribe

Online (Single user only)
£150
Institution Online (IP address validation)
£250

Back issues may be obtained from the publisher

Consider recommending subscription to your institution's library

You can view Open Access papers without a subscription.