Economic and commercial factors, and health

 Many studies show poor health is associated with low economic productivity, loss of taxes and reduced quality of life. But this is a two-way relationship, and the impact of the private sector and commercial factors on health and health equity cannot be ignored. This impact is felt through physical and social environments (e.g. street design in disadvantaged neighbourhoods that favours car use; disproportionate targeting of marketing of unhealthy products to low-income communities; or lobbying government against pro-public health policies or social protection for workers such as paid maternity leave); and through institutions, regulatory systems and policies that favour commercial interests over public health, or create barriers for people to access essential goods and services. While the private sector is a critical partner in tackling health inequities, work is needed to strengthen cooperation while protecting against conflicts of interest. 

COVID-19, economic and commercial factors, and health: While the private sector has played a crucial role in the pandemic response (from repurposing facilities to produce hand sanitizer through to developing therapeutics and vaccines), corporate practices have nonetheless impacted behaviours, environments and regulatory systems in ways that contributed to vulnerabilities – such as underlying health conditions caused by NCDs, poor air quality and lack of access to clean water services, as well as weak environmental, health or social protection. The pandemic has caused the largest global recession in history – the brunt of which will be borne by communities and countries that can least afford it. COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerability of the global economic model and demonstrated how interdependent the relationships are between health, the economy and inequalities. 

Action: Sound public sector decision‐making processes and governance that prevent conflicts of interest and ensure investments in health and health equity are essential. Economic recovery plans must move away from business as usual. Societies need to protect themselves, and acknowledge that saving money by neglecting environmental protection, emergency preparedness, health systems, and social safety nets is false economy. Decisions made in the coming months must not “lock in” economic development patterns are doing permanent and escalating damage to the ecological systems that sustain all human health and livelihoods, but rather promote a healthier, fairer, and greener world.