Rodrigo Rodriguez-Fernandez1, Margarida Siopa2, Sarah J Simpson3, Rachel M Amiya4, Joao Breda5, Francesco P Cappuccio6. 1. 1Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health,Charité-Universitätsmedizin,Charitéplatz 1,10117 Berlin,Germany. 2. 2Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition,University of Porto,Oporto,Portugal. 3. 3School of Public Health and Community Medicine,University of New South Wales,Sydney,Australia. 4. 4Department of Community and Global Health,Graduate School of Medicine,University of Tokyo,Tokyo,Japan. 5. 5Noncommunicable Diseases and Health Promotion,World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe,Copenhagen,Denmark. 6. 6Division of Mental Health & Wellbeing,Warwick Medical School,WHO Collaborating Centre for Nutrition,University of Warwick,Warwick,UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess current salt reduction policies in countries of the WHO European Region against the backdrop of varying levels of human development adjusted for income, education and health (longevity) inequalities. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study, with data gathered through systematic review of relevant databases and supplementary information provided by WHO Nutrition Counterparts. SETTING: Member States of the WHO European Region. SUBJECTS: Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index scores were analysed against assessed levels of development and implementation of national nutrition policies and initiatives targeting population-level salt reduction. RESULTS: Within the WHO European Region, Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index values among countries with no existing salt reduction initiatives (mean 0·643 (se 0·022)) were significantly lower than among those with either partially implemented/planned salt initiatives (mean 0·766 (se 0·017), P < 0·001) or fully implemented salt initiatives (mean 0·780 (se 0·021), P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: Where salt reduction strategies are implemented as an integral part of national policy, outcomes have been promising. However, low- and middle-income countries may face severe resource constraints that keep them from emulating more comprehensive strategies pursued in high-income countries. Care must be taken to ensure that gaps are not inadvertently widened by monitoring differential policy impacts of salt policies, particularly regarding trade flows.
OBJECTIVE: To assess current salt reduction policies in countries of the WHO European Region against the backdrop of varying levels of human development adjusted for income, education and health (longevity) inequalities. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study, with data gathered through systematic review of relevant databases and supplementary information provided by WHO Nutrition Counterparts. SETTING: Member States of the WHO European Region. SUBJECTS: Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index scores were analysed against assessed levels of development and implementation of national nutrition policies and initiatives targeting population-level salt reduction. RESULTS: Within the WHO European Region, Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index values among countries with no existing salt reduction initiatives (mean 0·643 (se 0·022)) were significantly lower than among those with either partially implemented/planned salt initiatives (mean 0·766 (se 0·017), P < 0·001) or fully implemented salt initiatives (mean 0·780 (se 0·021), P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: Where salt reduction strategies are implemented as an integral part of national policy, outcomes have been promising. However, low- and middle-income countries may face severe resource constraints that keep them from emulating more comprehensive strategies pursued in high-income countries. Care must be taken to ensure that gaps are not inadvertently widened by monitoring differential policy impacts of salt policies, particularly regarding trade flows.
Authors: Marieke A H Hendriksen; Johanna M Geleijnse; Joop M A van Raaij; Francesco P Cappuccio; Linda C Cobiac; Peter Scarborough; Wilma J Nusselder; Abbygail Jaccard; Hendriek C Boshuizen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-11-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Lirije Hyseni; Alex Elliot-Green; Ffion Lloyd-Williams; Chris Kypridemos; Martin O'Flaherty; Rory McGill; Lois Orton; Helen Bromley; Francesco P Cappuccio; Simon Capewell Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-05-18 Impact factor: 3.240