Ana Luísa Falcomer1, Bruna Araújo Luchine2, Hanna Ramalho Gadelha2, José Roberto Szelmenczi2, Eduardo Yoshio Nakano3, Priscila Farage4, Renata Puppin Zandonadi2. 1. Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil. anafalcomer@gmail.com. 2. Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil. 3. Department of Statistics, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil. 4. Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Campus Colemar Natal e Silva, Setor Leste Universitário, Goiânia, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate public policies (PP) to celiac disease (CD) patients and classify countries regarding the level of assistance provided by the Public Policies for Celiac Disease Score. METHODS: Countries were scored from 0 to 6 according to the existence of PP regarding industrial food and meal regulations, health service support, food allowance/financial incentive, gluten-free (GF) food certification, and CD associations. Subsequently, countries were allocated to continents. In total, 192 countries are registered as members of the World Health Organization. RESULTS: The European continent (score 3.63) is the most advanced in CD patient care, followed by South America (2.86), North America (1.05), Asia (0.53), Oceania (0.5), and Africa (0.27). Industrial food regulations were the most frequent PP (40.6%). 15.6% of the countries display regulations for meals; 13.5% have health service support; 13.5% have policies of food allowance/financial incentive; 19.3% have GF certification; and 34.4% have celiac associations. CONCLUSIONS: Policies regarding GF meals and food safety certification, health service support, and financial incentives need improvement to ensure correct treatment and reduce the diseases' financial burden for celiac patients and governments.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate public policies (PP) to celiac disease (CD) patients and classify countries regarding the level of assistance provided by the Public Policies for Celiac Disease Score. METHODS: Countries were scored from 0 to 6 according to the existence of PP regarding industrial food and meal regulations, health service support, food allowance/financial incentive, gluten-free (GF) food certification, and CD associations. Subsequently, countries were allocated to continents. In total, 192 countries are registered as members of the World Health Organization. RESULTS: The European continent (score 3.63) is the most advanced in CD patient care, followed by South America (2.86), North America (1.05), Asia (0.53), Oceania (0.5), and Africa (0.27). Industrial food regulations were the most frequent PP (40.6%). 15.6% of the countries display regulations for meals; 13.5% have health service support; 13.5% have policies of food allowance/financial incentive; 19.3% have GF certification; and 34.4% have celiac associations. CONCLUSIONS: Policies regarding GF meals and food safety certification, health service support, and financial incentives need improvement to ensure correct treatment and reduce the diseases' financial burden for celiac patients and governments.
Entities:
Keywords:
Celiac disease; Legislation; Public health; Regulation
Authors: Govind K Makharia; Prashant Singh; Carlo Catassi; David S Sanders; Daniel Leffler; Raja Affendi Raja Ali; Julio C Bai Journal: Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2022-01-03 Impact factor: 46.802