Episode 75: Health Inequalities and Corporate Influence: Unveiling the Food Industry's Impact

In this episode of the RCP Medicine podcast's Health Inequalities series, Dr. Rohan Mehra delves into the commercial determinants of health—how private sector activities influence health outcomes and deepen inequalities. This episode focuses on the food industry, examining how corporate actions like product design, marketing, and lobbying can negatively impact public health.

Joining Rohan is Dr. Chris Van Tulleken, an infectious diseases consultant at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London, associate professor at University College London, and an acclaimed researcher and BAFTA wining broadcaster. Chris’ work, including his bestselling book Ultra-Processed People, shines a light on how corporations, particularly in the food industry, affect health, especially in the context of child nutrition. Together, they explore the pressing issue of corporate influence on health and discuss practical ways to address these challenges.

Resources:

Lancet commercial determinants of health series: 

https://www.thelancet.com/series/commercial-determinants-health

Commercial determinants of health- WHO fact sheet

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/commercial-determinants-of-health

LSHTM research on commercial determinants of health (CDRG workgroup)

https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/centres-projects-groups/cdrg 

 
Music: www.bensound.com