Commercial determinants of non-communicable diseases: the imperative for a systems approach

ABSTRACT

The increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) challenges conventional approaches to public health. The struggle to curb preventable NCDs persists due to narrow reductionist biomedical paradigms and the influence of corporate actors in shaping unhealthy environments, a concept known as the commercial determinants of health. This phenomenon, amplified by globalisation, affects health through various factors. To promote global well-being, commercial entities must be incentivised to shift from profit-driven models to socially and environmentally responsible practices. This shift demands adherence to regulations preventing harm and support for public health policies, urging a systemic understanding of NCDs as outcomes of complex systems.