October 22, 2024
Heart disease remains the world’s leading cause of death. But it doesn't have to be. The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) is at the forefront of the battle against cardiovascular disease, partnering with global advocates to pass life-saving policies. One approach is supporting policies that reduce dietary sodium intake—an initiative that not only saves lives but also cuts the soaring economic costs of treating chronic, diet-related diseases.
How do we make that happen? Front-of-package warning labels (FOPWL) are a powerful tool. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes front-of-package labels as a cost-effective measure in the fight against obesity and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and a key policy tool to protect and promote the human right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Leading the charge in Southeast Asia is the Philippines, a country identified as a frontrunner in the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity, launched during the 75th World Health Assembly in 2022 to tackle the growing crisis of obesity.
In September, GHAI joined forces with Resolve to Save Lives for a three-day workshop aimed at accelerating global and local collaboration to create an evidence-based FOPWL policy for the Philippines. Policy advocacy is a team sport—it thrives on the power of collaboration and coordination across every level of the policy process. This workshop was a nexus for key players: representatives from civil society (ImagineLaw and HealthJustice), academia (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health), Vital Strategies, local government, WHO and UNICEF all gathered to pool their expertise and push for progress.
Experts from WHO and the Philippines Department of Health – Health Promotion Bureau presented the nation’s top priorities in battling obesity and NCDs, giving a clear snapshot of ongoing efforts and mapping out potential areas of collaboration. It was a chance to reflect on the past year’s wins and roadblocks—and, more importantly, to pinpoint the strategies that will drive the current campaign forward.
With so many voices at the table, this gathering wasn’t just another conference—it was a chance to forge consensus on the roadmap to passing a mandatory FOPWL policy in the Philippines. Together, stakeholders dissected the best- and worst-case scenarios in the policy process and considered lessons learned from other regions, crafting an actionable plan that aligns with government goals and ensures shared ownership of the advocacy strategy.
Passing and implementing FOPWL policies is a vital piece of the broader food systems movement. It’s not just about warning labels—it’s about reshaping the entire food environment. The workshop highlighted the importance of harmonizing efforts across sectors and ensuring that advocacy is firing on all cylinders, from the grassroots to the top levels of government.
August 20, 2026
When the FIFA World Cup kicked off in June 2026, so did one of the largest ultra-processed product (UPP) marketing pushes in the sport's history. All over the world, UPP companies, such as Coca-Cola, Lays and Pepsico, spent months embedding their products into the emotional core of the world's most-watched sporting event, reaching billions of fans.
August 14, 2026
July 27, 2026
The FIFA World Cup is more than a football tournament; it stirs passion and captures the attention of billions worldwide, making it one of the most powerful commercial platforms on earth. Global brands compete to associate their products with the excitement and sense of belonging the sport inspires. But when that marketing targets children and adolescents, boundaries of advertising should be drawn.
