Global Fund collusion with liquor giant is a clear conflict of interest

Matzopoulos, Richard; Parry, Charles D. H.; Corrigall, Joanne; Myers, Jonny; Goldstein, Sue; London, Leslie

doi:10.2471/blt.11.091413

Cited by 18 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The second most‐cited theme in this analysis relates to corporate interests of international alcohol producers ( n = 30). Studies describe the involvement of the alcohol industry in countries’ policymaking process, corporate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility activities, which are designed to protect commercial interests and therefore increase the availability and consumption of alcoholic beverages . In addition to the increasing involvement of transnational alcohol corporations in the development of public health policies in Africa , the literature we reviewed calls attention to the fact that the number of industry‐funded studies, books and other scientific publications is also increasing, thereby creating a situation where conflict of interest begins to compromise the credibility of scientific information .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol and public health in Africa: can we prevent alcohol-related harm from increasing?

et al. 2015

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To address the emerging risk factors associated with increased alcohol consumption, African governments need to take a more active role in protecting the public's health. In particular, important strategic shifts are needed to increase implementation of intersectoral strategies, community involvement in the policy dialogue, health services re-orientation and better regulation of the alcohol beverage industry.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol and public health in Africa: can we prevent alcohol-related harm from increasing?

et al. 2015

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“…w59). It is well established that the tobacco industry has used corporate philanthropy as a political device, 25–27 though little attention internationally has previously been paid to the alcohol industry and charities 28 , 29 . Attention is also shifting to other strategies used by the tobacco industry, such as subversion of peer-reviewed science 30–32 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The alcohol industry, charities and policy influence in the UK

Lyness

McCambridge

2014

European Journal of Public Health

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Background: Charities exist to pursue a public benefit, whereas corporations serve the interests of their shareholders. The alcohol industry uses corporate social responsibility activities to further its interests in influencing alcohol policy. Many charities also seek to influence alcohol and other policy. The aim of this study was to explore relationships between the alcohol industry and charities in the UK and whether these relationships may be used as a method of influencing alcohol policy. Methods: The charity regulator websites for England and Wales and for Scotland were the main data sources used to identify charities involved in UK alcohol policy making processes and/or funded by the alcohol industry. Results: Five charities were identified that both receive alcohol industry funding and are active in UK alcohol policy processes: Drinkaware; the Robertson Trust; British Institute of Innkeeping; Mentor UK and Addaction. The latter two are the sole remaining non-industry non-governmental members of the controversial responsibility deal alcohol network, from which all other public health interests have resigned. Conclusion: This study raises questions about the extent to which the alcohol industry is using UK charities as vehicles to further their own interests in UK alcohol policy. Mechanisms of industry influence in alcohol policy making globally is an important target for further investigations designed to assist the implementation of evidenced-based policies.

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“…A 2012 round table of the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation explored the ‘collusion’ between the Global Fund and SAB as a clear and unacceptable conflict of interest (Matzopoulos et al . ). A group representing the South African Medical Research Council, the University of Cape Town's Department of Public Health and the national NGO Soul City argued that SAB's receipt of the Global Fund's Round 9 funding was problematic as it ‘reflects the successful attempt of a highly profitable industry to position itself as committed to public health objectives’ (Matzopoulos et al .…”

Section: Alcohol and Csr: Sab And Tipmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…A group representing the South African Medical Research Council, the University of Cape Town's Department of Public Health and the national NGO Soul City argued that SAB's receipt of the Global Fund's Round 9 funding was problematic as it ‘reflects the successful attempt of a highly profitable industry to position itself as committed to public health objectives’ (Matzopoulos et al . : 67). This strategic positioning, operationalised through partnership working, ‘lend[s] legitimacy and provide[s] a platform’ (Matzopoulos et al .…”

Section: Alcohol and Csr: Sab And Tipmentioning

confidence: 97%

The post‐2015 landscape: vested interests, corporate social responsibility and public health advocacy

Herrick

2016

Sociology Health & Illness

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This paper explores the tensions between UN calls for private sector engagement in the post-2015 landscape and public health opposition to those 'harm industries' that are 'corporate vectors of disease' for the mounting global non-communicable disease burden. The UN's support for public-private partnership has provided industries with 'vested interests' in the propagation of unhealthy behaviours with new opportunities for the strategic alignment of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavours with the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. This has galvanised public health advocates to place pressure on the World Health Organisation to formalise their ambiguous stance towards private sector involvement in public policy formation and the resultant 'conflicts of interest'. This paper critically examines the 'gathering storm' between this 'anti-corporate movement' and the alcohol industry in the increasingly politicised domain of CSR. Drawing on the example of SABMiller's Tavern Intervention Program, the paper argues that CSR represents a profound threat to the sanctity and moral authority of the public health worldview. Questions therefore need to be asked about whether the public health-led path of industry non-association will necessarily result in health improvements or just a further retrenchment of the ideological faultlines explored in the paper.

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Global Fund collusion with liquor giant is a clear conflict of interest

Cited by 18 publications

References 18 publications

Alcohol and public health in Africa: can we prevent alcohol-related harm from increasing?

Alcohol and public health in Africa: can we prevent alcohol-related harm from increasing?

The alcohol industry, charities and policy influence in the UK

The post‐2015 landscape: vested interests, corporate social responsibility and public health advocacy

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