Academy of Social Sciences’ Post

Social scientists 📢 Are you interested in dietary health inequalities in the UK food system? There’s only a week left to apply for UK Research and Innovation funding which aims to foster a better understanding of the causes of dietary health inequalities in the UK food system and deliver place-based, solution-focused interventions to improve equity and health. This funding opportunity aims to support interdisciplinary research and innovation which will: ➡ improve the understanding of the causes of dietary health inequalities in the UK food system at local levels, regional levels or both ➡ deliver place-based, solution-focused interventions to reduce dietary health inequalities in the UK food system at local levels, regional levels, or both ➡ inform policy and practice by working with stakeholders (government, business and/or the third sector) to deliver interventions ➡ increase interdisciplinary research capability and capacity in reducing dietary health inequalities in UK food systems ⏰ The deadline for applications is 19 September 2024. Find out more and apply ➡ https://lnkd.in/e2HdqhSd #socialscience #funding #healthinequalities

Food Standards Scotland and Public Health Scotland have published a joint briefing paper calling for ambitious action to transform Scotland’s food environment into one that supports and prioritises health. The briefing paper has been published following the announcement from the Scottish Government of a consultation on proposed regulations to restrict the promotion of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt, which has been welcomed by both organisations. The paper highlights that Scotland is far from meeting its healthy eating goals and the direct impact this has on the health of the population, particularly on children living in less affluent areas who are more likely to be exposed to unhealthy food on their high streets and where childhood obesity rates are highest. It notes that improvements to the food environment, including increasing the number of healthy foods on promotion, will make it easier for people to access healthier options and ultimately improve the health of people in Scotland. Find out more and view the briefing paper 🔽 https://bit.ly/3wAE7R2

Public Health Scotland and Food Standards Scotland have published a joint briefing paper calling for ambitious action to transform Scotland’s food environment into one that supports and prioritises health. The briefing paper has been published following the announcement from The Scottish Government Government of a consultation on proposed regulations to restrict the promotion of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt, which has been welcomed by both organisations. The paper highlights that Scotland is far from meeting its healthy eating goals and the direct impact this has on the health of the population, particularly on children living in less affluent areas who are more likely to be exposed to unhealthy food on their high streets and where childhood obesity rates are highest. It notes that improvements to the food environment, including increasing the number of healthy foods on promotion, will make it easier for people to access healthier options and ultimately improve the health of people in Scotland. Find out more and view the briefing paper 🔽 https://lnkd.in/e9YAiAs3

On food and health...

These findings also aligns with global efforts to address rising health concerns. Such taxes aim to discourage the consumption of unhealthy foods and promote better dietary choices, potentially reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. However, this will need comprehensive implementation, public awareness, and addressing potential socioeconomic impacts to ensure equitable health outcomes and avoid huge burden on nation's health 20 years down the line when this young population cohort turns grey. #noncommunicablediseases #diabetesawareness #cardiovascular #globaldevelopment #healthcare #globalhealth

Food is essential for our survival, but millions of people still go to sleep with empty stomachs. For children, failing to meet the nutrients and food necessary during the critical growth period will lead to stunting and wasting, affecting other key developmental milestones, including cognitive ones. On the other hand, unhealthy diets can lead to obesity and other health problems. In this light, reducing inequalities in food security and nutrition becomes a priority to improve people’s quality of life. Then, how can we tackle this systemic issue? Tap the link below to understand more about food-related crises and how to solve this issue. https://lnkd.in/g894E3Dv #GreenNetworkAsia #Sustainability #SustainableDevelopment #SDGs2030 #FoodInsecurity #FoodCrises #FoodInsecurityAwareness #EndFoodInsecurity #EndHunger

Check out a recent article from a #SocioEconomicInequalities_ISBNPA SIG member! This study quantified absolute and relative gaps in diet quality and UPF intake of a nationally representative sample of adults in Canada by Indigenous status and race/ethnicity, and trends between 2004 and 2015. 👇 https://lnkd.in/dCRU4ZFb

I often share my background of growing up in rural, southern Virginia in a place with no stoplights and the nearest grocery store being almost 30 minutes away by car. If you have worked with me at any point in the last 10 years, I am always reminding people that yes, not everyone in the US has access to the internet and yes, this does impact food and nutrition security and health. Much of our federal guidance or information is for the general population so I was pleased to use the "Rural Healthy People 2030" from Texas A&M University, a rural specific version of HHS's "Healthy People 2030" in some recent work I was doing. A few highlights in their resource specific to nutrition: 🍎People in rural areas are less likely to consume the recommended five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables than those in urban areas. 🥤Rural adults are more likely to consume sugar-sweetened beverages than urban adults. 🏠Food insecurity rates are higher in rural areas than urban areas; in 2021, 10.8% of households outside metropolitan areas were food insecure, compared to 10.1% of households in metropolitan areas; and nearly 90% of high food insecurity counties are rural. ⚕️Rates of hypertension are higher in rural areas (40.0%) than in urban areas (29.4%). I hope this resource can be useful for others in their area of work to help improve health in rural populations! #ruralhealth #nutrition #nutritionpolicy #foodpolicy #publichealthnutrition #ruralnutrition #healthypeople2030 https://lnkd.in/eUGuU-se

Next week, I get to participate in the European Health Forum Gastein for the second time as part of the Young Forum Gastein. ✨ From the program, I am particularly looking forward to the sessions exploring Europe’s unhealthy and unjust food systems as well as the obstacles to achieving the NCD targets. The prevention of NCDs is closely tied to the actions of commercial stakeholders, and the responsibility for healthier lifestyles can no longer (if it ever could) rest solely on individuals. Systemic changes are necessary, including legislation to reduce the availability and marketing of unhealthy products, whether related to food, alcohol, or tobacco. I’m excited to learn more about these (and other) topics, engage in fruitful conversations, and gain new ideas ‑ especially those relevant to my PhD research at Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) exploring the relationship between healthier and more sustainable diets and the risk of NCDs. Have a look at this excellent article introducing the topic of “Unhealthy profits - obstacles to achieving the NCD targets”: https://lnkd.in/dYV_JyCR

The concept of “Food is Medicine” has gained prominence as a strategy to address diet-related chronic health conditions and reduce food insecurity. By integrating access to nutritious food within the health care system, this approach recognizes that nourishment plays a crucial role in overall well-being. Roughly, 33.8 million people in the UNITED STATES are living in food-insecure households today. Promoting Food is Medicine initiatives can help improve health outcomes and equity. Investing and increasing financial support for these interventions can offer expedient ways to enhance both health and food security, even if they don’t fully address the root causes of suboptimal diets. https://lnkd.in/gT2iFYTP.