Non-communicable Diseases and Nutrition

Abstract As a first case-study chapter, Chapter 4 explores the issue areas of nutrition (mainly undernutrition and hunger) and non-communicable diseases, which refer to cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. PPPs are not widely used to address non-communicable diseases and nutrition. This is quite puzzling because both public and private actors have shown interest in working together to address these issues. What have restrained the development of PPPs? These two cases encapsulate the “conflicting preferences” scenario articulated in this book’s theory. The cases demonstrate that civil society coalitions have predominantly advocated for stringent public regulations in these issue areas. More specifically, civil society supported regulations in relation with the tobacco, alcohol, and food and beverage industries because those products increase the risk of developing non-communicable diseases and exacerbate malnutrition. Civil society organizations recognize those industries as the source of the problem rather than potential partners, and they have consistently opposed PPPs. In contrast, the industries have vocally supported PPPs, arguing that voluntary partnerships are a better and more effective alternative to public regulations. Facing the conflicting preferences between civil society and the business sector, the UN organizations have mostly shown reluctance to engage with the industries and provided a list of regulatory measures as recommended policy interventions. The cases highlight that civil society’s opposition can mitigate the development of PPPs, especially when they speak in a single voice.