Extending the paradigm: a policy framework for healthy and equitable eating (HE2)

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Iniquities in healthy eating contribute to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases globally.
• Current policy responses often focus narrowly on the food system, neglecting broader social determinants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a new conceptualization of policy drivers influencing inequities in healthy eating.
• To call for the development of a framework populated with evidence-based actions to reduce these inequities.

Main Methods:

• A systems-based analytical approach was employed.
• Expert workshops were conducted to develop the framework.

Main Results:

• The Healthy and Equitable Eating (HE2) Framework was developed.
• The HE2 Framework expands policy considerations to include social determinants like housing, employment, education, and urban planning, alongside the food system.

Conclusions:

• Addressing social determinants of healthy eating requires policies extending beyond the traditional food system and environment.
• Governments, practitioners, and researchers must prioritize policies that tackle the root causes of healthy eating inequities to combat non-communicable diseases.