RegNet co-hosts roundtable on unpacking advocacy strategies for influence

How can health advocates influence the activities of harmful commodity industries? How are NGOs across Australia and internationally managing their interactions with commercial actors? In late 2023, the Australian Research Centre for Health Equity (ARCHE) and the ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance held a national roundtable on unpacking health advocacy strategies in the commercial determinants of health. Led by Dr Bel Townsend and Professor Sharon Friel, the roundtable comprised a mix of leading public health, medication, nutrition, alcohol, NCD-focused and social justice organisations and academics from diverse disciplines with a strong interest in the regulation of alcohol and ultra-processed foods industries. Academic researchers presented findings from an ARC Linkage research project that has analysed strategies used by organisations in Australia and internationally.

Read the roundtable report here.

As part of this roundtable, Dr Bel Townsend presented findings from a scholarly review of 144 studies of NGOs. The framework of NGO inside and outside strategies was published in Globalization and Health, and key highlights are captured in this infographic below.

Access the infographic pdf here.