Changing Corporate Practices to Reduce Cancer Disparities

Authors

Nicholas Freudenberg, CUNY School of Public HealthFollow
Sandro Galea, Boston University
Marianne Fahs, CUNY School of Public HealthFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2008

Abstract

While reducing racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in cancer mortality has been identified as a national goal, current policies are unlikely to achieve it. In order to advance the development of policies for the primary prevention of cancer and cancer disparities, we propose that the practices of the tobacco, alcohol, and food industries be considered as modifiable social determinants of health. We review evidence that the practices of these industries in product design, marketing, retail distribution, and pricing contribute to cancer risk behavior, incidence, and disparities, then examine public health strategies designed to reduce health-damaging practices of these industries and encourage healthier alternatives. We conclude with recommendations for research, practice, and policy that could contribute to the development of less carcinogenic corporate practices.

Comments

This work originally appeared in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, available at DOI 10.1353/hpu.2008.0012