World Health Assembly 2015: Counting the cost of unhealthy diets
As health ministers from around the world met for the 68th World Health Assembly, Consumers International (CI) was active in Geneva, and online, to make the case for a Global Convention to Protect and Promote Healthy Diets.
As the Assembly opened, CI launched a new online counter that recorded the number of deaths around the world that were related to unhealthy diets and the global financial cost of obesity since the start of the Assembly.
By the end of the week it had reached an astonishing 723,278 deaths and over $38 billion. The counter also made a splash on social media with many CI Members and public health groups sharing the shocking numbers.
The counter was CI’s contribution to raising public awareness about the global cost of unhealthy diets. Results from a new international poll commissioned by CI, showed that more than 4 out of 5 people underestimate the global impact of unhealthy diets when compared to other causes such as war or smoking.
We also had a strong presence at the Assembly itself. Anna Glayzer, CI’s Global Manager for Food and Nutrition, made a presentation at an event on the opening day of the Assembly alongside health ministers from Ecuador, Indonesia and Paraquay, as well as the Chief Medical Officer from Australia, and the Head of PAHO.
Anna’s presentation highlighted the global challenge posed by unhealthy diets and called on all countries to support CI’s proposal for a Global Convention to Protect and Promote Healthy Diets.