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Review
. 2018 Jul 6:42:e58.
doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2018.58. eCollection 2018.

Integrating economics into the rationale for multisectoral action on obesity

Vivian L Ellis  1 , Olga V Milliken  1
Affiliations
Review

Integrating economics into the rationale for multisectoral action on obesity

Vivian L Ellis et al. Rev Panam Salud Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Portuguese

Obesity is a compelling example of the challenges of championing and mobilizing a response that involves the whole of government and all of society. This paper discusses the need for economic rationales to strengthen the case for government intervention on obesity, with a view to better engaging the expertise and resources of nonhealth sectors. The paper also briefly reviews economic theory and evidence that could support an integrated multisectoral rationale for action, noting opportunities to expand the integration of economic evidence in the Americas.

La obesidad es un ejemplo contundente de los retos que implica el defender y movilizar una respuesta que abarque a todo el gobierno y toda la sociedad. En este artículo se aborda la necesidad de contar con fundamentos económicos para respaldar la pertinencia de la intervención gubernamental en materia de obesidad, a fin de incorporar la pericia y los recursos de sectores ajenos al sector de la salud. En el artículo también se examina brevemente la teoría económica y la evidencia que podrían sustentar un fundamento multisectorial integrado para la acción, a la vez que se destacan las oportunidades para ampliar la integración de la evidencia económica en la Región de las Américas.

A obesidade é um bom exemplo do desafio de defender e mobilizar uma resposta que envolva o governo e a sociedade como um todo. Este artigo aborda a necessidade de fundamentação econômica para fortalecer o argumento para a intervenção do governo na obesidade visando atrair mais conhecimento especializado e recursos dos setores externos à saúde. O artigo analisa resumidamente a teoria econômica e as evidências que poderiam embasar uma fundamentação multissetorial integrada para ação e destaca as oportunidades para ampliar a integração das evidências econômicas nas Américas.

Keywords: Obesity; health behavior; health economics; models, economic; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest. None declared.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1. Cycle for the integration of economic theory into multisectoral public health action on obesity
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2. Loss of societal welfare (well-being) due to externalities in individuals' consumption choicesᵃ
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3. Loss of societal welfare (well-being) due to externalities in firms' production choicesᵃ
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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