Open AccessDevelopment of Australia's front‐of‐pack interpretative nutrition labelling Health Star Rating system: lessons for public health advocates
Author(s) -
Moore Michael,
Jones Alexandra,
Pollard Christina M.,
Yeatman Heather
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12906
Subject(s) - public health , public relations , government (linguistics) , opposition (politics) , political science , business , medicine , nursing , politics , linguistics , philosophy , law
Objectives : To draw advocacy lessons from actions undertaken by public health groups to assist the development of Australia and New Zealand's Health Star Rating (HSR) front‐of‐pack nutrition labelling system. Methods : The advocacy approaches undertaken by the Public Health Association of Australia leading up to the time of the adoption of the HSR is examined using a 10 step advocacy framework. Key roles in advocacy planning and implementation are described, along with coordinating efforts by health and consumer groups during the HSR development processes. Results : HSR aims to support consumers to make informed choices to protect from diet‐related diseases, including obesity. The HSR launched despite a number of major obstacles, owing to a strategic, coordinated advocacy effort undertaken by a guiding coalition. Conclusions : Actions to improve nutrition are often highly contested, particularly if the desired outcome competes with commercial interests. However, by deploying a structured approach to public health advocacy it is possible to influence government despite opposition from commercial interests. Implications for public health : A shared vision and a coordinated effort by public health professionals enabled advocates to overcome undue commercial influence.