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Illustrating the impact of commercial determinants of health on the global COVID-19 pandemic: Thematic analysis of 16 country case studies

Author

Listed:
  • Freeman, Toby
  • Baum, Fran
  • Musolino, Connie
  • Flavel, Joanne
  • McKee, Martin
  • Chi, Chunhuei
  • Giugliani, Camila
  • Falcão, Matheus Zuliane
  • De Ceukelaire, Wim
  • Howden-Chapman, Philippa
  • Nguyen, Thanh Huong
  • Serag, Hani
  • Kim, Sun
  • Carlos, Alvarez Dardet
  • Gesesew, Hailay Abrha
  • London, Leslie
  • Popay, Jennie
  • Paremoer, Lauren
  • Tangcharoensathien, Viroj
  • Sundararaman, T
  • Nandi, Sulakshana
  • Villar, Eugenio

Abstract

Previous research on commercial determinants of health has primarily focused on their impact on non-communicable diseases. However, they also impact on infectious diseases and on the broader preconditions for health. We describe, through case studies in 16 countries, how commercial determinants of health were visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they may have influenced national responses and health outcomes. We use a comparative qualitative case study design in selected low- middle- and high-income countries that performed differently in COVID-19 health outcomes, and for which we had country experts to lead local analysis. We created a data collection framework and developed detailed case studies, including extensive grey and peer-reviewed literature. Themes were identified and explored using iterative rapid literature reviews. We found evidence of the influence of commercial determinants of health in the spread of COVID-19. This occurred through working conditions that exacerbated spread, including precarious, low-paid employment, use of migrant workers, procurement practices that limited the availability of protective goods and services such as personal protective equipment, and commercial actors lobbying against public health measures. Commercial determinants also influenced health outcomes by influencing vaccine availability and the health system response to COVID-19. Our findings contribute to determining the appropriate role of governments in governing for health, wellbeing, and equity, and regulating and addressing negative commercial determinants of health.

Suggested Citation

  • Freeman, Toby & Baum, Fran & Musolino, Connie & Flavel, Joanne & McKee, Martin & Chi, Chunhuei & Giugliani, Camila & Falcão, Matheus Zuliane & De Ceukelaire, Wim & Howden-Chapman, Philippa & Nguyen, T, 2023. "Illustrating the impact of commercial determinants of health on the global COVID-19 pandemic: Thematic analysis of 16 country case studies," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:134:y:2023:i:c:s0168851023001458
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2023.104860
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Saranya Sachdev & Shaheda Viriyathorn & Somtanuek Chotchoungchatchai & Walaiporn Patcharanarumol & Viroj Tangcharoensathien, 2022. "Thailand's COVID‐19: How public financial management facilitated effective and accountable health sector responses," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 1894-1906, July.
    2. Jacob Assa & Cecilia Calderon, 2020. "Privatization and Pandemic: A Cross-Country Analysis of COVID-19 Rates and Health-Care Financing Structures," Working Papers 2008, New School for Social Research, Department of Economics.
    3. Tuyet-Anh T. Le & Kelly Vodden & Jianghua Wu & Ghada Atiwesh, 2021. "Policy Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-32, January.
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    5. Mark Turner & Seung-Ho Kwon & Michael O’Donnell, 2022. "State Effectiveness and Crises in East and Southeast Asia: The Case of COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-15, June.
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