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The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy and childhood hospital admissions for asthma in England

Author

Listed:
  • Nina T. Rogers

    (University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine)

  • Steven Cummins

    (Faculty of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

  • Catrin P. Jones

    (University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine)

  • Oliver T. Mytton

    (Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health)

  • Chrissy H. Roberts

    (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

  • Seif O. Shaheen

    (Queen Mary University of London
    University of Melbourne)

  • Syed Ahmar Shah

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Aziz Sheikh

    (University of Edinburgh
    University of Oxford)

  • Martin White

    (University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine)

  • Jean Adams

    (University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine)

Abstract

Sugar sweetened beverage consumption has been suggested as a risk factor for childhood asthma symptoms. We examined whether the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), announced in March 2016 and implemented in April 2018, was associated with changes in National Health Service hospital admission rates for asthma in children, 22 months post-implementation of SDIL. We conducted interrupted time series analyses (2012-2020) to measure changes in monthly incidence rates of hospital admissions. Sub-analysis was by age-group (5-9,10-14,15-18 years) and neighbourhood deprivation quintiles. Changes were relative to counterfactual scenarios where the SDIL wasn’t announced, or implemented. Overall, incidence rates reduced by 20.9% (95%CI: 29.6-12.2). Reductions were similar across age-groups and deprivation quintiles. These findings give support to the idea that implementation of a UK tax intended to reduce childhood obesity may have contributed to a significant unexpected and additional public health benefit in the form of reduced hospital admissions for childhood asthma.

Suggested Citation

  • Nina T. Rogers & Steven Cummins & Catrin P. Jones & Oliver T. Mytton & Chrissy H. Roberts & Seif O. Shaheen & Syed Ahmar Shah & Aziz Sheikh & Martin White & Jean Adams, 2024. "The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy and childhood hospital admissions for asthma in England," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49120-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49120-4
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