(February 4th, 2017, New York, USA) – On World Cancer Day, Vital Strategies urges governments to implement proven, cost -effective health policies to support cancer prevention. At least one -third of all cancer cases are preventable: tobacco alone causes 20 percent of cancer deaths. Other common risk factors for preventable cancers are unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption, household and ambient air pollution, occupational exposures, high body mass index and low physical activity – each of which can be reduced through strong policy interventions.
José Luis Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vital Strategies, said:
“While it’s critically important to raise population-level knowledge of behaviors that can increase the risk of cancer, we also need to change the social context to make the healthy option the default option. We aim to counter decades of marketing by the companies who profit from producing and selling unhealthy products. We encourage governments to implement policies like imposing high taxes and other market-based policies to make unhealthy products more expensive, particularly to children, restrict marketing to children to encourage life-long healthy habits, and force food labelling to be truthful so people can make informed, healthier choices.
“We also need to change the environmental context of people’s lives to reduce involuntary exposures to cancer-causing pollutants, not only through tobacco control and the implementation of 100 percent smokefree policies, but by expanding access to clean household fuels, advancing aggressive clean air policies and worker protections, and by expanding access to public and active transportation options that incorporate physical activity into daily life.
“Eradicating cancer is not simple or easy, but progress only comes from continuing to advocate for change. Real individual, social and economic benefit could be gained by reducing the 30 percent of preventable cancer cases. Let’s start today by committing to implement policies that we know can help achieve that goal. Vital Strategies stands ready to support governments and advocates in this important work.”
In recent years, tremendous progress has been made and countries have created models for other governments to follow. Vital Strategies is proud to have been engaged in a number of these initiatives.
For example, in Mexico Vital Strategies provided assistance in the development and delivery of communication campaigns to build support for the tax on sugary drinks. This tax has been highly successful in reducing consumption. In Beijng and other cities in China that are now smokefee, Vital Strategies has supported campaigns to promote compliance with the new laws, helping to protect 60 million people. In Indonesia, we have supported the #suaratanparokok campaign to give tobacco victims a voice to speak about their real experiences of tobacco’s harms.
Exposure to smoke from home solid fuel cook stoves and heaters, and rising urban air pollution also are responsible for a significant proportion of lung cancers. Vital Strategies advocates for clear air policies, modern fuel use, smart energy development and thoughtful urban planning which will reduce the global burden of cancer.
In addition, we have supported cancer organizations around the world in launching the Prevent20 campaign to encourage governments to increase tobacco taxes. Such evidence-based, proven public health ‘best buys’ will help to effect change. With concerted effort, across a range of issues and policy areas, it is possible to improve public health and reduce preventable cancer.
About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies is a global health organization that seeks to accelerate progress on the world’s most pressing health problems. Our team combines evidence-based strategies with innovation to help develop and implement sound public health policies, manage programs efficiently, strengthen data systems, conduct research, and design strategic communication campaigns for policy and behavior change. To find out more, please visit vstrategystage.wpengine.com or Twitter @VitalStrat.
For further information or to arrange an interview with a Vital Strategies public health expert, please contact Tracey Johnston, Vital Strategies, at +44.7889.081.170 or tjohnston@vitalstrategies.org