Conflicts of interest: moving towards zero tolerance
November 20, 2024 by bmj.com
Conflicts of interest: moving towards zero tolerance
Chris van Tulleken, Nigel Rollins, and Rebecca Coombes highlight the influence of industries on public health. Industries manipulate academia and health systems, hindering efforts to address health crises like smoking and unhealthy diets. The World Health Organization identifies these industries as commercial determinants of health, impacting people's well-being. Conflicts of interest among professionals and institutions, influenced by companies in sectors like food, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, and tobacco, must be addressed. Transparency and measures to mitigate biases are crucial in protecting public health. Collaborative efforts from governments, health authorities, and educators are needed to prioritize public health over corporate interests.
12.90% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 7.2 million current smokers in United Kingdom 14.60% of men are current smokers but only 11.20% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
