Strengthening Trade and Health Governance Capacities to Address Non-Communicable Diseases in Asia: Challenges and Ways Forward

Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies, Volume 2, Issue 2, pages 310-323, May 2015

Crawford School Research Paper

14 Pages Posted: 1 May 2016

See all articles by Phillip Baker

Phillip Baker

School of Regulation & Global Governance (RegNet)

Adrian Kay

Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU

Helen Walls

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Date Written: May 28, 2015

Abstract

Trade liberalisation is a driver of the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Asia through its role in facilitating the growth of the region's tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed foods industries while simultaneously restricting the capacities of governments to enact public health regulations. This highlights the need for greater coherence between health and trade policy in the region. Yet there has been little analysis of these topics with regard to Asia. What are the barriers and opportunities for enhancing trade and health policy coherence and strengthening governance capacities? How can health, in particular the prevention of non-communicable diseases through curbing risk commodity markets, be positioned more centrally in trade policy? We draw upon a diversity of literature to outline seven key challenges to governing the health-trade nexus as it relates to risk commodities and non-communicable diseases in Asia, and offer suggestions for strengthening capacities.

Keywords: non-communicable diseases, trade liberalisation, Asia, regulation, governance

Suggested Citation

Baker, Phillip and Kay, Adrian and Walls, Helen, Strengthening Trade and Health Governance Capacities to Address Non-Communicable Diseases in Asia: Challenges and Ways Forward (May 28, 2015). Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies, Volume 2, Issue 2, pages 310-323, May 2015, Crawford School Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2772376

Phillip Baker (Contact Author)

School of Regulation & Global Governance (RegNet) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200
Australia

Adrian Kay

Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU ( email )

7 Liversidge Street
Lennox Crossing
Canberra, ACT 0200
Australia

Helen Walls

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine ( email )

Keppel Street
London, WC1E 7HT
United Kingdom

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