Creating a Healthy Ecosystem: Developing Public Policies to Reduce Non-Communicable Diseases

NCPO – network partner Participate in discussions to develop public policies “Work together to create a physical and social environment to reduce non-communicable diseases”, inviting all sectors to participate in the creation of a social ecosystem to help reduce non-communicable diseases communicable diseases (NCDs), with the aim of using “fiscal measures” as part of the incentive. Keeping people healthy – preventing disease. Avoid risky health behaviors

In early May 2024, the National Health Commission Office (NHCO) held a meeting of the Public Policy Development Committee on Joining Forces to Create Physical and Social Environments to Reduce Noncommunicable Diseases 2/2024, attended by Dr. Sophon Mekthon was the president to jointly consider the draft policy proposals of the Health Assembly on specific issues regarding Joining forces to create a physical and social environment to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDS) and a plan to organize a forum to hear views on the draft proposal.

Dr. Sophon revealed that although we have made efforts to stop chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the past, it can be said that it has not yet been successful. Because the main roles and responsibilities remain in the public health sector. In fact, the way to solve this problem is It is necessary to take advantage of the role of other sectors. Come and participate seriously. With new measures This will help create an environment or “ecosystem” to reduce non-communicable diseases throughout the system.

“Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory diseases, etc. which result from risky behaviors such as improper food consumption, alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of physical exercise, etc. they are considered a serious threat to national development. Because it’s not just an obstacle to health. But it also creates huge economic losses due to illness and premature death of people,” said Dr Sophon.

Dr. Sophon said that the importance today is therefore the use of the public policy development process. To bring other sectors In addition to the public health sector, we come together to help create an ecosystem to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as the tax sector, using fiscal measures. The taxes come to help the sports sector, the agricultural sector, to take care of food security. or semester industrial sector as well as the local sector They also come to take care of and implement measures within the school, factory or local area for which they are responsible. The entire ecosystem will constitute a sustainable systematic development to reduce non-communicable diseases and increase the quality of life of Thais.

Chanchao Chaiyanukit, vice-chair of the Policy Development Committee, said that one of the innovations that could be used to support the creation of an ecosystem to reduce non-communicable diseases is “fiscal measures”, which may have been implemented in the past such as the sugar tax, the sodium tax, etc. But we can also develop a series of additional fiscal measures, such as reducing personal or corporate income tax or increasing welfare or social security. Motivate disease prevention at the individual level

Mr Chanchao said this is one of the examples that started Resolution of the 15th National Health Assembly on establishing a platform to connect and integrate physical activity statistical data. and people who play sports (Calories Credit Challenge: CCC), which has developed a platform that collects The “calorie credit” can then be exchanged for various benefits. We can use this approach to develop the tax structure. A new ecosystem similar to ‘Carbon Credits’ that become valuable and encourage every sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“If we develop the ecosystem by restructuring the tax structure or increase welfare and social security Encourage Thais to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs), for example by adopting physical exercise behaviors healthcare It can be used to reduce taxes. It will be seen as an innovation that will help motivate and achieve disease prevention outcomes like never before,” Chanchao said.

Meanwhile, Dr Oratai Waliwong, from the International Bureau for Health Policy Development, IHPP, said a consultation (discussion) meeting will be held with network partners in various sectors. previously related Allows you to receive information on the situation and problems Lessons on various operations and suggestions This has led to the drafting of a policy framework (Policy Statement) which will act as a guideline for public policy on this issue. This will be used to find consensus together in the healthcare assembly process on specific issues.

For this policy direction framework It will aim to create a physical and social environment that favors the reduction of health risk factors through 5 main measures, consisting of 1. Organize and reduce access to products harmful to health such as alcohol, cigarettes , processed foods 2. Promote production. Increase access to healthy products and services. 3. Create a creative environment and healthcare space. 4. Create knowledge. Communicate accurate health information and limit advertising media 5. Create opportunities, activities, promote good health and develop human resource potential.

These are 5 systems and mechanisms to support operations, including 1. Development of policy tools and standards 2. Design, development of innovations, models and expansion of systematic results 3. Support for monitoring the physical and social environment 4. Development of a governance system Monitor and evaluate results 5. Development of decision-making, management and investment support systems (Governance)
Dr Suthep Phetmak, secretary general of the National Health Commission (NCPO), said that in addition to crafting the content of public policy, it is important. It is also a plan that will create a concrete movement. Finding leverage points that allow various measures to be implemented Can move forward with actual practice Part of this could be to find examples of measures taken in other countries. or prototype areas of related innovations that can be used as ideas for further reflection.

In the process following this The Policy Development Committee A draft proposal will be presented. Join the forum to hear opinions in June 2024 before using it to improve key documents again and draft resolutions. And in between there will be processes at the local level. Organizing consultation forums in pilot provinces where they work on creating ecosystems to reduce non-communicable diseases, then bringing them into health assemblies on specific issues. Around August 2024 to find consensus on said public policy together. Before submitting it to the NCPO for forwarding as a policy proposal to the Cabinet (Cabinet), the relevant agencies will be instructed to consider and carry out their tasks and related powers.

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