‘Non-communicable disease policy implementation from 2014 to 2021: a repeated cross-sectional analysis of global policy data for 194 countries’. Lancet Global Health 11(4): e525-e533 · 2023 (with L.N. Allen, H. Holmer, and P. Barlow). [Full text] [Annex]
Abstract: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the world’s leading cause of death and disability. Global implementation of WHO-recommended NCD policies has been increasing with time, but in 2019 fewer than half of these policies had been implemented globally. In 2022, WHO released updated data on NCD policy implementation, on the basis of surveys conducted in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to examine whether the trajectory of global policy implementation changed during this period.
‘Assessing the association between Corporate Financial Influence and implementation of policies to tackle commercial determinants of non-communicable diseases: A cross-sectional analysis of 172 countries’. Social Science & Medicine 297(114825) · 2022 (with L.N. Allen and H. Holmer).* [Full text] [Annex]
Abstract: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of global death and disability. Tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy foods are major contributing risk factors. WHO Member States have unanimously endorsed a set of 12 policies designed to constrain the sale of these commodities, however, there are myriad case studies of commercial entities seeking to undermine effective legislation in order to protect their profits. We set out to quantify the association between corporate financial influence and implementation of commercial policies.
‘Trust made the difference for democracies in COVID-19’. The Lancet 400(10353): 657 · 2022 (with T. Bollyky, O. Angelino, and J.L. Dieleman). [Full text]
Abstract: Richard Horton1 argues that COVID-19-related struggles of leading democracies, especially the USA, necessitate reassessing the claims made regarding healthful effects of that form of government, including the ones we put forward in 2019.2 Horton’s Offline elicited several responses, and we write to contribute to that ongoing debate.
‘Pandemic preparedness and COVID-19: an exploratory analysis of infection and fatality rates, and contextual factors associated with preparedness in 177 countries, from Jan 1, 2020, to Sept 30, 2021’. The Lancet 399(10334): 1489-1512 · 2022 (lead authors T. Bollyky, E.N. Hulland, and J. L. Dieleman). [Full text] [Annex]
Abstract: National rates of COVID-19 infection and fatality have varied dramatically since the onset of the pandemic. Understanding the conditions associated with this cross-country variation is essential to guiding investment in more effective preparedness and response for future pandemics.
‘Implementation of non-communicable disease policies from 2015 to 2020: a geopolitical analysis of 194 countries’. Lancet Global Health 9(11): e1528-e1538 · 2021 (with L.N. Allen and H. Holmer). [Full text] [Annex]
Abstract: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the world’s leading cause of death and disability. Global implementation of WHO-recommended NCD policies has been increasing with time, but in 2019 fewer than half of these policies had been implemented globally. In 2022, WHO released updated data on NCD policy implementation, on the basis of surveys conducted in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to examine whether the trajectory of global policy implementation changed during this period.
Prof. Simon Wigley 