Review ArticleCurrent salt reduction policies across gradients of inequality-adjusted human development in the WHO European region: minding the gaps. Issue 8 (8th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodriguez-Fernandez, Rodrigo; Siopa, Margarida; Simpson, Sarah J; Amiya, Rachel M; Breda, Joao; Cappuccio, Francesco P
• Is Part Of: Public health nutrition. Volume 17:Issue 8(2014)
• Page Start: 1894
• Page End: 1904
• Publication Date: 2013-08-08
• Subjects: Sodium chloride, -- Food legislation, -- Nutrition policy, -- Health promotion, -- Social justice, -- Europe; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1017/S136898001300195X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-9800

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To assess current salt † reduction policies in countries of the WHO European Region against the backdrop of varying levels of human development adjusted for income, education and health (longevity) inequalities. Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study, with data gathered through systematic review of relevant databases and supplementary information provided by WHO Nutrition Counterparts. Setting: Member States of the WHO European Region. Subjects: Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index scores were analysed against assessed levels of development and implementation of national nutrition policies and initiatives targeting population-level salt reduction. Results: Within the WHO European Region, Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index values among countries with no existing salt reduction initiatives (mean 0·643 (se 0·022)) were significantly lower than among those with either partially implemented/planned salt initiatives (mean 0·766 (se 0·017), P < 0·001) or fully implemented salt initiatives (mean 0·780 (se 0·021), P < 0·001). Conclusions: Where salt reduction strategies are implemented as an integral part of national policy, outcomes have been promising. However, low- and middle-income countries may face severe resource constraints that keep them from emulating more comprehensive strategies pursued in high-income countries. Care must be taken to ensure that gaps are not inadvertently widened by monitoring differential policy impacts of salt policies, particularly regarding trade flows.