In an era when non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, and cancers dominate the global health landscape, the roles of various stakeholders, including the private sector, have come under increasing scrutiny. A recent influential study by Collins, Akselrod, Berlina, and colleagues, published in Global Health Research and Policy, sheds new light on how private sector engagement strategies can shape NCD prevention and control efforts worldwide. Focusing on ten prominent international organizations, this research articulates how businesses and private enterprises are not just economic entities but critical partners in the global fight against NCDs.
The study highlights that the private sector’s influence is profound in both the genesis and mitigation of NCD risk factors. This paradox arises because many chronic diseases are linked to lifestyle factors that are often shaped by commercial interests — food and beverage industries, tobacco companies, and pharmaceutical giants among them. Understanding this duality underscored by Collins et al. is crucial in evolving effective private sector engagement strategies that advance public health without compromising corporate benefits.
By methodically analyzing strategies embraced by leading institutions such as the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, and several non-governmental actors, the authors bring forward a nuanced picture of cooperation, competition, and at times conflicted interests. Their qualitative and quantitative review encapsulates policy frameworks, partnership models, and accountability mechanisms that these organizations deploy to harness the private sector’s capabilities while navigating ethical and operational challenges.
A pivotal aspect of the study is its examination of public-private partnerships (PPPs), which have emerged as a cornerstone in the contemporary health governance architecture. The authors argue that PPPs, when structured with transparency and fortified by shared objectives, can leverage financial resources, innovative technologies, and outreach networks inaccessible to public entities alone. Nevertheless, the report cautions against an overly optimistic view; not all partnerships yield equitable or health-optimized results, with some potentially exacerbating health inequities.
The research also delves into regulatory dynamics that underpin private sector contributions. For example, regulatory frameworks relating to product labeling, marketing restrictions—especially targeting children—and taxation have proven effective in reducing harmful consumption patterns linked to NCDs. Collins et al. suggest that international organizations play a critical role in harmonizing such regulations across borders, fostering an enabling environment where private interests align with public health priorities.
Data and surveillance mechanisms form another critical component discussed in the study. The authors found that several international organizations emphasize enhancing data-sharing platforms that integrate private sector insights with epidemiological research. This bridging fosters timely and evidence-based decision-making to tackle NCD trends and offers avenues for predictive analytics that can pre-empt disease outbreaks or emerging risk behaviors.
Against this backdrop, technological innovation emanating from the private sector is a beacon of hope for NCD prevention. Mobile health technologies, wearable devices, and AI-driven diagnostic tools championed by tech companies have immense potential to facilitate early detection, personalized treatment plans, and improved patient adherence to therapies. The study highlights successful instances where cross-sector collaborations accelerated the development and deployment of these cutting-edge tools in resource-constrained settings.
The report also dedicates significant discussion to financing models that incentivize private sector engagement. Social impact investments, blended finance, and corporate social responsibility initiatives are identified as emerging pathways that reconcile profit motives with public health goals. Nevertheless, the sustainability and scalability of such financial models require ongoing scrutiny and robust governance to ensure long-term benefits.
An underexplored domain brought to light by Collins and colleagues is the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the private sector ecosystem. Unlike multinational corporations, SMEs often operate at a local community level and can significantly influence health behaviors through local sourcing, employee wellness programs, and local policy advocacy. The report encourages international organizations to expand their engagement frameworks to incorporate these smaller yet impactful players.
The ethical dimensions of private sector engagement are intricately dissected. Conflicts of interest, transparency lapses, and accountability deficits remain persistent risks that could undermine the legitimacy and effectiveness of collaborative strategies. To counter this, the authors propose enhanced governance protocols, public watchdog mechanisms, and clear conflict resolution pathways as essential elements of future policy design.
Furthermore, the study recognizes the diversity inherent within the private sector, which encompasses industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to food production, each with different stakes and influences on NCD trajectories. Tailored engagement approaches that consider these sector-specific nuances are urged to replace the “one-size-fits-all” models that have characterized some previous attempts.
In synthesizing its findings, the research underscores the importance of capacity building for both private entities and international organizations to foster mutual understanding and alignment of objectives. Training programs, joint research initiatives, and collaborative policy dialogues are suggested as practical measures to bridge gaps and cultivate a shared vision of health-promoting productivity.
Notably, the study also advocates for incorporating a human rights perspective in private sector engagement strategies. Recognizing health as a fundamental right obligates all actors, including corporate entities, to uphold equity, non-discrimination, and access to essential services, thereby reinforcing the societal contract underpinning NCD prevention efforts.
The dynamics of globalization and the increasing interconnectedness of health markets emphasize the imperative for global governance mechanisms that oversee private sector participation. Collins et al. recommend strengthening international health regulations and encouraging countries to adopt and adapt these frameworks within their national contexts to create coherent and effective policy ecosystems.
Ultimately, this comprehensive investigation by Collins, Akselrod, Berlina, and their team serves as a clarion call to rethink how the private sector is engaged in NCD prevention and control. It proposes a delicate balance between leveraging economic innovation and safeguarding public health interests, underscored by transparency, equity, and accountability. For policymakers, public health practitioners, and the private sector alike, these insights provide a blueprint for future collaborations destined to shape the trajectory of global NCD outcomes.
With the escalating burden of NCDs posing an unprecedented challenge to health systems worldwide, unlocking the full potential of private sector engagement without compromising ethical standards and public trust will be paramount. The findings and recommendations presented by this study are poised to influence policy discourses, drive innovative partnerships, and ultimately contribute to healthier societies across the globe.
Subject of Research: Strategies for engaging the private sector in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with emphasis on ten international organizations.
Article Title: Private sector engagement strategies with implications for NCD prevention and control: focus on ten international organisations.
Article References:
Collins, T.E., Akselrod, S., Berlina, D. et al. Private sector engagement strategies with implications for NCD prevention and control: focus on ten international organisations. Glob Health Res Policy 10, 47 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-025-00448-4
Image Credits: AI Generated
