Introduction

The Focus
The Participants
The Outcome
The Agenda
Presentations

Video: Global Survey by COLORS

Selected Readings
Biographies

General information about the conference

Communications is a core determinant of health. What we consume and how we live is influenced and determined by our attitudes, the information we possess, the sources of our knowledge, and the wider social, economic and political contexts within which we live.

Advertising and marketing are  capable of affecting us in both positive and negative ways. The globalization of markets and market-driven consumption patterns have created global appetites that are of increasingly importance for public health.  Whether it is tobacco, soft drinks and alcohol, or unhealthy foods and lifestyles,  marketing plays a critical role in influencing people's health. Of particular concern is marketing aimed at, and the global health patterns being observed among, young people. 

The Focus

WHO recognises a need  to better understand the public health impact of  advertising and marketing and to integrate the understanding of communication as a core determinant of health into its policy recommendations for governments.

WHO's Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) division is organizing a series of consultations this year to help develop this policy, starting with the meeting at Fabrica,   in Treviso, Italy. The focus of the consultations will be on the communication of key risk factors for ill-health including tobacco, alcohol and nutrition.

The Participants

Policy-makers including representatives from state and federal governments, will join with marketing and health professionals, advocacy, scientific research and consumer groups to analyse trends and influences in both developed and developing countries. (participants list)

The Outcome

·        To review what we know about marketing, particularly to youth;

·        To identify mechanisms that ensure “healthy marketing” practices become more widespread;

·        To create an international advisory panel, including key players from different sectors, that will monitor and report on marketing and public health.

The Agenda

(Agenda)

Presentations

As they were submitted from speakers, panelists and mediators.

Selected Readings

Slipping Under the Radar: Advertising and the Mind by David Walsh, Ph.D.,President,National Institute on Media and the Family Minneapolis, MN, USA

Biographies

As they were submitted from speakers, panelists and mediators.