HEALTH
As a major player in economic development, business has the potential to make a substantial impact on global health. Improving healthcare, fighting disease, and increasing life expectancy are all essential for long-term business success and sustainable economic growth.
IBLF’s aim is to make the business case for a response to global health issues by demonstrating the impact health has to a company’s bottom line.
The Business Case
Companies that invest in a healthy workforce benefit from increased productivity and morale, as well as lower absenteeism and healthcare costs, all of which pose a serious threat to company competitiveness. Corporate engagement in health initiatives can also improve a company's reputation, as well as help find new business opportunities. In short: a healthy community means more productive workers, more prosperous customers, the potential for new markets and increased sources of income. There are many spheres in which business can contribute to enhancing efforts to improve health – within the workplace, marketplace, community, as well as the policy domain. Obviously, the contribution a particular company can make depends on the industry sector involved and the type of intervention. For example, pharmaceutical companies deliver essential medicines and healthcare; food companies help provide a safe and nutritious diet; heavy industry ensures the safety of its workers and so on. Although the business community has opportunities to engage in health at all levels, specific sectors/companies will usually be motivated by those health concerns most relevant to their key economic interests
IBLF's Approach
• Supporting and advising our corporate partners on health related issues.
• Developing tools & frameworks to enable and mobilise business to tackle key public health issues.
• Influencing policy and promoting strategic partnerships to facilitate multi-sector working on health issues.
• Developing and implementing pilot projects on the ground – in communities, countries, and regions.
IBLF has published a number of reports, which address different health challenges for business - from strengthening public health systems to improving sanitation and tackling obesity. View IBLF's health-related publications
Snapshot of current sub-programmes:
1) Business Response to chronic disease and consumer health
The impact of lifestyle related chronic diseases is an increasing burden on both business and society – yet it is largely preventable through healthier diets and more physical activity. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), chronic diseases account for 59 percent of the 56.5 million deaths annually. Chronic disease levels are rising particularly fast in urban populations around the world and the social and economic costs are of major concern to business. After facilitating a business dialogue for the WHO on its Global strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, in 2004 IBLF set up The HEAL Global Partnership, which ran from 2004 to 2007 and is now part of the IBLF health programme. HEAL aims to promote and facilitate action by business as part of the solution to the massive increase in chronic lifestyle-related diseases around the world linked to overweight, obesity, poor diets and a lack of physical activity. The programme offers a positive, non-competitive platform for all sectors of industry to work with other non-business partners and to devise innovative solutions and implement action as part of a sustainable business response to the problem.
Chronic Diseases in Latin America
Urbanisation and economic development have changed lifestyles across Latin America, including Mexico - but not always for the better. As a result of evolving food habits and more sedentary lifestyles, Mexicans have become increasingly overweight - and diabetes, hyper tension and chronic diseases are now some of the country's main worries, and costs to the economy.
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)has recently launched the Partners Forum for Action on Chronic Disease, a major new platform to inspire, promote and support partnerships between businesses of all sectors, government and NGOs against chronic disease in the Americas. The Forum focuses on scaling and multiplying successful on-the-ground action as well as fomenting new opportunities. IBLF is a key advisor to the Forum and will be playing a significant role in building capacity for partnering, making the case for collective action on health, and brokering one or more of the working groups on specific topics.
In 2008, IBLF brought together over 70 leaders across different sectors to discuss the role that business, together with others, can play in responding to the massive increase in chronic lifestyle-related diseases in Mexico. Promoting Active Living in Mexico" was the second event that IBLF has held in Mexico as part of its health and well-being activities. The first took place in 2005 and was dedicated to Healthy Eating .
Consumer Health
IBLF continues to work with the Food and Beverage industry on the impact of changes in diet and lifestyles on public health. In 2006, IBLF developed a Framework: A Recipe for Success: how food companies can profit from consumer health, which includes a series of recommendations as to how companies should address consumer health and obesity issues, from corporate strategy and governance, to reformulating products and funding consumer and employee health programmes. Based on this framework, in April 2008, Insight Investment and JPMorgan published an in-depth analysis of ten of the world’s leading food companies’ policies and practices regarding obesity and related health concerns: The Proof of the Pudding. One of their findings was that there are variable approaches to marketing, and that there is a need for companies to improve their practices and policies, particularly with regard to children.
Responsible Marketing
IBLF identified the need to start a major piece of work on the implications of responsible marketing in a digital world (with particular reference to children and young people). As result, IBLF has developed a very successful Responsible Marketing Network in 2008,involving senior marketing practitioners from major multinational companies, CEOs of NGOs, leading academics and experts, as well as key government representatives. This network has attracted huge interest across the board. It provides a ‘trusted space' for stakeholders - a place where they can engage ideas, share good practice and develop solutions to the challenges they face. We have found that all sides – the private sector, civil society groups, academics and the government – have much to offer in terms of promoting good practice. And much more effective solutions are possible by working in partnership, rather than each sector trying to create stand-alone and inevitably more limited initiatives
2) Fighting Malnutrition: GAIN Business Award for Innovation in Nutrition
Malnutrition affects more than a third of the world’s population. Not only is it an urgent global health issue, it is also an impediment to productivity, economic growth and poverty reduction. Responsibility for addressing global health issues lies with governments, but the private sector – especially companies operating in developing countries - can be an important partner and play a constructive role in providing solutions. Business as a Partner in Overcoming Malnutrition: An Agenda for Action
IBLF promotes the potential for business-driven solutions to malnutrition through a strategic partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a leading NGO that aims to reduce malnutrition through the use of food fortification and other strategies aimed at improving the health and nutrition of populations at risk. In association with GAIN, IBLF has created the GAIN Business Award for Innovation in Nutrition to recognize and reward companies displaying outstanding innovation in the development of new products and services designed to combat malnutrition. In 2008, DSM received the Award for its innovative efforts in rice fortification. DSM, in cooperation with Bühler AG, developed a new technology that produces rice kernels that are indistinguishable from unfortified rice in looks and taste, and are still highly nutritious after washing and cooking. NutriRice® is already produced by a Chinese joint venture called Wuxi NutriRice Ltd.
NOTE: The 2010 Award will be launched on 25/26 May during GAIN's annual Business Alliance meeting in Dubai.
3) Business Engagement in the fight against malaria
Since January 2010, IBLF provides the Focal Point (FP) for the private sector constituency (PSC) of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership. The RBM Partnership was established in 1998 to provide a coordinated global approach to fighting malaria. IBLF’s role is to help coordinate private sector involvement in the RBM Partnership. Members of the PSC come from a variety of industries that are relevant to the goals of the RBM Partnership. These include companies that develop related medical products, drugs and commodities (such as diagnostic tools, LLIN’s, IRS), companies with expertise in implementing malaria programmes in affected countries (for example mining, energy and construction companies) as well as those companies that have a broad range of skills and experience pertinent to current issues in malaria such as advocacy, procurement and distribution (for example media/communications, logistics and consumer goods companies).
4) Health Related MDGs
IBLF and the GAVI Alliance have joined forces to promote business engagement in reaching the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This partnership - supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), PATH, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Applied Strategies - seeks to disseminate how business can share its core competencies as it relates to health enhancing processes and initiatives, and to promote dialogue between business people and key stakeholders, including senior government decision-makers, multilaterals and civil society on health issues and development.
GAVI/IBLF Event Report 2009
Business and the Millennium Development Goals: A Framework for Action
Business Call to Action
IBLF Russia: "Business for a Healthy Society"
In conjunction with IBLF's health programme, this project promotes increased awareness and good practices to combat bad health habits and injuries in Russia. The initiative has focused so far on health in the workplace. IBLF Russia organises regular meetings of the Business for a Healthy Society working group, which is comprised of Heads of Health and Safety of 40 companies and, with the help of the World Bank, has introduced a "Health Audit" methodology. A new initiative in 2008, led by Philips and Johnson & Johnson, focuses on the role business can play in helping the public at large lead healthier lives. Read more about IBLF Russia
Examples of IBLF's past work on health
IBLF has pioneered several of the business and health initiatives since the early 1990’s. IBLF has worked with UN agencies, and others, on various projects including: road safety and accident prevention; the business and HIV/AIDS initiative with UNAIDS and UNDP and the WHO partnerships for Health Promotion. IBLF has also responded to business concerns around water and sanitation, malaria, avian flue, partnership building, and health and IT initiatives.
IBLF has partnered with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 2001 on a programme to improve working conditions in footwear factories. The programme has been highly successful and is now being transferred to the garment industry. Read more
IBLF’s aim is to make the business case for a response to global health issues by demonstrating the impact health has to a company’s bottom line.
The Business Case
Companies that invest in a healthy workforce benefit from increased productivity and morale, as well as lower absenteeism and healthcare costs, all of which pose a serious threat to company competitiveness. Corporate engagement in health initiatives can also improve a company's reputation, as well as help find new business opportunities. In short: a healthy community means more productive workers, more prosperous customers, the potential for new markets and increased sources of income. There are many spheres in which business can contribute to enhancing efforts to improve health – within the workplace, marketplace, community, as well as the policy domain. Obviously, the contribution a particular company can make depends on the industry sector involved and the type of intervention. For example, pharmaceutical companies deliver essential medicines and healthcare; food companies help provide a safe and nutritious diet; heavy industry ensures the safety of its workers and so on. Although the business community has opportunities to engage in health at all levels, specific sectors/companies will usually be motivated by those health concerns most relevant to their key economic interests
IBLF's Approach
• Supporting and advising our corporate partners on health related issues.
• Developing tools & frameworks to enable and mobilise business to tackle key public health issues.
• Influencing policy and promoting strategic partnerships to facilitate multi-sector working on health issues.
• Developing and implementing pilot projects on the ground – in communities, countries, and regions.
IBLF has published a number of reports, which address different health challenges for business - from strengthening public health systems to improving sanitation and tackling obesity. View IBLF's health-related publications
Snapshot of current sub-programmes:
1) Business Response to chronic disease and consumer health
The impact of lifestyle related chronic diseases is an increasing burden on both business and society – yet it is largely preventable through healthier diets and more physical activity. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), chronic diseases account for 59 percent of the 56.5 million deaths annually. Chronic disease levels are rising particularly fast in urban populations around the world and the social and economic costs are of major concern to business. After facilitating a business dialogue for the WHO on its Global strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, in 2004 IBLF set up The HEAL Global Partnership, which ran from 2004 to 2007 and is now part of the IBLF health programme. HEAL aims to promote and facilitate action by business as part of the solution to the massive increase in chronic lifestyle-related diseases around the world linked to overweight, obesity, poor diets and a lack of physical activity. The programme offers a positive, non-competitive platform for all sectors of industry to work with other non-business partners and to devise innovative solutions and implement action as part of a sustainable business response to the problem.
Chronic Diseases in Latin America
Urbanisation and economic development have changed lifestyles across Latin America, including Mexico - but not always for the better. As a result of evolving food habits and more sedentary lifestyles, Mexicans have become increasingly overweight - and diabetes, hyper tension and chronic diseases are now some of the country's main worries, and costs to the economy.
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)has recently launched the Partners Forum for Action on Chronic Disease, a major new platform to inspire, promote and support partnerships between businesses of all sectors, government and NGOs against chronic disease in the Americas. The Forum focuses on scaling and multiplying successful on-the-ground action as well as fomenting new opportunities. IBLF is a key advisor to the Forum and will be playing a significant role in building capacity for partnering, making the case for collective action on health, and brokering one or more of the working groups on specific topics.
In 2008, IBLF brought together over 70 leaders across different sectors to discuss the role that business, together with others, can play in responding to the massive increase in chronic lifestyle-related diseases in Mexico. Promoting Active Living in Mexico" was the second event that IBLF has held in Mexico as part of its health and well-being activities. The first took place in 2005 and was dedicated to Healthy Eating .
Consumer Health
IBLF continues to work with the Food and Beverage industry on the impact of changes in diet and lifestyles on public health. In 2006, IBLF developed a Framework: A Recipe for Success: how food companies can profit from consumer health, which includes a series of recommendations as to how companies should address consumer health and obesity issues, from corporate strategy and governance, to reformulating products and funding consumer and employee health programmes. Based on this framework, in April 2008, Insight Investment and JPMorgan published an in-depth analysis of ten of the world’s leading food companies’ policies and practices regarding obesity and related health concerns: The Proof of the Pudding. One of their findings was that there are variable approaches to marketing, and that there is a need for companies to improve their practices and policies, particularly with regard to children.
Responsible Marketing
IBLF identified the need to start a major piece of work on the implications of responsible marketing in a digital world (with particular reference to children and young people). As result, IBLF has developed a very successful Responsible Marketing Network in 2008,involving senior marketing practitioners from major multinational companies, CEOs of NGOs, leading academics and experts, as well as key government representatives. This network has attracted huge interest across the board. It provides a ‘trusted space' for stakeholders - a place where they can engage ideas, share good practice and develop solutions to the challenges they face. We have found that all sides – the private sector, civil society groups, academics and the government – have much to offer in terms of promoting good practice. And much more effective solutions are possible by working in partnership, rather than each sector trying to create stand-alone and inevitably more limited initiatives
2) Fighting Malnutrition: GAIN Business Award for Innovation in Nutrition
Malnutrition affects more than a third of the world’s population. Not only is it an urgent global health issue, it is also an impediment to productivity, economic growth and poverty reduction. Responsibility for addressing global health issues lies with governments, but the private sector – especially companies operating in developing countries - can be an important partner and play a constructive role in providing solutions. Business as a Partner in Overcoming Malnutrition: An Agenda for Action
IBLF promotes the potential for business-driven solutions to malnutrition through a strategic partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), a leading NGO that aims to reduce malnutrition through the use of food fortification and other strategies aimed at improving the health and nutrition of populations at risk. In association with GAIN, IBLF has created the GAIN Business Award for Innovation in Nutrition to recognize and reward companies displaying outstanding innovation in the development of new products and services designed to combat malnutrition. In 2008, DSM received the Award for its innovative efforts in rice fortification. DSM, in cooperation with Bühler AG, developed a new technology that produces rice kernels that are indistinguishable from unfortified rice in looks and taste, and are still highly nutritious after washing and cooking. NutriRice® is already produced by a Chinese joint venture called Wuxi NutriRice Ltd.
NOTE: The 2010 Award will be launched on 25/26 May during GAIN's annual Business Alliance meeting in Dubai.
3) Business Engagement in the fight against malaria
Since January 2010, IBLF provides the Focal Point (FP) for the private sector constituency (PSC) of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership. The RBM Partnership was established in 1998 to provide a coordinated global approach to fighting malaria. IBLF’s role is to help coordinate private sector involvement in the RBM Partnership. Members of the PSC come from a variety of industries that are relevant to the goals of the RBM Partnership. These include companies that develop related medical products, drugs and commodities (such as diagnostic tools, LLIN’s, IRS), companies with expertise in implementing malaria programmes in affected countries (for example mining, energy and construction companies) as well as those companies that have a broad range of skills and experience pertinent to current issues in malaria such as advocacy, procurement and distribution (for example media/communications, logistics and consumer goods companies). 4) Health Related MDGs
IBLF and the GAVI Alliance have joined forces to promote business engagement in reaching the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This partnership - supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), PATH, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Applied Strategies - seeks to disseminate how business can share its core competencies as it relates to health enhancing processes and initiatives, and to promote dialogue between business people and key stakeholders, including senior government decision-makers, multilaterals and civil society on health issues and development.
GAVI/IBLF Event Report 2009
Business and the Millennium Development Goals: A Framework for Action
Business Call to Action
IBLF Russia: "Business for a Healthy Society"
In conjunction with IBLF's health programme, this project promotes increased awareness and good practices to combat bad health habits and injuries in Russia. The initiative has focused so far on health in the workplace. IBLF Russia organises regular meetings of the Business for a Healthy Society working group, which is comprised of Heads of Health and Safety of 40 companies and, with the help of the World Bank, has introduced a "Health Audit" methodology. A new initiative in 2008, led by Philips and Johnson & Johnson, focuses on the role business can play in helping the public at large lead healthier lives. Read more about IBLF Russia
Examples of IBLF's past work on health
IBLF has pioneered several of the business and health initiatives since the early 1990’s. IBLF has worked with UN agencies, and others, on various projects including: road safety and accident prevention; the business and HIV/AIDS initiative with UNAIDS and UNDP and the WHO partnerships for Health Promotion. IBLF has also responded to business concerns around water and sanitation, malaria, avian flue, partnership building, and health and IT initiatives.
IBLF has partnered with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 2001 on a programme to improve working conditions in footwear factories. The programme has been highly successful and is now being transferred to the garment industry. Read more
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