Demystifying Commercial Influences on Health: Applying Systems Dynamics Methodologies to Policy Processes; Comment on “Using System Dynamics to Understand Transnational Corporate Power in Diet-Related Non-communicable Disease Prevention Policy-Making: A Case Study of South Africa”

Articles in Press

Document Type : Commentary

Authors

1 The Children’s Institute, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

2 International School Mohammed VI of Public Health, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health (UM6SS), Casablanca, Morocco

3 Mohammed VI Center for Research and Innovation, Rabat, Morocco

4 Global Health Policy Unit, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

Abstract

In their study on which we provide commentary, the authors applied a qualitative systems dynamics methodology to explore how transnational corporate power has led to policy inertia in the prevention of diet-related non-communicable disease in South Africa. This commentary explores the potential of systems thinking and causal loop diagrams to deepen understandings of – and responses to -the commercial determinants of health. We reflect on the application of causal loop diagrams in policy processes and provide reflections that proposed strategies for change will need to take into account recent shifts in global discourse, funding streams and the balance of global power.

Keywords

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 07 July 2025

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History

  • Received Date: 22 April 2025
  • Revised Date: 11 June 2025
  • Accepted Date: 01 July 2025
  • First Published Date: 07 July 2025

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