International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

A Call for Broadening the Analysis of Corporate Political Activities: Insights From Social Media as a Commercial Determinant of Health; Comment on “Corporate Political Activity: Taxonomies and Model of Corporate Influence on Public Policy”

Document Type : Commentary

Author
Teresa Leão 1, 2
1 EPIUnit ITR, Institute of Public Health of the University Porto, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
2 Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses, e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
10.34172/ijhpm.9155
Abstract
Corporate political activities of unhealthy commodity industries have been identified and categorised in terms of framing and action strategies. This commentary discusses the relevance of systematically and comprehensively applying these taxonomy models to other commercial determinants of health, with special attention to their joint activities and health implications. The social media industry is an especially relevant case to be analysed due to its direct and indirect health effects, namely those associated with digital marketing of unhealthy commodities, mis and disinformation, and social polarisation. Interferences in research, lobbying, and corporate social responsibility actions are examples of the strategies used by this industry to prevent and obstruct regulators’ efforts, limiting the control of the marketing of unhealthy products, the spread of mis/disinformation, and the promotion of violent speech and attitudes.
Keywords
Commercial Determinants Health
Unhealthy Commodity Industries
Social Media
Misinformation
Disinformation
Corporate Social Responsibility
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International Journal of Health Policy and Management
Volume 14, Issue 1
2025
Pages 1-4

  • Received Date 15 April 2025
  • Revised Date 19 August 2025
  • Accepted Date 25 August 2025
  • First Published Date 26 August 2025
  • Published Date 01 December 2025