From December 2 to 6, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) will convene a virtual series titled Health Talks on Food Systems, centered around the theme “Food for Health.” This thought-provoking event seeks to address the growing burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by leveraging health systems as platforms for delivering healthier and sustainably produced food. These sessions promise to uncover transformative strategies that marry public health priorities with sustainable food systems, benefiting vulnerable populations worldwide.
The Vision Behind Health Talks
The overarching goal of the Health Talks series is to showcase how health systems can play a pivotal role in ensuring equitable access to nutritious diets. With economic disparities and dietary choices contributing significantly to NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, innovative solutions are needed to mitigate these challenges. WHO’s initiative aims to promote enabling environments that support healthier diets while addressing the regulatory, programmatic, and financial implications of embedding food delivery into healthcare.
This series builds upon WHO’s package of food systems actions, which encourages global adoption of practices that create healthier food environments and empower individuals to make better dietary choices.
What’s on the Agenda?
The event’s sessions will examine key topics, starting with the effectiveness of medically tailored meals, groceries, and produce prescription programs. These initiatives, already piloted in several countries, have demonstrated measurable improvements in managing chronic illnesses and reducing healthcare costs.
Other highlights include:
- Workforce Readiness: Exploring the training and capabilities of healthcare professionals to integrate food delivery programs within medical facilities.
- Healthy Food Procurement: Establishing criteria for sourcing nutritious, sustainable food for hospitals and clinics.
- Community and Civil Society Involvement: Amplifying the role of grassroots organizations in advocacy and program implementation.
- Social Protection and Affordability: Investigating how social safety nets and collaborations with private and philanthropic sectors can make healthier food more accessible.
The final webinar will synthesize these discussions, offering a cohesive framework for inter-sectoral action.
Engaging Global Experts
The series will feature over 30 international experts spanning healthcare, food systems, social protection, economics, and policymaking. These speakers will share evidence-based insights, best practices, and forward-thinking strategies from diverse contexts. With active participation from regulatory agencies, scientists, and civil society organizations, the talks promise to be a robust platform for collaboration.
Why It Matters
The integration of food systems within healthcare is not just a theoretical proposition; it is a necessity. Diet-related NCDs disproportionately affect economically disadvantaged communities, exacerbating health inequities. By embedding nutritious food delivery into health systems, countries can address this dual crisis, providing both immediate relief to patients and long-term benefits to public health.
Furthermore, the emphasis on sustainability aligns with global climate goals. Sourcing food sustainably for healthcare facilities can set an example for larger-scale change, showcasing the intersection between planetary and human health.
Be Part of the Change
As the WHO Health Talks unfold, they will offer actionable insights into creating a world where healthcare and nutrition work hand-in-hand. Policymakers, health professionals, and advocates are encouraged to join this critical dialogue, contributing to a future where every meal served supports both personal well-being and environmental sustainability.
The Health Talks on Food Systems is more than a conference it’s a call to action. Let’s reimagine food for health, together.
