We must remember, however, that, if a valuable commodity is taxed too heavily, those who enjoy or depend on it will react negatively. For example, the American Revolution was entirely the result of the excesses of taxation in British colonies.
It also is not fair to blame a single component or ingredient of a product for the negative effect it may cause on a person's health. Sugar is used as an ingredient in far more foods than just soda, and it exists naturally in many "healthy" foods such as fruit. If it were a true "sugar" tax, it would reflect this and tax every food product with sugar in it regardless of the feelings of the manufacturers. As it stands, current "sugar" taxes exist only as vendettas against the soft drink industry, and that is a discriminatory usage of taxation.
“It’s an over simplification to think that taxation alone is a panacea for health behavior change. Like most successful interventions, it must be part of a broader strategy that includes education, community support, and access to health care.” Community!
In my narrow understanding of public policy, taxation, and health outcomes that’s the money shot of your piece. The word taxation is an anathema to most Americans and getting more so as the loudest voices rail against ‘No new taxes.” Kinda Sisyphus like exercise taxing things that harm us. I'm going raise my A1C in three years if I keep eating a sleeve of Oreo's twice a week. Shrug But dang .50 cents more for my Oreo's will enrage me to no end.
The reference to cigarette taxes was excellent and now we have vaping. With younger adults and teens being a key demographic for marketing. Policy cannot win easily against smart fully funded profit driven corporations. Never underestimate greed. Another note is how vaccine rates for older Americans is down. Close to 7m fewer adults have gotten their flu shot this season. Covid-19 vaccination is abysmal with only 17% of adults and 8% of children. Don’t even ask about RSV and seniors. (Face palm). Though when I saw my PCP for my annual and he asked if I got my RSV I said yes. He gave me a huge attaboy and a pat on my head. I will get it again next year. BMT in action in the community. Another consideration are the maternal mortality rates. Non-hispanic Black women are 2.6 time more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. And that does not improve with socioeconomic status for education level. Data from ’07 to ’16 show women with a college degree or higher, the pregnancy-related mortality ration was 5x higher for Black mothers compared with white mothers. How long will it take for policy changes in medical school and resident training take to save a Black woman giving birth?
I’m so not being a maudlin Mark here or au contraire mon frère. Policy and taxation have long horizons and longer outcomes. Correctly so, if we don’t do those things we are killing our future selves and our children. All healthcare is community as you said. Well a lot of it is. We trust those we trust and respect. The clashing and gnashing of voices opposing or agreeing are making us deaf. I’m not deaf to my neighbor who is sharing healthy recipes or telling me their A1C has fallen. That just amps up my competitive self.
IMHO communities can deliver outcomes a bit quicker. Black owned barber shops where BP measuring is done or PSA testing. For Black maternal health Black doulas or mid wives make a difference. Communities finding land to grow fresh produce help improve food deserts. Community centers for seniors having round tables about vaccinations. (Not to mention suicide prevention which is raising in older males). All of these community based ideas are part of the long term strategy. They are tactical executions as we work toward long term outcomes through policy and taxation.
I guess this is my full throated support for “The impact of community involvement and local activism in directing public policy shouldn't be underestimated.” Maybe less directing and more screw em we'll DIY.
Boots on the ground makes a beautiful sound for those who are near by.
We must remember, however, that, if a valuable commodity is taxed too heavily, those who enjoy or depend on it will react negatively. For example, the American Revolution was entirely the result of the excesses of taxation in British colonies.
It also is not fair to blame a single component or ingredient of a product for the negative effect it may cause on a person's health. Sugar is used as an ingredient in far more foods than just soda, and it exists naturally in many "healthy" foods such as fruit. If it were a true "sugar" tax, it would reflect this and tax every food product with sugar in it regardless of the feelings of the manufacturers. As it stands, current "sugar" taxes exist only as vendettas against the soft drink industry, and that is a discriminatory usage of taxation.
“It’s an over simplification to think that taxation alone is a panacea for health behavior change. Like most successful interventions, it must be part of a broader strategy that includes education, community support, and access to health care.” Community!
In my narrow understanding of public policy, taxation, and health outcomes that’s the money shot of your piece. The word taxation is an anathema to most Americans and getting more so as the loudest voices rail against ‘No new taxes.” Kinda Sisyphus like exercise taxing things that harm us. I'm going raise my A1C in three years if I keep eating a sleeve of Oreo's twice a week. Shrug But dang .50 cents more for my Oreo's will enrage me to no end.
The reference to cigarette taxes was excellent and now we have vaping. With younger adults and teens being a key demographic for marketing. Policy cannot win easily against smart fully funded profit driven corporations. Never underestimate greed. Another note is how vaccine rates for older Americans is down. Close to 7m fewer adults have gotten their flu shot this season. Covid-19 vaccination is abysmal with only 17% of adults and 8% of children. Don’t even ask about RSV and seniors. (Face palm). Though when I saw my PCP for my annual and he asked if I got my RSV I said yes. He gave me a huge attaboy and a pat on my head. I will get it again next year. BMT in action in the community. Another consideration are the maternal mortality rates. Non-hispanic Black women are 2.6 time more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. And that does not improve with socioeconomic status for education level. Data from ’07 to ’16 show women with a college degree or higher, the pregnancy-related mortality ration was 5x higher for Black mothers compared with white mothers. How long will it take for policy changes in medical school and resident training take to save a Black woman giving birth?
I’m so not being a maudlin Mark here or au contraire mon frère. Policy and taxation have long horizons and longer outcomes. Correctly so, if we don’t do those things we are killing our future selves and our children. All healthcare is community as you said. Well a lot of it is. We trust those we trust and respect. The clashing and gnashing of voices opposing or agreeing are making us deaf. I’m not deaf to my neighbor who is sharing healthy recipes or telling me their A1C has fallen. That just amps up my competitive self.
IMHO communities can deliver outcomes a bit quicker. Black owned barber shops where BP measuring is done or PSA testing. For Black maternal health Black doulas or mid wives make a difference. Communities finding land to grow fresh produce help improve food deserts. Community centers for seniors having round tables about vaccinations. (Not to mention suicide prevention which is raising in older males). All of these community based ideas are part of the long term strategy. They are tactical executions as we work toward long term outcomes through policy and taxation.
I guess this is my full throated support for “The impact of community involvement and local activism in directing public policy shouldn't be underestimated.” Maybe less directing and more screw em we'll DIY.
Boots on the ground makes a beautiful sound for those who are near by.