MEPs Against Cancer and the Association of European Cancer Leagues are inviting you to the event ‘Protecting youth from commercial determinants of health’, hosted at the European Parliament on June 2 at 09:30 (hybrid event).
The commercial determinants of health (CDoH) refer to the private sector activities shape our health, directly or indirectly, for better or worse. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these commercial products and practices are responsible for 25% of all deaths in Europe. When addressing cancer, the role of these determinants is critical.
While approximately 40% of all cancer cases are preventable, the constant presence of risk factors – from tobacco and nicotine products to alcohol, ultra-processed foods, sunbeds and hazardous chemicals like PFAS – remains a major barrier. In many cases, exposure occurs even unnoticed since these products have been normalized in daily life, or because there is a significant lack of public awareness regarding their risks.
Although commercial influences affect the entire population, the marketing of unhealthy commodities specifically targets young people and worsens existing economic, social, and racial inequalities across the European Union. We are already seeing the consequences in skyrocketing rates of obesity and the rising prevalence of cancers traditionally seen only in adults, such as colorectal cancer, among younger generations. However, the harmful commodities responsible for these conditions are still widely promoted. This is the case for music festivals where e-cigarettes are distributed freely among the young attendees, or for ultra-processed foods offering toys as a gift. Without urgent policy action, these commercial practices will remain.
Tackling the commercial drivers is an essential milestone not only for public health but for social justice and equity. This event will explore how youth remain unprotected from these influences, the different unhealthy commodities and the legislative responses needed to ensure that public health, not corporate wealth, remains the main priority of Europe.
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