Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, cancer and diabetes are rising globally, are a significant and increasing cause of death and disability around the world, including in low- and middle-income countries. Governments are implementing policies to prevent risk factors, such as promoting physical activity through car-free days or taxing harmful products like tobacco, alcohol and sugar. These measures, however, need to be tailored to fit national contexts to be truly effective.

The Alliance, in collaboration with several WHO departments and supported by the Government of Norway, is leading a research programme to provide tailored health policy analysis on health taxes in low- and middle-income countries. Through this work, the Alliance aims to understand how political and economic factors shape their design, adoption and implementation.

Map of country case studies

(Mouse over the bubbles to find out more about each study.)