Finalist
The Obesity Health Alliance
Summary of work
The UK is facing an obesity crisis with unprecedented levels of overweight and obese children and adults. Obesity increases the risk of a range of physical and mental health conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart and liver disease and cancer, placing a huge burden on society and the NHS.
In 2015 19 health organisations came together to work collectively in coalition to influence Government policy to tackle obesity. By the end of 2016 the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) had grown to over 35 diverse members working together to advocate for an agreed set of population level policy interventions. This involved the prioritisation of three key policies (the soft drinks industry levy, often called the ‘sugar tax’, a reformulation programme to remove sugar, fat and salt from food and greater restrictions on junk food marketing to children).
Despite the political turmoil of 2016, which lead to the publication of a watered-down childhood obesity strategy, the OHA was able to work together successfully to directly influence Government and keep the obesity policy debate high on the media and political agenda.
In just a year, the OHA has firmly established itself as a strong, credible alliance with a media profile and successfully developed relationships with a range of influential political stakeholders.
Judges’ comments
The Obesity Health Alliance’s solid campaign was targeted, impressive and robust. The team was clear in what they wanted to achieve and we were very impressed. This was a very strong submission for an extremely tough environment that showed persistence while still ticking a lot of boxes.
