Welcome to 'This Is The North' Podcast, your source of transformative conversations. An intentional challenge to the systems holding back the North of England. Hosted by Alison Dunn, an award-winning charity chief executive and former solicitor. This podcast is supported by Society Matters Community Interest Company and is dedicated to curating and sharing knowledge, powering the change we need for a more equal and inclusive society.

In this thought-provoking episode, Alison explores the complex ways big business influences our health with three distinguished experts:

• Professor Mark Petticrew from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Research fellow May van Schalkwyk from the University of Edinburgh
• Associate Professor Chris van Tulleken from University College London, and author of the number one Sunday Times bestseller, "Ultra Process People"

The conversation delves into the commercial determinants of health—how corporations' practices, products and influence shape public health through marketing, lobbying and misinformation campaigns. The experts examine how industries such as alcohol, food, gambling and tobacco prioritise profit over wellbeing, often targeting vulnerable populations while positioning themselves as part of the solution.

The discussion reveals how these harmful industries employ sophisticated tactics to influence policy, science and public perception. From funding educational materials in schools to creating "independent" organisations, these industries have systematically worked to shift responsibility onto individuals while protecting their business models that depend on harmful consumption patterns.

Episode Timestamps:

01:10 Introduction to Commercial Determinants of Health

03:05 Why the Public Should Care About Commercial Influences

05:20 Ultra-Processing

26:10 Conflicts of Interest

35:25 The Challenges

41:50 Policy Solutions and Regulatory Approaches

The panel notes the parallels between tactics used by different industries—from tobacco to food to gambling—showing how they've learned from each other to protect profits at the expense of public health.

The conversation concludes with powerful policy recommendations: ending conflicts of interest in regulatory bodies and research, implementing comprehensive marketing restrictions, pursuing legal action against harmful corporations, and developing policy frameworks that address multiple aspects of public health simultaneously.

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Host: Alison Dunn

Guests: Professor Mark Petticrew, Research fellow May van Schalkwyk, Associate Professor Chris van Tulleken

This podcast is produced by Purpose Made, empowering change through intentional leadership and shared knowledge.

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