10.11.2026
Policies and practices to address the Commercial Determinants of Health: From EU to Local Action
- 13:30 CET - 18:00 CET
- EPH Pre-Conference
- Bilbao, Spain
How can policies at European, national and local levels help address the commercial determinants of health? Join JA PreventNCD and the EUPHA Urban Public Health Section, with the collaboration of WHO, for a pre-conference exploring how policy and practice can create healthier environments and reduce health inequalities.
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About the event
Commercial determinants of health (CDoH) include the ways in which commercial activities, products and practices shape our health and the environments in which we live. From urban planning and transport to food environments, tobacco and alcohol, commercial influences can affect people's opportunities to live healthier lives.
This pre-conference will bring together policymakers, researchers and public health professionals to examine how local experience can inform national and EU policies, and how wider policy frameworks can support effective local action. Discussions will draw on practical examples of addressing commercial influences, overcoming barriers to implementation and reducing health inequalities.
The programme explores three connected areas:
- Healthy urban environments: commercial influences on transport, urban planning and public space.
- Food environments: policies and local action addressing marketing, access to healthy food and other commercial influences.
- Tobacco and alcohol: measures to protect communities and address industry influence at municipal and other levels.
Programme
The programme below follows the circulated pre-conference programme. Details may be updated by the organisers.
13:30–13:50
Welcome and introduction to JA PreventNCD
- Knut-Inge Klepp, Scientific Coordinator, JA PreventNCD
- Catherine Pérez, Vice-President, EUPHA Urban Public Health Section
- Freyr Gudlaugsson, Coordinator, JA PreventNCD Commercial Determinants of Health Group
- Rosana Peiró Pérez, Leader of JA PreventNCD's work on Healthy Living Environments / DGSP-Valencia Region
13:50–14:10
Political and national aspects of addressing commercial determinants of health
Pedro Gullón Tosio, Director-General of Public Health and Health Equity, Spanish Ministry of Health
14:10–15:10
Commercial determinants of healthy urban environments and action for change
Chair: Nina Iszatt, Norwegian Institute of Public Health / JA PreventNCD
- Jennifer Mindell (University College London): The auto-oil industries as commercial determinants of health
- Catherine Pérez (Public Health Agency of Barcelona / EUPHA - Urban Group): The green corridor in Barcelona: political aspects and commercial barriers
- Martina Serra (Healthy Cities Network, France): Car-free areas around schools in France: creating healthier urban environments through a One Health approach
15:10–16:10
How CDoH shape food environments: policy responses for NCD prevention
Chair: Katarzyna Brukało, Medical University of Silesia / Co-leader of JA PreventNCD's work on Healthy Living Environments
- Maria João Gregório (Director of the Portuguese National Program for the Promotion of Healthy Eating, Portugal / JA PreventNCD): National and EU policy responses
- Julia Díez (Universidad de Alcalá, Spain / EUPHA - Urban Group): Urban and local food environments: measurement and intervention opportunities
- Vicky Hobart (GLA Group Director of Public Health & Deputy Statutory Health Adviser, England): Marketing restrictions on junk food on London transport: barriers, challenges and impact on health
- Angela Giusti (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Italy / JA PreventNCD): Early-life food environments
16:10–16:30 · Break
16:30–17:30
CDoH: Impact of tobacco and alcohol companies shaping municipalities
Chair: Patrick Sandström, Finnish Lung Health Association / JA PreventNCD
- Katri Sääksjärvi (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare / Leader of JA PreventNCD's work on Health in all Policies): Who can act on Health in All Policies? Strengthening policymakers' capacity and implementation
- Jamie Pearce (Professor of Health Geography, University of Edinburgh): Developing local approaches to addressing the commercial determinants of health
- Hanna Ollila (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare / JA PreventNCD): Funding local campaigns and preventing tobacco industry influence through implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive in Finland
- Rafn Jonsson (Directorate of Health, Iceland / JA PreventNCD): Alcohol availability and public goods: gaps and opportunities
17:30–18:00
Discussion
Practical information
- Date: Tuesday 10 November 2026.
- Time: 13:30–18:00 CET, according to the circulated programme.
- Venue: Euskalduna Conference Centre, Bilbao, Spain. Room details will be provided by the conference organisers.
- Participation: In person.
- Organisers: JA PreventNCD and the EUPHA Urban Public Health Section, with the collaboration of WHO.
Registration
Registration for pre-conferences remains open. Although registration for the main European Public Health Conference is closed, it is still possible to register for a pre-conference without attending the main conference.
Participation is in person only and registration is required. For registration details and instructions, please visit the official EPH Conference website.
JA PreventNCD is also contributing to the pre-conference on Operationalising the Safe Hearts Plan through European Joint Actions. Explore our wider participation at the European Public Health Conference 2026.
Download the programme
Download the pre-conference programme for the full session agenda, speakers and presentations.