Commercial determinations of health: towards new political and economic models that work to sustain, rather than damage, people, and the planet

Commercial Determinants of Health (CDoH) are made up of systems, practices, and pathways through which commercial actors drive health and equity. There is an increase in commercial activity within health care and it is paramount that future health professionals understand why organisations are incentivized to perform certain actions and how they contribute to negative population health outcomes. Key concepts in economics are equity, equality, and justice and essential in determining the allocation and effective and efficient use of scarce resources. There is an intersection with Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) which are the conditions in which people are born into, grow, work, live, and age, the systems put in place to deal with illness. The SDoH are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes (WHO) which include: income and social protection, education, unemployment, and job insecurity, working life conditions, food insecurity, housing, basic amenities and the environment, early childhood development, social inclusion and non-discrimination, structural conflict, and access to affordable health services of decent quality.

Commercial Determinants of Health (CDoH) are a key social determinant, and refer to the conditions, actions and omissions by commercial actors that affect health. Company choices in the production, price-setting and targeted marketing of products, such as breast-milk substitutes, ultra-processed foods, tobacco, sugar-sweetened beverages and alcohol lead to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, as well as hypertension and obesity.

This Ph.D. will explore models in which public interests are prioritized over private interests, and where commercial organisations work to enhance global health. A mixed methods approach incorporating health economic techniques will be adopted to identify and distinguish between organisations that contribute to negative health outcomes versus those that promote positive, healthy outcomes and explore the social, economic and environmental impact of CDoH on public health in Ireland.

Tenure – 4 year PhD

Mandatory Specification

Candidates for this project will require a background in public health, health systems, economics, psychology, social sciences, or other cognate discipline. All candidates should have a minimum of 2:1 honours degree (level 8) in the disciplinary area outlined or in a cognate discipline. Candidate should be highly motivated, enthusiastic individuals.

How do I apply?

To apply, please access the following link and complete the application form in full:

https://forms.office.com/e/BmSru7Tx5p

• Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individual feedback to applicants.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.
• At this stage only successful candidates will be contacted to submit CV, transcripts and other relevant documentation.
• For successful candidates, referees will also be contacted at this stage for a reference.

Applications must include: 

(i) a completed application form 

(ii) English language requirements – see https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/postgraduate/policies-and-guidelines/english-language-requirements.

Deadline: All applications must be made online by 31 May 2024, (12am, midnight)

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure the application form is completed in full and on time. Late and/or incomplete applications will not normally be assessed.

Further information on the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland can be found here: https://www.rcsi.com/

Expected shortlisting date – 10th June 2024

Expected interview dates – 21st, 24th and 25th June 2024

Projected start date of position – 16th September 2024

Supervisor Information

• Professor Mary Lynch
• Dr James Larkin
• Dr Caitriona Cahir