Period: 2018-2020

Researchers: Vilma Irazola, Natalia Elorriaga, Daniela Moyano, Ana Cavallo.

This project is carried out collaboratively with the Inter-American Heart Foundation (FIC-Argentina) and the Center for State and Society Studies (CEDES).

Objective

The project seeks to generate evidence on the prices, availability and accessibility of food in Argentina, as well as the relevance of considering these factors to improve public interventions that allow improving healthy habits in the population.

Summary

The study will include the definition of a “healthy food basket” for the Argentine population and the analysis of the prices and affordability of said healthy basket in comparison to the food products consumed in our population. In addition, this project will identify the consumption patterns of healthy versus unhealthy foods, the importance of prices according to the characteristics of households in said behavior patterns, the exploration and description of the regulatory framework and the viability and impact that potential increases in taxes could have on consumption. The project will also include an environmental study to explore the availability of healthy and unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages in communities of different socioeconomic levels of the City of Buenos Aires. Social practices will also be analyzed as well as the determinants of healthy food purchases and the choice of shopping locations.

Overall, the project aims to provide evidence on the complementarities of each alternative point of view under study, as well as the relevance of considering them as part of a comprehensive body of evidence to improve public interventions to improve healthy habits.

The project proposes to involve policy makers in every step of the implementation plan, facilitating interaction, refining research tools and targeted advocacy interventions. Furthermore, the proposal seeks to enhance the capabilities of each participating center, prioritizing internal debate and the integration of young researchers. These institutional results, together with other activities that promote capacity building in the public sphere, will contribute to investing in future local leaders in policy-oriented research on NCDs in Argentina.

Finance

IDRC.

Type of study

Collaborative study of mixed methods approach including data review, use of geographic information systems, observation at points of sale, qualitative approach to obtain information from key actors and prediction models.