Commercial determinants of health (CDH) are increasingly recognized as powerful forces shaping population health, both positively and negatively, across diverse contexts. Markets influence what people consume, the environments they inhabit, and the information they trust, thereby affecting risks for noncommunicable diseases, access to essential services, and overall well-being. Subtheme 3 of this conference focuses on solutions to these challenges, moving beyond diagnosis to identify actionable pathways that can reduce harmful impacts while leveraging the positive potential of markets.

The plenary session will provide evidence and real-world case studies of how governance, financing, taxation, economic incentives, and the quest for profit can – if guided in the right direction – shape commercial actors and markets to reduce harm, promote health, and advance universal health coverage. Business models will be discussed that advance the dual objectives of generating profit and advancing equitable health, incorporating social and environmental responsibilities into core operations and expanding access to essential health services and technological innovations.