WHO chief calls for a balanced government policy approach

A balance must be struck between trade interests and the well-being of the people if health is to be positively influenced by government policy, according to World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan.

For instance, she said that while all foreign direct investment might look attractive, if such investment comes from a tobacco company or fast-food chain it could be detrimental to people's health in the long run.

Under such circumstances, "the government should look at all the evidence and make a political choice with the right policies", she said, on the sidelines of the ongoing Ninth Global Conference on Health Promotion, which concludes on Thursday.