From evidence to policy action
The CORE Project Kenya, under the NIHR Global Health Group on Oral Health Research, convened the Expert Panel discussion as part of Work Package 2 on Commercial Determinants of Oral Health. The activity moved beyond documenting industry influence to identifying practical, context-appropriate policy responses for Kenya.
The panel drew on earlier Work Package 2 evidence, including documentary analysis and qualitative interviews, and used a structured consensus process to refine and prioritise possible measures. The central question was how Kenya can limit or mitigate harmful food and drink industry influence while strengthening public health protection and community awareness.
Why the discussion mattered
Free sugars contribute to dental caries, while sugar-sweetened drinks and ultra-processed foods also increase wider non-communicable disease risks. In Kenya, oral health risks are shaped by marketing, product availability, sponsorship, lobbying, public messaging and regulatory gaps. Oral health is therefore a governance, consumer protection and accountability issue, not only a clinical concern.
How the discussion worked
Day 1 focused on evidence review, WP2.2 findings, breakout groups and initial theme refinement. Day 2 moved into ranking, further refinement, plenary discussion, prioritisation and final consensus building. The Delphi-style approach helped convert expert discussion into a policy-facing output through evidence review, ranking and structured prioritisation.
Priority themes and action areas
The final output organised proposed actions around five policy themes:
- Disease framing and health-risk awareness
- Media saturation and promotional reach
- Legislative influence
- Lobbying and political protection
- Regulatory navigation and accountability demands
What the activity achieved
The panel discussion translated prior Work Package 2 evidence into a prioritised set of policy and advocacy actions. It identified five priority themes, linked each theme to concrete activities, assigned possible responsible actors, identified key stakeholders and created a basis for future policy dialogue in Kenya.
Implications and next steps
The output reinforces that improving oral health in Kenya requires action beyond dental clinics. Stronger public communication, advertising regulation, consumer protection, fiscal and legislative measures, political engagement and institutional accountability are needed to address commercial influences on oral health.
The next phase should refine the proposed actions, align them with Kenyan policy and regulatory structures, identify feasible implementation pathways, and prepare communication materials for policymakers, professional bodies, public health institutions, civil society organisations and community stakeholders.
Conclusion
The Expert Panel discussion was an important step from evidence generation to policy action. By combining structured discussion, theme refinement, prioritisation and consensus building, the activity produced a practical foundation for future policy engagement and advocacy under the CORE Project.
