The world is facing a mounting health financing crisis. In Africa, the rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rising placing considerable strain on healthcare systems, traditional sources of donor assistance are on the decline, and domestic revenue bases remain constrained in many countries. At the same time, health and well being are also shaped by food systems and nutrition, environmental condition and eco systems. These intersecting challenges are widening the gap between the resources healthcare systems require and those governments are able to mobilize.
In this context, tax policy has emerged as a powerful tool for advancing public health objectives while strengthening domestic resource mobilization. Well-designed health taxes can reduce the consumption of harmful products and promote healthier behaviours. At the same time, they can generate predictable and sustainable public revenues that can be used to address persistent health financing gaps through ‘sin-taxes’, tax incentives and exemptions.
This session will examine the role of tax policy in advancing healthier and more equitable societies. Discussions will explore the political economy of health taxes, industry influence, equity considerations, evidence from African countries, and strategies for strengthening public support for fiscal measures that improve both health outcomes and sustainable development. Participants will consider how health taxation fits within a broader transformative tax justice agenda that seeks to improve well-being, reduce inequality, and strengthen state capacity.