Page 42 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

that decrease obesity and non-communicable changed significantly since 1994 (63 to 65 years) there
diseases (NCDs). We engage with them regularly to have been some gains in health. SA has introduced a
disseminate our research. vaccine schedule that saves thousands of children's
lives and now has the largest treatment programme
PRICELESS also engages directly with the media for HIV infection in the world. However, we are now
to get our research findings to reach the maximum confronting an obesity epidemic that has led to
audience. PRICELESS SA's media engagement an increase in chronic NCDs that threaten health
report for the year 2023/24 recorded that our media systems, economies, and lives, but our policies and
engagement earned a total Advertising Value resource allocation have not kept pace. There has
Equivalent (AVE) of R 8,196,171.00. We disseminated been some progress including the tobacco control
our work through television channels such as ENCA, legislation in 1993, the 2018 Health Promotion
radio stations such as Radio 702, Cape Talk, and Levy (sugary beverage tax), and mandatory salt
SAFM; newspapers such as Business Day, Daily
Maverick, Witness, and Times Live and many more regulations (2016, 2019). Although these contribute
to reducing NCDs, much more is required.
both in print and online. We also contribute to panel
discussions at events such as the Human Rights Day To ensure an appropriate NHI – we need to
festival. understand the costs of good quality health
interventions in the health system and which
A specific example was the South African launch of interventions in other sectors would decrease
the Lancet Series on Commercial Determinants of
Health. The launch featured a panel discussion by morbidity and mortality, especially for the most
an eminent panel of local and international public vulnerable. We need a commitment to the control
health, civil society, government, scientific, and of the commercial determinants of health such as
academic representatives and moderated by the alcohol, ultra-processed foods, and air pollution. We
Maverick Citizen. PRICELESS-SA arranged a media need to focus on measuring equity in health and then
partnership with The Conversation Africa to publish dealing with the inequities. We need to ensure that
a series of CDOH-related articles to coincide with our health services are governed according to the
the publication of The Lancet Series. highest standards to ensure that all South Africans
can reach their full potential. Priority setting is more
In celebration of 30 years of important now than ever, we need to be making
democracy in South Africa impactful choices and trade-offs in our resource-
constrained setting to ensure the maximum health
Although life expectancy in South Africa has not for our population.

Delegates from the National Institute for Health An invite to the exhibition on the history of
and Care Research at PRICELESS offices. processed food which was hosted by PRICELESS
and Adler Museum.

40 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24