Given the evidence that the promotion of unhealthy products increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases to cancer, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working on the formation of an artificial intelligence tool ( IA) that helps to effectively control and regulate the promotion of harmful products aimed primarily at children.
This is a significant step by WHO in Europe addressed at a high-level regional meeting with government representatives and hospital doctors.
The WHO calls on consumers to be part of a project aimed at creating a healthier society. “It can contribute to the formation of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that will help countries in the WHO European region to effectively control and regulate the promotion of harmful products aimed primarily at children: from tobacco and alcohol to foods high in salt, trans fats and sugars”, indicates the WHO.
Ads harm children’s health
According to WHO research, “there is clear evidence that the promotion of unhealthy products increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs): from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases to cancer.”
Another damaging element is that “the online marketing of fast food and sugary drinks is linked to childhood obesity, which can lead to more chronic diseases later in life.”
One of the problems detected is that while the authorities “try to protect children from such advertising techniques, marketing companies are aggressively using new online tactics on social networks.”
new tool
The WHO’s new online tool aims to give consumers the opportunity to counter these marketing tactics.
Dr Kremlin Wickramasinghe, WHO/Europe Regional Advisor on Nutrition, Physical Health Activity and Obesity, explains: “We have created our artificial intelligence tool to help governments develop new ways to monitor and protect children from exposure to advertisements for products that are harmful to health”.
The WHO invites the public to participate “in this work if they want to improve the future of our children, to promote healthier options for a better life.”
The new AI tool developed by the WHO’s European Office for the Prevention and Control of NCDs is ready, but to be effective it needs the participation of as many consumers as possible.
How does it work?
The WHO tool can be obtained at the link provided on the page, it is easy to use and also protects the privacy of the user.
The idea is that whenever the user finds online or offline ads promoting any product that may negatively affect children, they can take a screenshot or image and upload it.
Among the products evaluated by the WHO, the following stand out: unhealthy foods/drinks, alcohol, cigarettes/new tobacco products, such as vaping devices and breast milk substitutes for infants (0 to 6 months).
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