Health Tax Alliance

Effective diabetes prevention and care must begin with understanding the realities of those affected by the disease.

At #WorldDiabetesDay2026, speakers highlighted the gaps between public health messaging and lived experiences including misconceptions about diabetes, delayed and missed diagnoses, limited health literacy and the need for more accessible, inclusive patient education.

For HTA, these conversations reinforce the importance of evidence-based public health policies that address the risk factors contributing to NCDs alongside stronger prevention efforts and health education. #HealthTaxes @diabetes_alliza @HealtheNews @GautengHealth @HealthZA

The Health Tax Alliance joins stakeholders at Constitution Hill for #WorldDiabetesDay2026.

As South Africa works towards strengthening its response to diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, effective prevention policies and evidence-based fiscal measures must form part of the national response.

Health taxes are an important public health tool in reducing the consumption of harmful products and promoting healthier populations. @diabetes_alliza @GautengHealth @HealthZA

#HealthTaxes

Dr Candice Bailey, Strategic Communications Advisor at @RHAPnews, presents Phase 2 findings from stakeholder interviews exploring why efforts to strengthen South Africa's Health Promotion Levy have stalled.

Drawing on interviews with representatives from government, Parliament, civil society and research, the findings reveal a policy process shaped by competing interests, fragmented government positions and questions about whose voices carry the most influence.

The interviews also highlight a critical disconnect: public health and civil society stakeholders may be consulted, but consultation does not necessarily translate into influence over policy decisions.

The way forward calls for a unified government position, meaningful engagement with workers and farmers, credible evidence on employment impacts and sustained public advocacy. #HPL

Dr Micheal Kofi Boachie of @WitsPricelessSA presents the Phase 1 findings of the political economy study examining opposition to South Africa’s Health Promotion Levy.

The findings reveal how efforts to strengthen the levy have repeatedly stalled, despite its continued collection. Since 2019, the levy has remained at 2.21 cents per gram of sugar above the 4g/100ml threshold, with proposed increases and reforms yet to materialise.

The research identifies four key areas shaping the barriers to reform: sugar sector restructuring, competing institutional mandates, contested evidence and industry engagement.

It also highlights critical unanswered questions around the proposed inclusion of 100% fruit juice, lowering the sugar threshold and the use of HPL revenue to support public health.

Importantly, the findings distinguish between what documentary evidence establishes and what still requires further investigation through stakeholder interviews.

The central question remains: what will it take to move South Africa’s Health Promotion Levy from policy commitments to meaningful public health action? #HPL

Dr Darshini Govindasamy opens today's convening, setting the scene for a political economy study examining what is holding back efforts to strengthen South Africa's Health Promotion Levy.

Led by RHAP and PRICELESS SA, the study explores the policy decisions, competing interests and institutional factors shaping the levy.

The aim is to turn evidence and collective insights into meaningful recommendations that can inform stronger health tax policies and advance public health in South Africa. #HPL