Task Force on Fiscal Policy for Health

The Task Force on Fiscal Policy for Health was convened in 2018 to address the growing global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Co-chaired by Mike Bloomberg and economist Larry Summers, former Secretary of the U.S. Treasury and former Director of the National Economic Council, the Task Force unites senior fiscal policy, development, and health leaders from around the world. Its aim is to apply neglected fiscal policy tools to address this vast and growing medical and economic burden.

NCDs are the leading cause of death in the world, killing 40 million people each year. Seventy-seven percent of NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, imposing a strain on health care systems, contributing to poverty, and obstructing development. Tobacco use, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption are three leading risk factors for the development of NCDs.

Health Taxes to Save Lives

The Task Force examines and recommends ways in which countries can adjust excise tax policy to help improve public health while also bringing in additional revenue. In April 2019, the Task Force released the “Health Taxes to Save Lives” report, calling on all countries to significantly raise their excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and sugary beverages. An analysis conducted for the Task Force estimated that over 50 million premature deaths could be prevented if countries implemented tax increases sufficient to raise the prices of these products by 50% over the next 50 years. The analysis found that the impact of these taxes, projected to yield over $20 trillion in revenue, would be greatest in low- and middle-income countries, where consumption and associated health care costs and productivity losses are on the rise.

Reports and Resources

Health Taxes to Save Lives: Employing Effective Excise Taxes on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Sugary Beverages 

• Download the report in English
• Download the report in Chinese
• Download the report in Spanish
• Download the report in Portuguese

Supporting materials

• Background Paper Briefs
• Country Case Studies
• Tobacco, Alcohol, and Sugary Beverages in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Harms, Consumption and Costs
• Using Fiscal Policy to Promote Health: Taxing Tobacco, Alcohol, and Sugary Beverages
• Structure and Tactics of the Tobacco, Alcohol, and Sugary Beverage Industries
• Modeling the Impact of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Sugary Beverage Tax Increases on Health and Revenue: Methods