Mexico announced the creation of the Global Hub for Health and Food Policy Innovation, a specialized center that will operate from the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) to strengthen the technical capacity and leadership of countries in Asia and Africa in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases. The announcement was made during the international seminar “Health, prevention of chronic diseases and the transformation of food systems”, where health authorities, international organizations and researchers from five continents highlighted the country’s role as a reference in public policies to improve food environments.
Mexico consolidates leadership in public health and nutrition
Table of Contents
- Mexico consolidates leadership in public health and nutrition
- Creation of the Global Hub to promote evidence-based policies
- International organizations recognize the strategic role of the INSP
- The UN recognizes the INSP for its contributions to the prevention of chronic diseases
- Projection of the new center in international cooperation
During the seminar, the general director of the National Institute of Public Health, Eduardo Lazcano Ponce, highlighted that Mexico has achieved a relevant position in the implementation of public policies aimed at transforming food environments and preventing chronic diseases. He noted that the work of the Nutrition and Health Research Center (CINyS) has been decisive in documenting the magnitude of overweight and obesity in the country, as well as in promoting key regulatory measures such as front warning labeling, the regulation of advertising aimed at children, the promotion of breastfeeding and the promotion of physical activity.
Lazcano stressed that these advances have allowed the INSP to be recognized as a global benchmark in research and public policy in health and nutrition. During his speech, he announced that the CINyS-INSP will soon serve as a Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization (WHO) in terms of population nutrition and prevention of chronic diseases, a milestone that will reinforce the technical collaboration of the institute with international organizations.
Creation of the Global Hub to promote evidence-based policies
The director of the Nutrition and Health Research Center, Simón Barquera, formally announced the creation of the Global Hub for Health and Food Policy Innovation. This center will be part of the INSP and will function as an international platform dedicated to integrating the Mexican experience with research networks and public policy formulation focused on improving food environments.
Barquera explained that the new hub will seek to strengthen the generation of scientific evidence, the training of technical capacities and the support of governments and international organizations in the implementation of policies to prevent obesity, overweight and other diet-related diseases. He noted that the initiative will have a particular focus on countries in Africa and Asia, regions where strengthening food systems represents a priority public health challenge.
During the meeting, researchers from five continents participated within the framework of the INFORMAS initiative, a global network dedicated to the study of food environments and their impact on the health of the population. The international presence at the seminar reaffirmed the relevance of the work carried out by the INSP and its contribution to global research on nutrition.
International organizations recognize the strategic role of the INSP
Representing the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Mexico, Lina Pohl Alfaro recognized the INSP as a key space for technical thinking and the generation of evidence aimed at transforming food systems. He highlighted the value of the work carried out by the institute to understand the factors that influence consumption decisions and promote environments that promote healthier eating.
For her part, the director of Technical Support of the Undersecretary of Health and Population Policies, Vanessa Lizette Vizcarra Munguía, stressed that Mexico is at a key moment to advance in reducing the burden of chronic diseases. He pointed out that transforming food systems requires a comprehensive vision that covers everything from food production to the structural conditions that influence the health of the population, in line with the commitments assumed by the country in the 2030 Agenda.
The UN recognizes the INSP for its contributions to the prevention of chronic diseases
During the seminar, the commemorative plaque of the 2025 Prize of the Institutional Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, awarded by the United Nations to Mexico and the INSP, was unveiled. This recognition highlights the institute’s work in implementing public policies aimed at improving food environments and reducing the emergence of chronic diseases related to nutrition.
The academic event included the participation of the former INSP director and emeritus researcher, Juan Rivera, as well as the University of Auckland researcher, Boyd Swinburm. Their interventions reinforced the importance of integrating scientific evidence and public strategies to address current challenges in health and nutrition at a global level.
Projection of the new center in international cooperation
With the launch of the Global Hub for Health and Food Policy Innovation, Mexico reinforces its role as an international reference in the design of public policies aimed at improving food environments and preventing chronic diseases. The INSP is consolidated as a strategic institution for technical cooperation with countries in Asia and Africa, strengthening the global capacity to face the growing burden of diseases associated with diet and expanding its contribution to international public health.
