This project was for creating an advocacy campaign to reduce one of the most common risk factors of cardiovascular health – trans-fats. This campaign mainly involves the engagement of media, journalists, social media and other gate-keepers of media, in order to create awareness about the public health danger posed by trans-fat and its effects on cardiovascular health including obesity, hypertension, stroke and heart disease. This campaign also advocated for reducing trans-fat in foods in partnership with policymakers, regulators such as FSSAI and major food industry stakeholders. Advocating for effective implementation of state level hypertension prevention programs was also an integral part of the campaign.

Project learning and Impact:

During the project, Disha conducted Media advocacy workshops at National level, and various states like Punjab, Kerala and Maharashtra. Also, prepared two documents that mapped decision-making process for regulating Trans-fat in India.

During project period, it was noticed that numerous health media personnel were themselves not aware about ill-effects of trans-fatty acids or were misinformed on Hypertension. Thus, media-advocacy was a very effective tool to create right awareness and provide correct information on the cause. Also, although there has been awareness on fatty foods and its ill-effects. Its consumption has not been reduced due to unavailability of healthier options.

As a result of media advocacy, awareness building in public consumer groups and WHO guidelines on trans-fats, FSSAI decided to reduce trans-fats in Indian foods with a plan to eliminate trans-fats from India by 2022. In addition, through this project Disha also increased the awareness in media and state health departments about steps that can be taken for reducing hypertension and hypertension prevention in various states.