The role of regulatory policies on unhealthy commodities to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases in the Americas.

The growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) cannot be addressed through clinical interventions alone. Population-level regulatory interventions-such as fiscal measures, marketing restrictions, and labeling regulations-are central to effective NCD prevention and control. This article addresses the role of regulatory policies in preventing NCDs, with a focus on progress and implementation gaps in the Americas. In the context of NCDs, unhealthy commodity industries, including companies that produce and promote tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food products, play a significant role in shaping patterns of NCD risk. Their activities influence not only the availability, access, and affordability of unhealthy commodities but also misinform the public's perception about what is healthy. These industries shape trends in consumption and harm while actively working to expand markets and influence regulatory environments in ways that may delay or dilute effective public health measures. Although considerable progress has been made in recent years, most Member States have not fully met their international commitments to regulate unhealthy commodities industries, products, practices, and policies. The fabrication of NCD epidemics due to the unhealthy commodities industries moves faster and stronger than the capacity to improve care for NCDs in the absence of effective policies to regulate these corporations' products, practices, and policies. Therefore, an essential component of the improvement of care for NCDs in the Americas is the strengthening of the regulatory capacities of Member States to regulate tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed products industries and to safeguard policies from their interference.