Public health outcomes depend on the combined efforts of consumers, retailers and healthcare providers, speakers said during a panel discussion at the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Global Summit.

The session, The Future of Health, brought together Frans Muller, president and CEO of Ahold Delhaize, Brian McNamara, CEO of Haleon, and Sharon Bligh, health and sustainability director at the Consumer Goods Forum. The discussion examined pressures on healthcare systems, including ageing populations, changing health needs and environmental influences.

Muller said retailers can contribute by providing products, recipes and information that reflect consumer preferences. He said sustained improvements in public health require consistent habits rather than temporary changes in behaviour.

He said retailers can use customer preferences to recommend products and meal ideas that align with individual dietary choices, making healthier options more accessible.

The panel also discussed the use of technology in healthcare. McNamara said developments in artificial intelligence, diagnostics and health monitoring have expanded the tools available for identifying health risks and supporting disease prevention. He also referred to research indicating that concerns over the reliability of health information remain widespread.

Research cited during the discussion found that around two-fifths of consumers question the reliability of the health information they receive. The same research found that 60% of Generation Z consumers use AI tools before consulting healthcare professionals.

McNamara said access to accurate health information and stronger health literacy are necessary for informed decision-making. He said organisations within the consumer goods sector should work together to improve the quality and accessibility of health information.

The panel also addressed the increasing use of GLP-1 medications for weight management. McNamara said people taking these medicines require information on nutrition, management of side effects and maintaining weight after treatment. He added that preventing the conditions that lead to obesity remains an important public health objective.

Bligh stated that there is also a personal responsibility to ensure one’s own good health and that personal decisions are seen to be an essential component of improving health.

The Consumer Goods Forum Global Summit is currently ongoing in Vienna until 26 June, covering topics such as public health, sustainability and business.