The Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Sir Frank Atherton, has called on large companies to take greater corporate social responsibility for public health in his 2023 annual report.

This year’s report, called ‘Shaping our Health’, focuses on the strategies and approaches used by businesses to promote products and choices that are detrimental to our health – including vaping, gambling, and ultra-processed food and drinks.

It says big industries can significantly influence our environment and our choices in varied and complex ways; from the sourcing and manufacturing of products to marketing methods.

The Chief Medical Officer’s annual report looks at the state of public health in Wales and makes recommendations to improve this.