How is the study contributing to assessing the impact of the sugar tax?
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What we know |
What we don’t know |
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The sugar tax has helped to reduce the number of children needing hospital treatment for tooth extractions caused by tooth decay. |
It is unclear whether the tax has helped reduce the gap in tooth decay rates between social groups, ethnic backgrounds and living areas. |
The study is looking to answer:
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How does the sugar tax impact the distribution of severe tooth decay across:
- Social groups
- Ethnic backgrounds
- Living areas?
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What are the economic benefits associated with sugar tax?
How is the study being conducted?
The study is using existing hospital admission data for tooth extractions in children under 18 years old in England.
By comparing data before, during, and after the implementation of the sugar tax, the study will analyse any changes and differences in hospital admissions across socioeconomic groups, ethnicities and living areas.
The second part of the project will calculate public savings resulting from the sugar tax, as well as the financial benefits for the health system.
The study is under development, and the results will be published here.