Dr Catherine Conlon: Obesity is declining in France, Italy and Portugal. Could Ireland be next?

Amid the many bad public health news stories, here's some good news: Ireland's Department of Health has signalled it is ready to challenge the global giants that promote unhealthy food 

There are hopeful signs in developed countries at least that the tide is turning in the global fight against obesity, but we must keep up momentum by developing a healthy food environment. Picture: iStock 

The first half of 2026 has been awash with bad news stories of private wealth over public health. Private care in public hospitals. Social media health harms. Alcohol labelling delayed for two years following intense lobbying from vested interests. Ongoing harms from tobacco consumption, vapes, and cannabis. In the last week, a report that Ireland is one of the biggest users of cocaine in Europe.

Hidden among all the negative headlines is a rare good news story that augurs hope for real change to happen over the next decade if the commercial determinants of obesity are challenged.