The relationship between public health and profitability in food sector

Introduction. The connection between population health and profitability in the food sector is relevant because a healthy population can drive demand for quality products, while business development can contribute to improved nutrition and public health. This study is aimed at developing theoretical provisions for the dependence of the general integrated health status of the population on the total aggregate profitability indicator of the food business. Materials and methods. The materials used in the study were as follows: scientific publications and research in nutrition, public health, economics, and marketing addressing the relationship between population health and profitability in the food sector. Methods employed in the study included modeling and forecasting to develop scenarios for the food sector, taking into account population health status. Results. A theoretical dependence of the integral health indicator on the overall aggregate profitability rate of the agro-industrial complex, food industry, and food retail has been established. Variations in health status under different parameters of its parabolic dependence on the aggregate profitability of the food business were examined. A conditional numerical example of the dependence in the form of a cubic parabola of health status on changes in the total aggregate profitability rate of the food business was presented and analyzed. It was concluded that the primary task of establishing and achieving health status indicators (the overarching goal) involved not only market-driven but also state-regulated provision of appropriate parameters for the overall aggregate profitability of the food business. It was proven that an increase in profitability (return on sales) of food products affected changes in population health, particularly in terms of nutritional disorders and metabolic dysfunctions. Conclusion. Growing public awareness of proper nutrition encourages companies to develop and promote healthier products, such as organic and functional foods. This helps optimize production by reducing costs and strengthens marketing strategies through collaboration with medical and governmental organizations. As a result, demand for healthier products increases, contributing to reduced healthcare costs and the creation of new jobs in the healthy food sector and related industries.