Mapping corporate strategies: A methodology to assess commercial determinants of oral health in low- and middle-income countries

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a replicable methodology to systematically track and analyze corporate strategies employed by processed food and beverage industries and assess their implications for oral and general health in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: The methodology was developed under the NIHR-funded CORE project. Data were collected through keyword-based searches across corporate websites, sustainability reports, academic literature, policy documents, media databases, and social media platforms. A structured coding framework was created to classify corporate activities across marketing practices, policy influence, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Results: The framework enabled comprehensive mapping of corporate strategies influencing dietary behaviors and policy environments. Findings revealed country-specific tactics including targeted digital marketing, lobbying activities, CSR-driven brand positioning, regulatory exploitation, and shifting consumer demand dynamics. Conclusions: The proposed framework provides a robust tool for monitoring commercial determinants of oral health. It supports evidence-based advocacy, regulatory action, and policy development aimed at improving oral health equity in resource-constrained settings.