Plant-based foods in healthcare sustainability policy

A scoping review of policy tools, gaps, and implementation challenges

Bibliographic Data

ID21467994
AuthorsDiane Heart (0000-0003-3782-7530, University of Southern Queensland, corresponding author), Carina Anderson, Carina C Anderson (0000-0001-7805-6205, University of Southern Queensland), Sachithra Lokuge (University of Southern Queensland), Jeffrey Soar (0000-0002-4964-7556, The University of Queensland)
Year2026
Volume168
Pages105580
Publication date2026-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0168-8510 • E-ISSN: 1872-6054
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.healthpol.2026.105580
PMID41825255
OpenAlexW7133222330
LanguageEN
References cited59

BACKGROUND: Plant-based diets can improve health outcomes while reducing food-system environmental impacts. Healthcare organisations can influence dietary practices through food procurement, policy, and education, but the extent to which plant-based foods are embedded in healthcare sustainability policy remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To map evidence on the role of plant-based foods in healthcare sustainability policies aimed at reducing healthcare-related emissions. METHODS: The review employed a scoping methodology guided by the PRISMA-ScR framework. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted across major academic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Studies were included if they addressed plant-based or sustainable foods, healthcare organisations, sustainability practices, and/or health policy frameworks. Inclusion criteria focused on articles published in English between January 2013 and February 2024. Data were charted and thematically analysed. RESULTS: The search identified 2640 records; 29 sources met inclusion. Evidence supports plant-based food strategies as a lever for health and sustainability, yet explicit integration into healthcare policy was limited and inconsistent. Where present, plant-based approaches were usually embedded within broader nutrition or sustainability initiatives rather than framed as a standalone policy lever. Policy leadership was most evident in the United Kingdom and Qatar; Australia and the United States were described as facing structural and political constraints, including fragmented mandates, industry influence, and limited monitoring and evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Plant-based foods remain underrepresented in healthcare sustainability policy despite strong rationale for emissions reduction and health co-benefits. Clearer policy commitments, measurable targets, evaluation frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration are needed to translate evidence into scalable healthcare practice

Health care · Healthcare policy · Procurement · Sustainability · Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability · Health Policy

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access