(1) I didnât look at community salt substitution at any real depth. My quick prioritization on tractable solutions (definitely the weakest part of the 5-day shallow research process) was that policy intervention via a tax would be more effective than direct delivery (including providing communities with free salt substitutes). And with GiveWell also less optimistic on this issue, there doesnât seem to be a strong case for re-examination.
(2) Didnât look at the other positive effectsâwill look to incorporate these in deeper research reports, as well as with the negative side effects (especially on how poorer families are likely to be affectedâitâs going to be the thorniest part of the political case for sodium taxes)
(3) Good point! Will be looking to re-examine the costing, by talking to experts and orgs (especially WASSH) in the area, especially since the topline cost-effectiveness number is so sensitive to this. I think itâs very possible that my view is overly influenced by the implicit understanding that this will be an EA organization running on CE-style leanness, but I was also encouraged by the fact that WASSH didnât have a monster budget or anything.
(4) The Thai Low Salt Network seems to be on the verge of success, and WASSH seemed successful in getting supermarkets to reduce product sodium content, but salt taxes are rare enough, and I donât believe there will be many organizations (unlike for sugar) that have a strong track record here. Will definitely be doing a deeper dive on thisâunfortunately, deeper case analysis (let along talking to experts) is just really hard to do within the 1-week shallow research stage
Hi Akhil! Hope youâre enjoying your new role!
(1) I didnât look at community salt substitution at any real depth. My quick prioritization on tractable solutions (definitely the weakest part of the 5-day shallow research process) was that policy intervention via a tax would be more effective than direct delivery (including providing communities with free salt substitutes). And with GiveWell also less optimistic on this issue, there doesnât seem to be a strong case for re-examination.
(2) Didnât look at the other positive effectsâwill look to incorporate these in deeper research reports, as well as with the negative side effects (especially on how poorer families are likely to be affectedâitâs going to be the thorniest part of the political case for sodium taxes)
(3) Good point! Will be looking to re-examine the costing, by talking to experts and orgs (especially WASSH) in the area, especially since the topline cost-effectiveness number is so sensitive to this. I think itâs very possible that my view is overly influenced by the implicit understanding that this will be an EA organization running on CE-style leanness, but I was also encouraged by the fact that WASSH didnât have a monster budget or anything.
(4) The Thai Low Salt Network seems to be on the verge of success, and WASSH seemed successful in getting supermarkets to reduce product sodium content, but salt taxes are rare enough, and I donât believe there will be many organizations (unlike for sugar) that have a strong track record here. Will definitely be doing a deeper dive on thisâunfortunately, deeper case analysis (let along talking to experts) is just really hard to do within the 1-week shallow research stage