New Zealand considers smart card to encourage healthy eating
03 September, 2009
category: Health
New Zealand’s Ministry of Health is considering issuing a smart card that would offer subsidies for those on welfare to buy healthy food, according to the New Zealand Herald.
The program would encourage consumption of healthy foods in low- and middle-income families with children to reduce New Zealand’s high rate of obesity.
Health economist have suggested the government set up a smart-card subsidy system that would be similar to the food stamps now given to low-income families in the United States on an electronic debit card. If families purchases healthy foods they would receive extra funds on the card.
Read more here.