LAUSR

In recent years there has been increased interest in the role played by business corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies in promoting the health and wellbeing of internal and external stakeholders. However, the sparse public health research to date has mainly focused on the health and wellbeing of internal stakeholders. This viewpoint article aims to ignite discussion of how CSR strategies need to also target external stakeholders beyond the workplace. Businesses have an opportunity to help address the most important societal challenges, especially the social determinants of health which are the root causes of inequities in health. However, while advancing a new agenda for promoting external stakeholders’ health, businesses need to take into account potential challenges that might arise from ethical conflicts when trying to balance their CSR initiatives against their business operations. Significance for public health The role of businesses in improving public health has mainly been described from the workplace perspective, in terms of employee health and wellbeing. This viewpoint argues that it is time for businesses to also contribute to the improvement of health and wellbeing in society at large, using corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies to help address the social determinants of health as a way to contribute to health equity and the triple bottom line.