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Introduction: In Portugal, the alcohol industry (AI) engages in corporate political activity, influencing decision-making and potentially obstructing the implementation of evidence-based alcohol policies, such as higher taxes, stricter advertising laws, and mandatory warning labels on all alcoholic beverages. Yet, no research has been conducted specifically on the industry’s corporate social responsibility activities (CSR), which can also hinder the implementation of these cost-effective policies while serving as a means for nurturing its reputation. Methods: This study addresses this gap by examining the CSR practices of ten AI actors in Portugal. Through qualitative content analysis, data collected from their websites was categorized based on an adapted framework considering seven CSR categories. Results: The results revealed CSR practices across all categories, with corporate philanthropy and alcohol information provision and education accounting for 65% of the analyzed data. The findings highlight potential conflicts between the public health initiatives of AI in Portugal and its profit-driven objectives. Conclusion: CSR activities undermine health protection and alcohol harm prevention efforts by promoting a dubious discourse about an undeniably harmful substance. The present study recommends considering vigilant monitoring, regulation, or even the ban on CSR practices of AI in Portugal.

Abstract Background Early diagnosis and treatment are improving significantly the quality of life of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This recessive disease is caused by a great variability of mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance (CFTR) gene, whose spectrum and frequency can be different across populations. Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of CF patients from the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal) through a clinical, genealogical, genetic and epidemiological investigation. The clinical course of patients was analyzed as a whole and according to their genotype. Results We identified 14 CF patients within a 23-year period, corresponding to a cumulative incidence of 1:3012 births, being three of them born from consanguineous unions. Genetic analysis revealed three CFTR genotypes: p.[Ser4Ter];[Gln1100Pro] was present in one patient with a less severe phenotype (1/14); c.[120del23];p.[Phe508del], a very rare one (2/14); and p.[Phe508del];[Phe508del] in the remaining patients (11/14). Clinically, respiratory infections (8/14) and growth failure (6/14) were the most common initial manifestations. All patients presented pancreatic dysfunction, with 21.4 and 100% of them showing endocrine and exocrine insufficiency, respectively. As expected, patients with severe phenotype were homozygous for p.Phe508del and had the lowest value of body mass index. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that São Miguel Island has an increased incidence of CF when compared to recent Portuguese data (1:7500 live births). It also allowed a comprehensive overview of CF in São Miguel, improving medical practice along with genetic counselling and creating opportunities for genotype-targeted therapies.