Researchers win prestigious Public Health Journal Paper of the Year Award with research on gambling advertising and public health
A team of researchers, including members of the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), has been honoured with the prestigious Public Health Journal Paper of the Year award.
The Public Health Evidence Reviews & Synthesis Team (PHERST) at the Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR) has received the award for their impactful study on the relationship between gambling advertising and gambling-related harm. SARG team members Ellen McGrane, Dr Rob Pryce and Professor Matt Field played key roles in the research and writing of the paper.
The award, presented at the Royal Society of Public Health Annual Awards on 28 November 2024, recognises the paper as the most cited in the journal over the past year.
The study is a comprehensive review of evidence on the relationship between gambling advertising and gambling-related harm. Contrary to industry claims that no causal link exists, the research highlights robust experimental, observational and qualitative evidence that exposure to gambling advertising contributes to gambling-related harm, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and young people.
The study, 'What is the evidence that advertising policies could have an impact on gambling-related harms?', highlights the urgent need to regulate and limit gambling advertising. It has been cited in both the Gambling White Paper published in 2023, and in the final report of the IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity published in September 2024.
Lead author Ellen McGrane, a Wellcome-funded PhD student and Research Associate in the Sheffield Addictions Research Group, expressed her excitement:
"I was delighted that our work was recognised by this prestigious award. We hope our review helps provide much needed evidence to support action by national government and local councils to reduce the harmful impact of gambling, by regulating and limiting advertising, particularly to children and young people and to other vulnerable groups."
Senior author, Liddy Goyder, Professor of Public Health who accepted the award on behalf of her co-authors, emphasised the study's immediate relevance:
"I was delighted to be able to attend the Royal Society of Public Health Annual Awards Ceremony to accept the award with co-authors from Sheffield and Glasgow. It is a great example of our public health research and evidence synthesis programme producing studies with immediate value to policymakers and public health practitioners."
The author team comprised Ellen McGrane, Professor Liddy Goyder, Mark Clowes, Dr Lindsay Blank, Dr Rob Pryce and Professor Matt Field of the University of Sheffield, Professor Heather Wardle of the University of Glasgow and Carolyn Sharpe of Imperial College London.
This is an edited version of an article which originally appeared on the University of Sheffield website.
Increase in alcohol deaths in England an 'acute crisis'
The persistent higher rate of alcohol deaths in England since the pandemic in 2020 is an 'acute crisis' requiring urgent action from government, according to a new study led by researchers from University College London and the Sheffield Addictions Research Group.
SARG experts to present at IAS webinar on minimum unit pricing
SARG Director Professor John Holmes and Research Fellow Dr Abi Stevely will be sharing their extensive knowledge and insights on minimum unit pricing (MUP) at a webinar hosted by the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS).
Ellen McGrane speaks on gambling marketing at public health event
SARG Research Associate Ellen McGrane presented research on the links between gambling marketing and behaviour at a recent event on the role local authorities play in creating healthier local environments.
Sheffield research shows Drink Less app could save lives and millions for the NHS
A new study led by Professor Colin Angus of the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) has revealed the significant potential of the Drink Less app in reducing alcohol-related harm and saving the NHS millions of pounds.
You might also be interested in…
SARG researchers present work on gambling advertising and inequalities in harms
Researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group recently presented their work on the effectiveness of gambling advertising bans and the unequal impact of gambling and alcohol on disadvantaged communities.
New report on the need for gambling disorder treatment published today
Researchers at the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, have conducted a study that sheds light on the prevalence of harmful gambling in England.
SARG team highlights alcohol and gambling research at the Festival of Social Science
The Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) recently took part in the ESRC Festival of Social Science by hosting an interactive activity stand in Sheffield's Moor Market.