SARG researchers to showcase local health modelling at the Prevention Research Conference 2026
Researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) will present work from the Local Health and Global Profits programme at the Prevention Research Conference 2026 in Birmingham on 4-5 March.
SARG researchers Dr Esther Chanakira and Dr Charlotte Head will present work from the Local Health and Global Profits project, part of the Population Health Improvement UK programme which aims to discover innovative and inclusive ways to improve the health of people, places and communities.
SARG presentations
The SARG team will lead three sessions demonstrating how advanced modelling can inform local policy:
- Evaluating obesity interventions: Dr Esther Chanakira will discuss the potential impact of restricting advertisements for foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). Using an adaptation of a microsimulation model developed as part of the HEALTHEI project, her research simulates how policies – such as banning HFSS adverts near schools – affect long-term health outcomes, quality of life, and NHS cost savings in local authority areas.
- Estimating obesity, smoking and alcohol use in small areas: Dr Charlotte Head will present a method for creating 'synthetic populations' to estimate health risk behaviours across England. By using spatial microsimulation, this work identifies geographical hotspots of smoking, obesity and risky levels of alcohol consumption at a neighbourhood level. This offers local decision-makers a powerful tool for targeting prevention strategies where they are most needed.
- Modelling alcohol availability: In a second presentation, Charlotte will talk about work adapting STAPM (the Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Modelling Platform), to investigate how limiting the density of pubs and off-licences can reduce alcohol consumption and the incidence of related diseases across different local communities.
- Reimagining equitable futures: In addition to her research presentation, Esther will join an interactive roundtable discussion: Reimagining Healthier and More Equitable Futures, moderated by Professor Petra Meier.
About the Prevention Research Conference
The Prevention Research Conference brings together researchers, practitioners and policy stakeholders to share and discuss the latest research on preventing non-communicable disease and reducing health inequalities across the UK.
The Birmingham event marks the second conference to date. SARG's Dr Duncan Gillespie and Dr Damon Morris attended the first conference in 2023 where they shared insights on the potential economic benefits to local areas if smoking was eliminated, alongside work modelling the impact of reforms to the UK alcohol duty system.
Further reading
Prevention Research Conference 2026 – The official website for the conference in Birmingham, featuring the full programme and keynote details.
Local Health and Global Profits (SARG project page) – An overview of the project and our work at the University of Sheffield.
Population Health Improvement UK (PHI-UK) – Further information on the PHI-UK programme which aims to bring together diverse expertise and insight to find innovative and inclusive ways to improve the health of people, places and communities.
HEALTHEI – Background on the the NIHR-funded project 'Health Economic Analysis incorporating effects on Labour outcomes, Households, Environment and Inequalities (HEALTHEI) for food taxes'.
The STAPM Platform – Details of the Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Modelling Platform (STAPM), a comprehensive and flexible modelling resource designed to assess the potential health and economic impacts of tobacco and alcohol policies.
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