Modelling

The Sheffield Addictions Research Group uses computer modelling and simulation to evaluate policies, predict behaviour and identify trends.

Introduction

The Sheffield Addictions Research Group uses a range of modelling techniques to inform policy decisions and public health interventions. We specialise in several modelling approaches, including:

  • Cost-effectiveness modelling: We evaluate the economic impact of different interventions and policies, with the aim of identifying the most cost-effective ways to reduce harms from alcohol, tobacco, gambling and other addictive behaviours.
  • Policy analysis and evaluation: We use modelling to assess the potential impact of proposed policies, ensuring that evidence-based decisions are made.
  • Agent-based modelling: This technique allows us to simulate the behaviour of individuals within a population, helping us to understand how factors like social networks and environmental influences can impact addiction patterns.
  • Trends and patterns analysis: We identify trends in behaviours and health outcomes, enabling us to predict future challenges.

The Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Modelling Platform

The Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Modelling Platform (STAPM) is a comprehensive and flexible modelling resource designed to assess the potential health and economic impacts of tobacco and alcohol policies. Since the inception of the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model (SAPM) in 2008, the platform has undergone extensive development and has been instrumental in numerous policy decisions including the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland.

Agent-based modelling

Our experts in the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering have received funding from the USA's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) to develop new computer models of alcohol use through the CASCADE and SIMAH projects. New agent-based modelling for tobacco is also being developed through a research programme funded by Cancer Research UK.

Gambling

PhD student and SARG Research Associate Esther Moore is developing the first public health economic model of gambling which aims to estimate the potential impact of a ban on gambling advertisements on TV.

Talk to our experts

To discuss our modelling work drop us a line at sarg@sheffield.ac.uk and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Research involving modelling

SPIRE

SPIRE

'Scoping of Policy Impacts for Regulating E-cigarettes (SPIRE): a data and decision analytic model mapping project' aims to learn what type of research about vapes would be most useful for policy making, what data already exists to go into this type of analysis and what new data are needed.

STAPM

STAPM

The Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Modelling Platform (STAPM) research programme aims to identify and evaluate approaches to reducing the harms caused by tobacco and alcohol consumption. By providing policymakers with evidence-based insights, STAPM seeks to improve public health policymaking and commissioning.

SIMAH

SIMAH

The SIMAH project investigates the link between alcohol use and life expectancy, with a focus on socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity as modifying factors.

SPECTRUM

SPECTRUM

The SPECTRUM Consortium is a multi-university, multi-agency research consortium focused on the commercial determinants of health and health inequalities, funded by the UK Prevention Research Partnership.

CASCADE

CASCADE

The CASCADE project aimed to develop new computer models of alcohol use which draw on existing theories for why people drink and sought novel combinations of these theories in order to better explain the changes in alcohol use we observe in society.

SAPM

SAPM

The Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model (also known as SAPM) provides estimates of the health and economic impacts of a broad range of alcohol policies as well as how these impacts vary across different groups in the population.

ODHIN

ODHIN

Optimising Delivery of Healthcare Interventions (ODHIN) was an EU-wide project focusing on understanding how best to translate the results of clinical research into everyday primary health care.