Due to increasing concern about the harms associated with gambling in the UK, Public Health England has been addressed by the Government, which asked the organisation to carry out an evidence-based probe into the specific health aspects which gambling-related harm has. The move is aimed at raising the awareness of the possible negative consequences from gambling and providing British people with more information about prevention and treatment.
Back in May 2018, the Department of Culture, Media and Sports published a response to a consultation on proposals for changes to fixed-odds gaming terminals (FOBTs) and social responsibility measures. So, in order to fulfil the commitment made at the time, the authorities ordered the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) to review the effectiveness of national and international policies and the measures taken by the competent authorities to tackle gambling-related harm. Now, PHE has been asked to carry out a broader evidence review on the prevalence of gambling across the country and the health harms which have been associated with it.
The evidence is to be conducted as part of the authorities’ efforts to take part in a series of measures unveiled to address gambling-related harms. A number of objectives have been unveiled as part of the review which is to be held by Public Health England – to describe the prevalence of gambling and gambling-related harm in England; to identify and describe the harms which gambling does to individuals, families and entire communities; to identify the most distinctive features of gambling and compulsive gambling; to examine the social and economic impact which gambling-related harm has; to gather stakeholder opinions on gambling-related harms in England.
PHE to Use Various Methods to Check the Possible Gambling-Related Harm which Individuals in England May Face
A variety of methods are set to be used by PHE in order to carry out an efficient review of the sector and the possible harm that could be inflicted to individuals, their families and communities.
Public Health England is set to carry out a quantitative analysis of secondary data that will broadly cover gambling participation of British citizens by the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2015. In addition, the analysis will also cover the prevalence of gambling and compulsive gambling behaviour of England’s residents by year. Geographical prevalence is to be explored, too. PHE is to also investigate the socio-demographic factors which are associated with gambling and gambling-related harm, as well as the effect they have on local people’s health.
Also, the organisation is to hold two rapid evidence reviews, with the first one focused on the risk factors of gambling and gambling-related harm, and the other on the actual harms which are believed to be inflicted on individuals, their friends and families, as well as to the wider society by gambling and harmful gambling. Apart from that, PHE will review the social and economic cost of gambling-related harm.
As mentioned above, the organisation will also complement its review with seeking stakeholders’ opinions on perspectives of gambling-related harm.
The report of Public Health England is set to be completed by the spring of 2020. Other materials, including a summary and academic assessments, will then be produced.
- Author
Daniel Williams
