Alex Price1, Margo Hilbrecht2,3, Rosa Billi4. 1. Centre for the Advancement of Best Practices, The Responsible Gambling Council, 205-411 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5A 3S5 Canada. 2. Gambling Research Exchange, 214A-55 Wyndham Street North, Guelph, Ontario N1H 7T8 Canada. 3. University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada. 4. Victoria Responsible Gambling Foundation, Level 6, 14-20 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051 Australia.
Abstract
Aim: Gambling harm is a serious public health issue affecting the health, financial security, and social well-being of millions of people and their close relations around the world. Despite its population health implications, gambling harm is not typically viewed and treated as a public health policy issue. This paper critically reviews the evolution of the public health perspective on gambling harm. It also considers how gambling harm can be operationalized within a public health model. Methods: A critical historical review of the emerging public health perspective on gambling harm was conducted. Key documents covering three decades of development were reviewed and appraised through a process of deliberation and debate over source impact in the fields of research, policy, and programming internationally. Results: The first decade mainly focused on identifying gambling harm and framing the public health issue. The second decade featured the expansion of health assessment and emerging areas of policy and program development. The third decade saw an increased focus on public health frameworks that advanced understanding of harm mechanics and impact. As reflected by the essential functions of a general public health model, gambling harm prevention efforts emphasize health promotion over other key functions like health assessment and surveillance. Conclusion: Gambling harm is a public health issue requiring greater attention to health assessment and surveillance data development.
Aim: Gambling harm is a serious public health issue affecting the health, financial security, and social well-being of millions of people and their close relations around the world. Despite its population health implications, gambling harm is not typically viewed and treated as a public health policy issue. This paper critically reviews the evolution of the public health perspective on gambling harm. It also considers how gambling harm can be operationalized within a public health model. Methods: A critical historical review of the emerging public health perspective on gambling harm was conducted. Key documents covering three decades of development were reviewed and appraised through a process of deliberation and debate over source impact in the fields of research, policy, and programming internationally. Results: The first decade mainly focused on identifying gambling harm and framing the public health issue. The second decade featured the expansion of health assessment and emerging areas of policy and program development. The third decade saw an increased focus on public health frameworks that advanced understanding of harm mechanics and impact. As reflected by the essential functions of a general public health model, gambling harm prevention efforts emphasize health promotion over other key functions like health assessment and surveillance. Conclusion: Gambling harm is a public health issue requiring greater attention to health assessment and surveillance data development.
Authors: Alex Price; Nassim Tabri; Sasha Stark; Iris M Balodis; Michael J A Wohl Journal: Int J Ment Health Addict Date: 2022-01-20 Impact factor: 3.836
Authors: Nerilee Hing; Alex M T Russell; Matthew Browne; Matthew Rockloff; Catherine Tulloch; Vijay Rawat; Nancy Greer; Nicki A Dowling; Stephanie S Merkouris; Daniel L King; Matthew Stevens; Anne H Salonen; Helen Breen; Linda Woo Journal: J Behav Addict Date: 2022-06-30 Impact factor: 7.772