The potential of autonomous delivery services to increase fast-food consumption.

Objective: Technological innovations in the online food delivery sector include the use of autonomous delivery vehicles. The aim of the present study was to investigate consumers' intentions to use these services once they are widely available and their motivations for using them to access unhealthy food.

Design: Online survey including a vignette describing a future world where autonomous food deliveries are in common use in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.

Consumer support for restrictive policies on unhealthy food and beverage delivery via drones.

Objective: Drone delivery services are set to increase unhealthy food and alcohol accessibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate public receptiveness to various options for regulating drone food and beverage deliveries and to identify sociodemographic differences in receptiveness.

Methods: In total, 1079 adults were surveyed to assess total support and differences in support between population subgroups (e.

Development and validation of the Perceived Effectiveness of Nutrition Messages Scale.

An understanding of the extent to which target audiences consider different nutrition-related messages to be effective could assist campaign developers design more persuasive communications. Accordingly, this study sought to develop and assess the utility of the Perceived Effectiveness of Nutrition Messages Scale (PENMS). A longitudinal online survey was completed by Australian adults (n = 5,014 at Time 1 and 2,880 at Time 2).

Zero alcohol products and adolescents: A tool for harm reduction or a trojan horse?

Introduction: Zero alcohol products (ZAPs) could reduce alcohol-related harms by acting as a substitute for alcoholic beverages. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for these products to expose young people to additional alcohol-related stimuli, further normalising alcohol use and acting as a gateway to underage alcohol consumption. Scarce research has examined whether these concerns are warranted.

Exploring the feasibility of a gambling harm screening model in general practice and community service settings in Fairfield: a pilot study.

Background: Gambling is a growing public health issue in Australia. However, limited research has examined the role of primary health care and social services in routine screening for gambling harm in Australia. This research aimed to explore the enablers and barriers to implementing a co-designed gambling screening model in Fairfield, New South Wales - an area with high gambling expenditure.

Type and prevalence of nutrition-related claims on alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages.

Objective: To examine the extent of nutrition-related claims on ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol products to provide insights into the types and prevalence of claims across the category.

Methods: Product type, alcohol content, and presence/type of nutrition-related claims (n=491) information was collected, March-May 2022. Chi-square analyses with pairwise z-tests were used to identify differences in claim prevalence by product type.

Evaluation outcomes of a Western Australian campaign designed to reduce alcohol use in pregnancy.

Objective: To assess (i) the effectiveness of a mass media campaign communicating the potential harms associated with consuming even small amounts of alcohol in pregnancy and (ii) changes in females' intentions to abstain during pregnancy after campaign exposure.

Methods: Independent samples of ∼400 Western Australian adults (18-45 years) were recruited at two time points (before and after the 'One Drink' campaign) to complete online surveys. Attitudinal and behavioural intention outcomes were assessed at both time points.

The potential adverse effects of minors' exposure to alcohol-related stimuli via licenced venues: A narrative review.

Issues: Young people are particularly impressionable when it comes to forming expectations and attitudes around alcohol consumption. Any stimuli that normalise and foster positive expectations around alcohol use may increase the risk of underage alcohol consumption. Alcohol venues that market themselves as being appropriate 'family friendly' establishments for children risk exposing minors to environments that are saturated with alcohol-related stimuli.

Uptake of mandated pregnancy warnings in the Australian alcoholic ready-to-drink beverage market.

Introduction: A mandatory pregnancy warning was introduced in Australia 2020 to advise the public of the potential harms of prenatal alcohol exposure. Due to industry pressure, a 3-year implementation period was granted. The aim of this study was to analyse the extent to which the mandatory warning had been applied to ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol product labels almost 2 years into the implementation period.

Australians' perceptions of the potential effects of increased access to alcohol via autonomous delivery services: A multi-method study.

Introduction: Rapid technological change will affect how people access harmful products. For example, automated delivery services are forecast to provide fast and affordable product access options for those purchasing alcohol. Information about the potential impacts of such innovations on alcohol purchase and consumption behaviors is lacking.

The inexorable rise of automated food deliveries and potential anticipatory policy actions.

Objective: Food deliveries to consumers using autonomous vehicles are forecast to become commonplace in Australia and globally. The aims of this study were to (i) explore the anticipated nature of AV food delivery services in Australia and (ii) identify available policy options to optimise positive outcomes and minimise any negative consequences for health and well-being.

Methods: In total, 36 interviews were conducted with 40 expert stakeholders across a range of relevant sectors including transport, urban planning, health and telecommunications.

Evaluating an alcohol harm-reduction campaign advising drinkers of the alcohol-cancer link.

Introduction: Public awareness of the alcohol-cancer link is low. Provision of this information could reduce alcohol consumption and related harms. The Spread campaign is a multi-media education campaign implemented in Western Australia to inform people about the carcinogenic properties of alcohol and associated harms.

Trends in and factors associated with parental provision of alcohol to minors in Western Australia, 2013-2019.

Introduction: Some parents provide alcohol to their underage children, despite a range of negative outcomes being associated with this practice. The present study aimed to assess factors associated with and changes in parental provision behaviours from 2013 to 2019 in Western Australia.

Methods: Annual cross-sectional online surveys were conducted (total n = 2635).

Population Subgroups at Risk of Unhealthy Changes in Food and Beverage Consumption During COVID-19 Lockdowns.

Background: Understanding health behaviour changes during the COVID-19 pandemic can assist in developing strategies to promote healthy lifestyles at such times. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine whether the frequency of consuming unhealthy foods and beverages changed during lockdown and whether certain population subgroups were more likely to make such changes.

Method: An online survey was administered to a national sample of 4022 Australian adults (51% female, mean age 48 years).

Public perceptions of responsibility for recommended food policies in seven countries.

Background: Food policy is important to promote healthy and sustainable diets. However, who is responsible for developing and implementing food policy remains contentious. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how the public attributes responsibility for food policy to governments, individuals and the private sector.

Expert stakeholders' views on the potential nature and impacts of autonomous alcohol home delivery.

Introduction: The emergence of autonomous vehicles (AV) heralds new methods of alcohol delivery that are likely to have substantial implications for home drinking. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that have the potential to hasten or restrict widescale increases in alcohol availability resulting from AVs.

Methods: Thirty-six interviews were conducted with 44 stakeholders across diverse sectors.

Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Drink Counting.

Drink counting has been found to be an effective protective behavioral strategy (PBS) to reduce alcohol consumption. However, little is known about attitudes to this strategy and barriers and facilitators to its use. The aim of this study was to explicate these factors and draw comparisons with less efficacious PBSs.

An examination of public support for 35 nutrition interventions across seven countries.

Background: Public support for evidence-based nutrition interventions can be an important determinant of government willingness to develop and implement such interventions. The aim of this study was to assess support for a broad range of nutrition interventions across seven countries: Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Assessed interventions included those relating to food availability, affordability, reformulation, labelling, and promotion.

Public perceptions of responsibility for alcohol control actions by actor type in seven countries.

Many governments are failing to systematically introduce evidence-based alcohol control policies, and debate continues around issues of market freedom and personal responsibility. The aim of this international study was to assess the extent to which the public considers a range of alcohol control policies to be the responsibility of three different categories of actors: government, the private sector, and individuals. Around 1000 respondents from seven countries (Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand, the UK, and the US; n = 7559) completed an online survey assessing demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption status, and perceived responsibility for four alcohol harm-reduction actions relating to alcohol availability, advertising, and public education campaigns.

Evaluation outcomes of an alcohol and pregnancy campaign targeting multiple audiences.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mass media campaign alerting the public to the potential harms of alcohol to unborn babies and to inform future intervention efforts.

Method: An online survey was administered to 889 adult Western Australians. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, typical alcohol use, recognition and perceptions of the campaign, and behavioural changes resulting from campaign exposure.

A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of combinations of 'why to reduce' and 'how to reduce' alcohol harm-reduction communications.

Introduction: Alcohol is a major source of harm worldwide. The aim of this study was to experimentally assess the effects of exposing Australian adult drinkers to combinations of 'why to reduce' and 'how to reduce' alcohol harm-reduction messages.

Methods: Three online surveys were administered over six weeks: Time 1 at baseline (n = 7,995), Time 2 at three weeks post-baseline (n = 4,588), and Time 3 at six weeks post-baseline (n = 2,687).

Attitudinal factors associated with drink counting.

Introduction: 'Count your drinks' is a protective behavioural strategy (PBS) that has been found to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption. Previous research has shown that females, older people and low-risk drinkers are more likely to use this strategy, but little is known about the attitudinal factors associated with engaging in drink counting. This information is important for developing effective interventions to encourage use of this PBS.

Public Perceptions of Harm for Nine Popular Gambling Products.

Gambling causes significant levels of harm globally and is recognised as a serious public health issue. To reduce gambling-related harm, various strategies and policies have been recommended, including decreasing the availability of gambling products, restricting gambling advertising, and implementing public education campaigns. Government willingness to implement such strategies will be influenced by levels of public support, which in turn will be dependent on public perceptions of the harm caused by gambling products.

Gambling-related harms attributable to lotteries products.

Lotteries products (lottery tickets and scratch tickets) are the most popular forms of gambling worldwide, however little research has investigated whether these products are associated with gambling-related harm. The limited available research suggests these products are linked to problematic gambling behaviors and a range of resulting negative outcomes, with certain sub-groups appearing to be more vulnerable to experiencing harms. The present study examined risk of gambling-related harm (measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index) from lotteries products use in an Australian sample of lotteries-only gamblers (n = 540).