Ripples of Despair -  Shining a light on the impact of lives lost to alcohol, drugs, and suicide (2024)

Our last report showed that health is shaped by commercial influences, such as the availability, price and marketing of products. Industries like alcohol and gambling often glamorise their products, normalising harmful behaviours and increasing risks, including addiction and suicide (36). These industries also work to undermine awareness of the harm they cause, often funding campaigns with mixed messages, like promoting "responsible use" while embedding their products as central to our social lives (29,30,43).

This influence deepens health inequalities. Gambling venues, for example, are disproportionately located in areas of deprivation, targeting vulnerable communities (44). Gambling-related harms include financial hardship, relationship breakdowns, mental health issues and a higher risk of substance use (45).

There is growing evidence of the relationship between gambling, self-harm, and suicide (45,46), as well as how gambling and substance use exacerbate each other (44,45,47-50).

The workplace is another commercial factor influencing health. Good jobs can provide financial security, build confidence and strengthen social ties, protecting mental health (33). In contrast, poor working conditions or insecure employment can harm wellbeing, increasing stress and anxiety (33).