Corporate sponsorship diverts research and distorts public policy, report finds

Coca-Cola cited for funding physical activity research to take focus off sugary drinks

Corporate sponsorship of academic studies is diverting researchers away from important public health questions and potentially distorting government policy, a new study has found.

The findings, published by University of Sydney researchers in the American Journal of Public Health on Wednesday, highlight the influence of the alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceutical, food, mining and chemical industries on the agenda of academic researchers.