Trygve Ugland, Thomas Gottin, Chad Dubeau, Catherine Paradis
Background: This paper analyses the news media coverage of Canada’s proposed updated alcohol guidelines that were submitted for public consultation in the fall of 2022. Methods: Systematic media tracking was performed from August 29 to October 14, 2022 in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. News articles were included if they mentioned the guidelines, and they were classified as positive, negative, or neutral in tone. Different types of arguments were inductively identified and defined from the raw data. Results: Canada’s proposed updated guidelines received substantial media attention. In total, 870 articles were identified over the nine-week period: 85 positive, 279 negative and 506 neutral articles. A clear majority of the articles were duplicates, and 65 were original (24 positive, 22 negative and 19 neutral articles). Most articles were coded for several arguments. All positive articles evoked the Scientific Argument stating that the guidelines demonstrated that alcohol was harmful and/or more harmful than previously thought. The Access to Information Argument, which highlights that people lack knowledge about the risks of alcohol and that they have the right to know, was also evoked in a majority of the positive articles. Most negative articles criticized the guidelines for overlooking the benefits of alcohol and exaggerating its risks. The Canadian proposed updated guidelines seemed to receive comparatively more attention, and a higher number of positive news articles compared to what has been observed elsewhere. Conclusions: The paper suggests that informative guidance based on people’s right to know about the risks of alcohol rather than firm prescriptive guidelines may generate more positive coverage in the news media. Furthermore, the paper highlights the importance of public health actors adopting a strategic and coordinated knowledge translation and exchange approach to counteract the predominantly negative reception from the commercial and alcohol industry actors.
{"title":"Shaping effective public health messaging for global impact: An analysis of the media coverage of Canada’s proposed updated alcohol guidelines","authors":"Trygve Ugland, Thomas Gottin, Chad Dubeau, Catherine Paradis","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.513","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.513","url":null,"abstract":"Background: This paper analyses the news media coverage of Canada’s proposed updated alcohol guidelines that were submitted for public consultation in the fall of 2022. \u0000Methods: Systematic media tracking was performed from August 29 to October 14, 2022 in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. News articles were included if they mentioned the guidelines, and they were classified as positive, negative, or neutral in tone. Different types of arguments were inductively identified and defined from the raw data. \u0000Results: Canada’s proposed updated guidelines received substantial media attention. In total, 870 articles were identified over the nine-week period: 85 positive, 279 negative and 506 neutral articles. A clear majority of the articles were duplicates, and 65 were original (24 positive, 22 negative and 19 neutral articles). Most articles were coded for several arguments. All positive articles evoked the Scientific Argument stating that the guidelines demonstrated that alcohol was harmful and/or more harmful than previously thought. The Access to Information Argument, which highlights that people lack knowledge about the risks of alcohol and that they have the right to know, was also evoked in a majority of the positive articles. Most negative articles criticized the guidelines for overlooking the benefits of alcohol and exaggerating its risks. The Canadian proposed updated guidelines seemed to receive comparatively more attention, and a higher number of positive news articles compared to what has been observed elsewhere. \u0000Conclusions: The paper suggests that informative guidance based on people’s right to know about the risks of alcohol rather than firm prescriptive guidelines may generate more positive coverage in the news media. Furthermore, the paper highlights the importance of public health actors adopting a strategic and coordinated knowledge translation and exchange approach to counteract the predominantly negative reception from the commercial and alcohol industry actors.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141659679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breanna Willoughby, D. Anderson-Luxford, Yvette Mojica-Perez, Claire Wilkinson, Michala Kowalski, T. Vuong, Emmanuel Kuntsche, S. Callinan, Alison Ritter
Background: Rapid growth in the use of alcohol home delivery services, combined with increases in home drinking during COVID-19, raises potential concerns around increased consumption. This paper aims to assess the relationship between alcohol home delivery use and consumption across levels of COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Methods: A 5-wave longitudinal survey of 586 NSW residents (Mage = 35; 65.3% female) conveniently sampled across 2020. Home delivery usage and the number of daily standard drinks consumed during a typical week were assessed with a survey. Logistic regression models were estimated within each wave to identify predictors of home delivery usage, and hierarchical logistic mixed effects models were estimated to predict purchase source (home delivery vs other) at the occasion level. Results: From baseline, alcohol home delivery use rose significantly during lockdown (20% to 34%), with respondents using home delivery during lockdown and the partial re-opening wave consuming significantly more than those who were not. Use of home delivery was significantly higher during lockdown and the partial re-opening amongst people who drank more heavily, with respondents aged 36 or older more likely to use delivery services in all waves except lockdown. Conclusions: Alcohol home delivery usage increased during lockdown suggesting restrictions impeding on-premise consumption coincided with an increase in home delivery. Associations between persons who drink more heavily and use of home delivery during lockdown and the partial re-opening suggest a subset of the population that may be at increased risk of harmful consumption when accessing alcohol delivery services.
{"title":"Alcohol home delivery usage and its relationship to alcohol consumption in New South Wales during COVID-19","authors":"Breanna Willoughby, D. Anderson-Luxford, Yvette Mojica-Perez, Claire Wilkinson, Michala Kowalski, T. Vuong, Emmanuel Kuntsche, S. Callinan, Alison Ritter","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.501","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.501","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Rapid growth in the use of alcohol home delivery services, combined with increases in home drinking during COVID-19, raises potential concerns around increased consumption. This paper aims to assess the relationship between alcohol home delivery use and consumption across levels of COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. \u0000Methods: A 5-wave longitudinal survey of 586 NSW residents (Mage = 35; 65.3% female) conveniently sampled across 2020. Home delivery usage and the number of daily standard drinks consumed during a typical week were assessed with a survey. Logistic regression models were estimated within each wave to identify predictors of home delivery usage, and hierarchical logistic mixed effects models were estimated to predict purchase source (home delivery vs other) at the occasion level. \u0000Results: From baseline, alcohol home delivery use rose significantly during lockdown (20% to 34%), with respondents using home delivery during lockdown and the partial re-opening wave consuming significantly more than those who were not. Use of home delivery was significantly higher during lockdown and the partial re-opening amongst people who drank more heavily, with respondents aged 36 or older more likely to use delivery services in all waves except lockdown. \u0000Conclusions: Alcohol home delivery usage increased during lockdown suggesting restrictions impeding on-premise consumption coincided with an increase in home delivery. Associations between persons who drink more heavily and use of home delivery during lockdown and the partial re-opening suggest a subset of the population that may be at increased risk of harmful consumption when accessing alcohol delivery services.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141113767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Tanyos, Jason (Heng) Jiang, Rebecca Jenkinson, A. Laslett
Aims: This study explores the prevalence and predictors reported in 2019 by men and women of alcohol-related intimate partner violence (ARIPV), that is, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and being put in fear by intimate partners, when partners were under the influence of alcohol. Methods: Secondary data analysis of the 2019 Australia’s cross-sectional National Drug Strategy Household Survey included 22,015 respondents aged 14 years or older (9,804 men, and 12,211 women). The prevalence of ARIPV and each type of ARIPV (verbal abuse, physical abuse, and being put in fear) in the past year is described, and the predictors of all are analysed using chi-square tests and logistic regressions, overall and separately for men and women. Results: An estimated 3.4% of the Australian adult population (4.7% women, 2.1% men) reported ARIPV in 2019. The prevalence of ARIPV was higher among the participants who were women, middle-aged (35-44 years), had a certificate or diploma, were less advantaged, were divorced, separated, or widowed, single with dependents, living in more regional, and remote areas, and undertook heavy episodic drinking (HED) weekly or less often. Age, marital status, household composition, and weekly, monthly, or ever HED predicted ARIPV for women, while higher education levels and weekly or monthly HED were significant for men. Discussion and conclusions: Women were twice as likely to report intimate partner violence (IPV) from their male partner when they were under the influence of alcohol, as were men. The findings underline that interventions are needed to address IPV from intoxicated partners.
{"title":"Estimates and predictors of alcohol-related harm to intimate partners in Australia An analysis of a nationally representative survey","authors":"A. Tanyos, Jason (Heng) Jiang, Rebecca Jenkinson, A. Laslett","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.497","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.497","url":null,"abstract":"Aims: This study explores the prevalence and predictors reported in 2019 by men and women of alcohol-related intimate partner violence (ARIPV), that is, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and being put in fear by intimate partners, when partners were under the influence of alcohol. \u0000Methods: Secondary data analysis of the 2019 Australia’s cross-sectional National Drug Strategy Household Survey included 22,015 respondents aged 14 years or older (9,804 men, and 12,211 women). The prevalence of ARIPV and each type of ARIPV (verbal abuse, physical abuse, and being put in fear) in the past year is described, and the predictors of all are analysed using chi-square tests and logistic regressions, overall and separately for men and women. \u0000Results: An estimated 3.4% of the Australian adult population (4.7% women, 2.1% men) reported ARIPV in 2019. The prevalence of ARIPV was higher among the participants who were women, middle-aged (35-44 years), had a certificate or diploma, were less advantaged, were divorced, separated, or widowed, single with dependents, living in more regional, and remote areas, and undertook heavy episodic drinking (HED) weekly or less often. Age, marital status, household composition, and weekly, monthly, or ever HED predicted ARIPV for women, while higher education levels and weekly or monthly HED were significant for men. \u0000Discussion and conclusions: Women were twice as likely to report intimate partner violence (IPV) from their male partner when they were under the influence of alcohol, as were men. The findings underline that interventions are needed to address IPV from intoxicated partners.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141115634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alcohol consumption is growing in emerging economies. Thailand is an upper-middle-income emerging economy in Southeast Asia where the alcohol market has been under an oligopoly, which political groups are attempting to amend. The Thai Ministry of Public Health works in close partnership with the non-profit sector in alcohol control, and has recently adapted the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SAFER initiatives as part of the national alcohol agenda. In light of these ongoing changes, we conducted a narrative review with the following objectives: (1) to describe the development of alcohol control policy strategies in Thailand; and (2) to describe the current situation on alcohol policy implementation. We performed a search of the published and grey literature in both Thai and English languages using keywords related to topics of interest, and reviewed data on SAFER's effectiveness using a group of indicators (policy-attributable health outcomes). We found that Thailand has laws and regulations covering various domains of SAFER. However, gaps do exist with regard to regulation of alcohol outlet density, relatively low alcohol sales permit fees, control of online and surrogate marketing of alcoholic products, and enforcement of drinking-and-driving deterrence measures, among others. A review of the indicators showed that annual per capita alcohol consumption (APC) and prevalence of drinkers have remained constant since 2008, whereas the prevalence of binge-drinking has been on a decline since 2014. However, deaths attributable to alcohol have increased in both men and women. The findings of this narrative review may have implications for policymakers and stakeholders in behavioral health.
{"title":"Global alcohol policy implementation in Thailand: A narrative review","authors":"Muhammadfahmee Talek, Polathep Vichitkunakorn, Sawitri Assanangkornchai, Wit Wichaidit","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.443","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.443","url":null,"abstract":"Alcohol consumption is growing in emerging economies. Thailand is an upper-middle-income emerging economy in Southeast Asia where the alcohol market has been under an oligopoly, which political groups are attempting to amend. The Thai Ministry of Public Health works in close partnership with the non-profit sector in alcohol control, and has recently adapted the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SAFER initiatives as part of the national alcohol agenda. In light of these ongoing changes, we conducted a narrative review with the following objectives: (1) to describe the development of alcohol control policy strategies in Thailand; and (2) to describe the current situation on alcohol policy implementation. We performed a search of the published and grey literature in both Thai and English languages using keywords related to topics of interest, and reviewed data on SAFER's effectiveness using a group of indicators (policy-attributable health outcomes). We found that Thailand has laws and regulations covering various domains of SAFER. However, gaps do exist with regard to regulation of alcohol outlet density, relatively low alcohol sales permit fees, control of online and surrogate marketing of alcoholic products, and enforcement of drinking-and-driving deterrence measures, among others. A review of the indicators showed that annual per capita alcohol consumption (APC) and prevalence of drinkers have remained constant since 2008, whereas the prevalence of binge-drinking has been on a decline since 2014. However, deaths attributable to alcohol have increased in both men and women. The findings of this narrative review may have implications for policymakers and stakeholders in behavioral health.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140966584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) in South Africa vehemently opposed Clause 8 of the Basic Education Legislation Amendment Bill (BELA) allowing alcohol sales at schools. This stance was grounded in the 2016 National Liquor Policy, advocating for distance between schools and liquor outlets. SAAPA's multifaceted approach included engaging government, experts, media advocacy, social mobilisation, and active participation in the legislative process. Their efforts, culminating in over 5000 submissions and an oral presentation, led to the removal of Clause 8 in September 2023. This success underscores the pivotal role of civil society in shaping evidence-based policies for public health and child welfare.
{"title":"Safeguarding South African schools: Civil society action against alcohol sales in educational settings","authors":"Terri-Liza Fortein, A. Diedericks","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.475","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.475","url":null,"abstract":"The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) in South Africa vehemently opposed Clause 8 of the Basic Education Legislation Amendment Bill (BELA) allowing alcohol sales at schools. This stance was grounded in the 2016 National Liquor Policy, advocating for distance between schools and liquor outlets. SAAPA's multifaceted approach included engaging government, experts, media advocacy, social mobilisation, and active participation in the legislative process. Their efforts, culminating in over 5000 submissions and an oral presentation, led to the removal of Clause 8 in September 2023. This success underscores the pivotal role of civil society in shaping evidence-based policies for public health and child welfare.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140964126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Boi-Jeneh Jalloh, Habib Taigore Kamara, Alhassan Jalloh, Issah Ali
Objective: To assess the value addition of civil society collaboration with Government in the development of Sierra Leone’s National Alcohol Policy (NAP). Policy Development Process: We reviewed the entire process of lobby, advocacy, and support for the development of the NAP from 2015 when the Siera Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance (SLAPA) was formed to the launch of the NAP in 2023. It also assesses the level of collaboration between FoRUT, SLAPA and Ministry of Health of Health and Sanitation (MoHS). The MoHS coordinated the policy formulation process with substantive technical support from civil society. Results: The quality of the NAP was rated high as it reflected appropriate policy areas and interventions from the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol, the WHO SAFER initiative, and the Global Action Plan for Alcohol Control (202-2030). The NAP is a solid reference material for the development of a new alcohol bill. MoHS recognized FoRUT and SLAPA as the national champions for alcohol control in the country. FoRUT, directly and through SLAPA influenced the process of developing the NAP and its quality through advocacy, collaboration and technical and financial support. Conclusions: The development of the NAP in Sierra Leone truly reflects civil society-government collaboration, built on mutual trust and a common health and development agenda. Connecting national level lobby and advocacy with regional global advocacy actions to prioritize, influence, support, and monitor the alcohol control agenda is a critical catalyst for civil society to advancing the development of NAPs.
{"title":"Alcohol policy development in Sierra Leone: An assessment of the role of civil society","authors":"Boi-Jeneh Jalloh, Habib Taigore Kamara, Alhassan Jalloh, Issah Ali","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.429","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To assess the value addition of civil society collaboration with Government in the development of Sierra Leone’s National Alcohol Policy (NAP). \u0000 \u0000Policy Development Process: We reviewed the entire process of lobby, advocacy, and support for the development of the NAP from 2015 when the Siera Leone Alcohol Policy Alliance (SLAPA) was formed to the launch of the NAP in 2023. It also assesses the level of collaboration between FoRUT, SLAPA and Ministry of Health of Health and Sanitation (MoHS). The MoHS coordinated the policy formulation process with substantive technical support from civil society. \u0000 \u0000Results: The quality of the NAP was rated high as it reflected appropriate policy areas and interventions from the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol, the WHO SAFER initiative, and the Global Action Plan for Alcohol Control (202-2030). The NAP is a solid reference material for the development of a new alcohol bill. MoHS recognized FoRUT and SLAPA as the national champions for alcohol control in the country. FoRUT, directly and through SLAPA influenced the process of developing the NAP and its quality through advocacy, collaboration and technical and financial support. \u0000 \u0000Conclusions: The development of the NAP in Sierra Leone truly reflects civil society-government collaboration, built on mutual trust and a common health and development agenda. Connecting national level lobby and advocacy with regional global advocacy actions to prioritize, influence, support, and monitor the alcohol control agenda is a critical catalyst for civil society to advancing the development of NAPs.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140973755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In this commentary we describe alcohol’s impact on the health of women in low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]. Adding to an earlier rapid review (Laslett & Cook, 2019), we underline several ways in which alcohol adversely affects women’s health, wellbeing and safety in LMICs and highlight important research gaps across global regions. We recommend research and policy initiatives that will begin to address these deficits and seek to encourage discussion on whether different priorities for alcohol research, monitoring, policy and evaluation to those established for men (or the whole population, ignoring gender), and in higher income countries [HICs], should be established to ensure women’s wellbeing is maximised in LMIC.
{"title":"Alcohol’s impact on the health and wellbeing of women in low- and middle-income countries: An integrative review","authors":"Anne-Marie Laslett, Ph.D., Megan Cook, L. Ramsoomar, Neo Morojele, Orratai Waleewong","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.471","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.471","url":null,"abstract":"In this commentary we describe alcohol’s impact on the health of women in low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]. Adding to an earlier rapid review (Laslett & Cook, 2019), we underline several ways in which alcohol adversely affects women’s health, wellbeing and safety in LMICs and highlight important research gaps across global regions. We recommend research and policy initiatives that will begin to address these deficits and seek to encourage discussion on whether different priorities for alcohol research, monitoring, policy and evaluation to those established for men (or the whole population, ignoring gender), and in higher income countries [HICs], should be established to ensure women’s wellbeing is maximised in LMIC.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140973949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Public health advocacy plays a crucial role in promoting and protecting the health and well-being of communities. It involves the efforts of individuals, organizations, communities, and coalitions to influence public health policies, practices, and systems to address health disparities, improve health outcomes, and create healthier environments. Advocacy strategies used in public health include raising awareness about health issues, mobilizing communities, engaging policy- and decision-makers and media, and influencing legislation. Public health advocates utilize various communication channels, such as traditional and social media, and community forums, to disseminate information and build support for their cause. They also collaborate with stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community leaders, to amplify their impact. Public health advocacy has been successful in achieving significant improvements in health outcomes. Examples include the adoption and implementation of smoke-free policies, the adoption of evidence-based alcohol strategy and policy, such as the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan (2022-2030), and many more. However, challenges exist, such as lack of advocacy knowledge and skills among public health workforce, resistance from powerful interest groups (e.g., unhealthy industries), limited resources, and the need for sustained efforts to address complex health issues. In conclusion, public health advocacy is a vital component of efforts to improve population health. It involves advocating for policies and practices that address the social determinants of health and promote health equity. Public health advocates can create positive change and contribute to healthier communities. Continued support and investment in public health advocacy are therefore essential.
{"title":"A growing need for advocacy skills and knowledge in promoting population health and well-being","authors":"Matej Košir","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.463","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.463","url":null,"abstract":"Public health advocacy plays a crucial role in promoting and protecting the health and well-being of communities. It involves the efforts of individuals, organizations, communities, and coalitions to influence public health policies, practices, and systems to address health disparities, improve health outcomes, and create healthier environments. Advocacy strategies used in public health include raising awareness about health issues, mobilizing communities, engaging policy- and decision-makers and media, and influencing legislation. Public health advocates utilize various communication channels, such as traditional and social media, and community forums, to disseminate information and build support for their cause. They also collaborate with stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community leaders, to amplify their impact. Public health advocacy has been successful in achieving significant improvements in health outcomes. Examples include the adoption and implementation of smoke-free policies, the adoption of evidence-based alcohol strategy and policy, such as the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan (2022-2030), and many more. However, challenges exist, such as lack of advocacy knowledge and skills among public health workforce, resistance from powerful interest groups (e.g., unhealthy industries), limited resources, and the need for sustained efforts to address complex health issues. In conclusion, public health advocacy is a vital component of efforts to improve population health. It involves advocating for policies and practices that address the social determinants of health and promote health equity. Public health advocates can create positive change and contribute to healthier communities. Continued support and investment in public health advocacy are therefore essential.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140671219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gina Raderalazasoa, Monica H. Swahn, Adelaide Balenger, David Kalema, Crescence Mukantabana, S. Komba, Aloysius Rukundo, P. Okwarah
Aims: East African countries, classified as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are disproportionately harmed by alcohol consumption, and many countries lack strategies to address and prevent alcohol harm. This study draws on community input from stakeholders involved in alcohol harm prevention in five East African countries to identify organizational structures, capacity and outreach, and strategies for capacity building to address the high burden of alcohol harm more systematically. Design/Setting/Participants: A cross-sectional survey was distributed in 2020 by the East Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance to their member alliances and stakeholders across five countries in East Africa (i.e., Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda). Analyses were computed based on 171 persons/organizations completing the survey. Measures: The East Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance Capacity Assessment Survey (EAAPACAS) included organizational size and funding, research capacity, priorities, and perceptions related to alcohol prevention and harm locally and nationally. Results: The types of organizations, funding structures, and functions dedicated to alcohol prevention vary widely across countries, indicating great diversity and heterogeneity of organizations working on alcohol prevention and advocacy in East Africa. Most organizations relied on volunteer staff. Additionally, 51% reported that they did not know or did not meet their program needs with the available operational funds. Conclusion: These organizations rely primarily on volunteers and face significant barriers in order to achieve their goals with their current budget, primarily derived from foundations and private donations. Overall, these findings indicate that the infrastructure for alcohol prevention is weak and fragmented in countries where national initiatives are limited or underfunded.
{"title":"Organizational structure, capacity and reach of organizations involved in alcohol prevention: An assessment of stakeholders across five countries in East Africa","authors":"Gina Raderalazasoa, Monica H. Swahn, Adelaide Balenger, David Kalema, Crescence Mukantabana, S. Komba, Aloysius Rukundo, P. Okwarah","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.453","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.453","url":null,"abstract":"Aims: East African countries, classified as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are disproportionately harmed by alcohol consumption, and many countries lack strategies to address and prevent alcohol harm. This study draws on community input from stakeholders involved in alcohol harm prevention in five East African countries to identify organizational structures, capacity and outreach, and strategies for capacity building to address the high burden of alcohol harm more systematically. \u0000Design/Setting/Participants: A cross-sectional survey was distributed in 2020 by the East Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance to their member alliances and stakeholders across five countries in East Africa (i.e., Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda). Analyses were computed based on 171 persons/organizations completing the survey. \u0000Measures: The East Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance Capacity Assessment Survey (EAAPACAS) included organizational size and funding, research capacity, priorities, and perceptions related to alcohol prevention and harm locally and nationally. \u0000Results: The types of organizations, funding structures, and functions dedicated to alcohol prevention vary widely across countries, indicating great diversity and heterogeneity of organizations working on alcohol prevention and advocacy in East Africa. Most organizations relied on volunteer staff. Additionally, 51% reported that they did not know or did not meet their program needs with the available operational funds. \u0000Conclusion: These organizations rely primarily on volunteers and face significant barriers in order to achieve their goals with their current budget, primarily derived from foundations and private donations. Overall, these findings indicate that the infrastructure for alcohol prevention is weak and fragmented in countries where national initiatives are limited or underfunded.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140733531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract This article describes the relevance of the book, Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity to policy development in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs). Per capita alcohol consumption is growing in the emerging economies of Asia and Africa, and it is already high in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the context of limited policy controls, this expansion has created a “perfect storm” driving increased alcohol consumption and harms. Along with the alcohol industry’s attempts to subvert evidence-based policy, these trends signal the need for the kinds of policy solutions proposed in the book. Implications for global health are also discussed.
{"title":"Alcohol policy in the low- and middle-income countries","authors":"Thomas Babor, Ph.D.","doi":"10.7895/ijadr.469","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.469","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract \u0000This article describes the relevance of the book, Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity to policy development in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs). Per capita alcohol consumption is growing in the emerging economies of Asia and Africa, and it is already high in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the context of limited policy controls, this expansion has created a “perfect storm” driving increased alcohol consumption and harms. Along with the alcohol industry’s attempts to subvert evidence-based policy, these trends signal the need for the kinds of policy solutions proposed in the book. Implications for global health are also discussed.","PeriodicalId":73420,"journal":{"name":"International journal of alcohol and drug research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140365148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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