An exploration of alcohol research in history is available on the Alcohol Research UK blog. It is taken from a presentation by Professor Virginia Berridge given at the launch of Alcohol Research UK.
It highlights the connection between evidence and policy and practice is relatively recent – a connection which has risen with some force since the 1970s. The post explores:
- temperance investigation and how it became science
- interest in the action of alcohol on the body
- the particular impact of the First World War
- drink driving and science
- new influences coming from the US and WHO
- new directions in Britain after the Second World War
- the rise of ‘evidence’
- international networks
- the former AERC, now run as Alcohol Research UK
Professor Ray Hodgson recently responded to the new Government Alcohol Strategy on behalf of Alcohol Research UK, assessing the evidence-base underpinning some of the key policy proposals.
See here for a 2006 exploration of Current and future alcohol policy: the relevance of history also by Virgina Berridge.
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