Alcohol Research UK have published a number of new reports, including flagship grant evaluations:
Understanding the alcohol harm paradox
People with low individual or neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES) are at greater risk from the harmful effects of alcohol, although the reasons behind this remain open to debate. In a flagship grant, the Liverpool John Moores University Centre for Public Health undertook research and analysis to explore the reasons why.
Although unable to comprehensively explain the 'alcohol harm paradox', a number of key areas are explored within the study. It found that although those in different SES groups do not differ in the unit amount and frequency of alcohol drunk across the week, there are differences in ‘binge drinking’, beverage choice, and patterns of heavy drinking.
These differences may underpin why lower SES is associated with an almost two fold greater risk of alcohol related death. Increased risk of head and neck cancers, strokes, hypertension, liver disease and pre-term birth are particular risks for lower SES, even accounting for other factors such as smoking and diet. The report says further work is needed before policy interventions to address the alcohol harm paradox can be recommended but population approaches such as minimum pricing and robust licensing legislation should still be pursued.
Read the alcohol insight here or the full report.
Randomised trial evaluation of the In:tuition programme
Drinkaware’s school-based In:tuition life skills and alcohol education intervention programme was evaluated to assess impact on a number of outcomes including drinking frequency and resistance to peer pressure skills. Two separate cluster-randomised trials included one for 10-11 year olds in primary schools, and another for 12-13 year olds in secondary schools.
The in:tuition programme consists of a series of lessons and home tasks and was based on life skills programmes such as ‘Unplugged’ which had previously indicated efficacy. Alcohol is the main element of the programme but it also includes other areas such as attention to attitudes and behaviour, the influence of peers, communication skills. The main aim is to delay the age of first alcoholic drink.
However the evaluation found no impact on primary outcomes and implementation of the programme identified a range of challenges. The conclusion states, 'there was little evidence of positive – or indeed negative – impact of the programme. Pupils in schools which delivered the intervention did no better – or worse – than those in schools doing their normal Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum.'
Read the alcohol insight here or the full report.
Constructing alcohol identities: the role of Social Network Sites (SNS) in young peoples’ drinking cultures
Social Network Sites (SNS) mean young people are now 'exposed to and interact with new forms of innovative online alcohol marketing and peer created content relating to alcohol'. The research aimed to understand 'the role and place of SNS in young people’s drinking culture, and in the construction of alcohol-related identities in a peer group context.'
The study reveals the complexity of young people's identities, expression and engagement with alcohol-related activities and messages vis SNS. Properly understanding this complex and ever-changing digital environment is necessary in properly responding to young people's drinking. However the report questions the potential for health based SNS messaging which would need to respond to a variety of drinking groups and compete in an area 'saturated with advanced and well-funded alcohol marketing'.
Read the alcohol insight here or the full report.
Other recent reports include:
See here for all Alcohol Research UK publications.
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