Author: Lacey J.

One of the main thrusts of contemporary alcohol misuse policies is that early intervention can make a real difference to patterns of problem drinking, as long as healthcare professionals are given the right skills. However, healthcare professionals themselves suggest that they are often unsure of how to raise issues, and feel that they lack the skills or knowledge to do this effectively. This study investigates the perceptions and training needs of health visitors, school nurses, nursery nurses and practice nurses in relation to alcohol misuse primary prevention and the delivery of brief interventions in their day-to-day work.

Authors: Kaner EF, Beyer F, Dickinson HO, Pienaar E, Campbell F, Schlesinger C, Heather N, Saunders J, Burnand B.

Many trials reported that brief interventions are effective in reducing excessive drinking. However, some trials have been criticised for being clinically unrepresentative and unable to inform clinical practice. This article aims at assessing the effectiveness of brief intervention, delivered in general practice or based primary care, to reduce alcohol consumption.

Authors: Kypri K, Langley JD, Saunders JB, Cashell-Smith ML, Herbison P.

There is compelling evidence supporting screening and brief intervention (SBI) for hazardous drinking, yet it remains underused in primary health care. Electronic (computer or Web-based) SBI (e-SBI) offers the prospects of ease and economy of access. We sought to determine whether e-SBI reduces hazardous drinking.

Author: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland

‘Health in All Policies (HiAP): Seizing opportunities, implementing policies’, published by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland, identifies practical opportunities and challenges for raising health on political agendas. It stresses the importance of seizing opportunities for negotiating and implementing feasible policy solutions.

Author: Jonathan Gornall (freelance journalist)

The British Medical Journal (BMJ) published an in-depth article on the GAPA-WHO Statement of Concern issued on February 2013. This BMJ piece received a very positive supporting statement in the form of a rapid response from WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan, which you can see in the following link:

http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f1889?tab=responses

On October 8th 2012, thirteen of world’s largest alcohol producers issued a set of commitments to reduce the harmful use of alcohol worldwide, ostensibly in support of the World Health Organization’s 2010 Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.

The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA), as an independent coalition of public health professionals, health scientists and NGO representatives, submitted a public Statement of Concern to the WHO Secretariat in response to the activities of the global alcohol producers. Discussions on industry involvement at the AMPHORA project final conference have contributed to this document.