Community Approaches for Reducing Alcohol-Related Harms: an Overview of Intervention Strategies, Efficacy, and Considerations for Future Research

Abstract

The study aims to provide an overview of the supply- and demand-side strategies used in community approaches for reducing alcohol-related harms, summarise key findings, and identify areas for consideration in future research. Whole-of-community interventions to reduce alcohol-related harms have largely used active population-level demand-reduction strategies, such as public-health messages, community outreach, and school-based education. Supply-side strategies (such as reducing physical availability of alcohol) and strategies targeted at high-risk populations (such as screening and brief intervention) are underutilised. Some small reductions in alcohol consumption indicators have been identified; however, evaluation is often via self-report and outcome reporting is poor, making appraisal difficult. Community approaches to reducing alcohol-related harm have largely relied upon active demand reduction strategies targeted at the whole population. A challenge for future research is to determine the optimal interaction between higher-level national responses—including changes in jurisdictional policies and legislative controls—and local-level action to maximise intervention reach and cost-effectiveness.